Datacolor’s ColorReader in use at Midvinter Woodworks – Professional carpenter from Berlin/Germany

What is your company’s and hence your work’s main focus?

Our focus is on creating custom and built-in furniture and kitchens. I also like to refurbish old furniture – this is often just as expensive as buying a new product, but much more sustainable.

How long have you used Datacolor’s ColorReader and how did you become aware of it?

I started using it in August 2018, shortly after founding my craftsman business. I was looking for color measuring devices and became aware of the device through relevant carpentry forums. After careful comparison of all features and the price-performance ratio with competing products, I decided to give it a try.

What are the advantages of using ColorReader in your daily work?

It’s small, very easy to use via app, and gives me accurate results for NCS and RAL colors. It is also much cheaper than comparable products from other manufacturers. Especially as a start-up, you have to keep a close eye on your expenses.

Has the investment in ColorReader already paid off for you?

Absolutely! It saves me from buying and, above all, carrying around a dozen different color fan decks because it identifies all the relevant NCS and RAL palettes. Exact color determination on location at the customer’s place or checking a paint sample is done in a minute.

Can you describe a project or your daily work routine in which you use ColorReader?

One example is when I replace kitchen cabinets or add a new cabinet to an existing kitchen design – regardless of whether it’s painted or solid-color HPL-covered. One customer had some water damage to some old front panels in their kitchen that required replacement in exactly the same color. I took out my ColorReader, measured the front panels and voilà, I immediately got the exact color and could have the paint mixed or order the laminate in the precise color.

How do customers react to ColorReader?

I often think that using it is like magic for many customers! 😊 Seriously, for the customers it provides the level of professionalism and accuracy that they expect from their carpenter.

Which features of ColorReader do you usually use?

Most of the time I use the color matching to NCS and RAL colors, but it is also very handy to be able to save your own project-related palettes on the smartphone and to display complementary colors.

For me, it’s practical and particularly impressive to the customer during furniture design or on-site color consulting. I can use the colors measured with ColorReader immediately when doing the design or planning the room in my CAD program and often even show the customer a rendering with the desired colors on site. This is really helpful to the customer when they have to make a color preference decision.

Which function of the ColorReader are you particularly fond of?

I really like that it provides an accurate degree of color matching and shows the three closest matching alternatives. This is a good way to approach the hue even when I have to deal with more difficult surfaces.

Can you tell us another area of use application outside of your work that comes to mind?

I use it when I stumble across color inspiration somewhere: like if there’s a wall color or a furniture color in a restaurant or hotel that I like. I quickly scan the color and save it so I have it on hand.

What improvements would you like to see for the product?

A compact heavy-duty plastic case would be great. I have made Systainer inserts for my measuring instruments, but I don’t always want to drag around the complete Systainer when I need the ColorReader only.

Midvinter focuses on creating one-of-a-kind furniture pieces, interior design and kitchens for private and commercial use as well as other carpentry services.

As a modern woodworking company, when designing individual furniture, kitchens and interior fittings Midvinter offers color consulting, supported by the latest technology.