Computer colour matching

(CCM)

Computer Color Matching System (CCMS):

Computer Color Matching (CCM) is the instrumental
color formulation based on recipe calculation using the
spectrophotometric properties of dyestuff and fibers.
The basic three things are important in CCMS:
Color measurement Instrument (Spectrophotometers).
Reflectance (R%) from a mixture of Dyes or Pigments
applied in a specific way.
Optical model of color vision to closeness of the color
matching (CIE L*A*B).

Functions of Computer Color Matching System:

The following works can be done by using CCMS
Color match prediction.
Color difference calculation.
Determine metamerism.
Pass/Fail option.
Color fastness rating.
Cost Comparison.
Strength evaluation of dyes.
Whiteness indices.
Reflectance curve and K/S curve.
Production of Shade library.
Color strength

4. Pass / Fail option:

The sample which is dyed according to the recipe
of the CCMS is it matches with the buyers sample
that could be calculate by this system.
If the dyed sample fulfill the requirements then
CCMS gives pass decision and if cant then it gives
fail decision. So, pass-fail can be decided by
CCMS.
5. Color Fastness Rating:
Color fastness can be calculates by CCMS. There is
different color fastness rating (1-5/1-8). CCMS
analyze the color fastness and gives result.

6. Cost Comparison:
Cost of the produced sample can be compare with others. It
also helps to choose the right dyes for dyeing.

7. Strength Evaluation of Dyes:

It is important to evaluate the strength of the dyes which will
be used for production.
All of the dyes have not same strength. Dyes strength effects
the concentration of dyes which will be used for dyeing.

8. Whiteness Indices:
Whiteness Indices also maintained in CCMS.

9. Reflectance Curve and K/S Curve:

Reflectance curve also formed for specific shade by which we
can determine the reflection capability of that shade.

10. Production of Shade Library:

Computer color matching system also store the
recipe of the dyeing for specific shade.
This shade library helps to find out the different
documents against that shade.
It is done both for the shade of sample and bulk dyed
sample.
11. Color Strength:
Computer color matching system also determine the
color strength of the sample.

Working Procedure of Computer Color Matching

Systems ( CCMS ):
The working procedure of CCMS which is used for
dyeing lab to match the shade of the products.
Generally buyer gives a fabric sample swatch or Panton
number of a specific shade to the producer.
Producer gives the fabric sample to lab dip development
department to match the shade of the fabric.
After getting the sample they analyze the color of the
sample manually.
In the other hand they can take help from the computer
color matching system.

 At first it needs to fit the sample to the spectrophotometer which

analyzes the depth of the shade and it shows the results of the
color depth.
At the same time it needs to determine the color combination
by which you want to dye the fabric.
Then it will generate some dyeing recipe which is nearly same.
Here it needs to determine the amount of chemicals which you
want to use during dyeing.

 After formation of dyeing recipe it needs to dye the sample with

stock solution.
Then sample should dye according to the dyeing procedure.
After finishing the sample dyeing it needs to compare the dyed
sample with the buyer sample.
For this reason dyed sample are entered to the spectrophotometer
to compare the sample with the buyer sample.
Then CCMS gives the pass fail results.
If the dyed sample match with the buyer sample than CCMS gives
pass results.

 After that, dyed samples send to the customer or buyer.

After getting the approval from the buyer producer goes for the
bulk production.
If the dyed sample does not match with the buyer sample than
the CCMS analyses the color difference and correct the recipe.
Then another sample dyeing is carried out for matching the
shade of the sample.

Advantages of Computer Color Matching System

(CCMS) :
Customers get the exact shade wanted with his
knowledge of degree of metamerism.
Customers often have a choice of 10-20 formulation that
will match color. By taking costing, availability of dyes,
and auxiliaries into account, one can choose a best
swatch.
3 to 300 times faster than manual color matching.
Limited range of stock color needed.

Spectrophotometer
It is a photometric device that measures
spectral transmittance,
spectral reflectance relative spectral emitance.
It compares light leaving from the object with that
incident on it at each wavelength.
According to Beer's law, the amount of light absorbed by
a medium is proportional to the concentration of the
absorbing material or solute present.

 Thus the concentration of a colored solute in a

solution may be determined in the lab by measuring
the absorbency of light at a given wavelength.
Wavelength (often abbreviated as lambda) is
measured in nm.
The spectrophotometer allows selection of a
wavelength pass through the solution.
Usually, the wavelength chosen which corresponds
to the absorption maximum of the solute .

Absorption Spectroscopic methods of analysis rank among

the most widespread and powerful tools for quantitative
analysis.
The use of a spectrophotometer to determine the extent of
absorption of various wavelengths of visible light by a given
solution is commonly known as colorimetry.
This method is used to determine concentrations of various
chemicals which can give colours either directly or after
addition of some other chemicals.

The Instrument of Spectrophotometer:

All spectrophotometer instruments designed to measure
the absorption of radiant energy have the basic
components as follows :
1. A stable source of radiant energy (Light);
2. A wavelength selector to isolate a desired
wavelength from the source (filter or
monochromator);
3. Transparent container (cuvette) for the sample
and the blank;
4. A radiation detector (phototube) to convert the
radiant energy received to a measurable signal;
and a readout device that displays the signal
from the detector.

The energy source is to provide a stable source of light

radiation, whereas the wavelength selector permits separation
of radiation of the desired wavelength from other radiation.
Light radiation passes through a glass container with sample.
The detector measures the energy after it has passed through
the sample.
The readout device calculates the amount of light absorbed
by the sample displays the signal from the detector as
absorbance or transmission.

The spectrophotometers which are used for such measurements

may vary from simple and relatively inexpensive colorimeters
to

highly

sophisticated

and

expensive

instruments

that

automatically scan the ability of a solution to absorb radiation

over a wide range of wavelengths and record the results of these
measurements.
One instrument cannot be used to measure absorbance at all
wavelengths because a given energy source and energy detector is
suitable for use over only a limited range of wavelengths.

Both filters and monochromators are used to restrict

the radiation wavelength.
Photometers make use of filters, which function by
absorbing large portions of the spectrum while
transmitting relatively limited wavelength regions.
Spectrophotometers are instruments equipped with
monochromators that permit the continuous variation
and selection of wavelength.
The effective bandwidth of a monochromator that is
satisfactory for most applications is about from 1 to 5
nm.

 The sample containers, cells or cuvettes, must be fabricated from

material that is transparent to radiation in the spectral region of
interest.
The commonly used materials for different wave length regions
are:
Quartz or fused silica: UV to 2 mm in I R
Silicate glass: Above 350 nm to 2 mm in I R
Plastic: visible region
Polished NaCI or AgCI: Wave lengths longer than 2mm

 Cuvettes or cells are provided in pairs that have been carefully

matched to make possible the transmission through the solvent
and the sample.
Accurate spectrophotometric analysis requires the use of good
quality, matched cells.
These should be regularly checked against one another to
detect differences that can arise from scratches, etching and
wear.
The most common cell path for UV-visible region is 1 cm.
For reasons of economy, cylindrical cells are frequently used.
Care must be taken to duplicate the position of such cells with
respect to the light path;

General Measurement Procedures :

As explained above, the Beer-Lambert Law
forms the basis of the measurement procedure.
The amount of light radiation absorbed by a
compound is directly related to the
concentration of the compound.

The general measurement procedure consists of

5 steps:
Prepare samples to make colored compound
Make series of standard solutions of known
concentrations and treat them in the same manner
as the sample for making colored compounds
Set spectrophotometer to l of maximum light
absorption
Measure light absorbance of standards
standard
curve:
Absorbance
vs.
Plot
Concentration,

Metamerism-Index
The Metamerism-Index (MI) will show the probability
that two samples will show the same color difference
under two different illuminants (represented by the
first and second illuminant)

L*1, a*1, b*1 are the Delta CIE Lab* color coordinates
between Standard and Sample for the first illuminant
L*2, a*2 ,b*2are the Delta CIE Lab* color coordinates
between Standard and Sample for the second
illuminant

Color Inconsistency
This attribute indicates a color change in the sample
(without any reference to the standard) under different
illuminants. This property is sometimes known as
"flare."
CIE 1976 (L*, a*, b*) color space (CIELAB)
CIE L*a*b* (CIELAB) is color space specified by the
CIE International Commission on Illumination (French
Commission internationale de l'clairage).
It describes all the colors visible to the human eye and
was created to serve as a device independent model to
be used as a reference.

 The three coordinates of CIELAB represent the

lightness of the color (L* = 0 yields black and
L* = 100 indicates diffuse white; specular
white may be higher).
Its position between red/magenta and green (a*,
negative values indicate green while positive
values indicate magenta) and
Its position between yellow and blue (b*,
negative values indicate blue and positive
values indicate yellow).

 The asterisk (*) after L, a and b are part of the

full name, since they represent L*, a* and b
Since the L*a*b* model is a three-dimensional
model, it can only be represented properly in a
three-dimensional space.
Because the red/green and yellow/blue opponent
channels are computed as differences of lightness
transformations of (putative) cone responses,
CIELAB is a chromatic value color space.

CIE L*C*H*
The L* axis represents Lightness.It ranges from L* = 0
yields black and L* = 100 indicates diffuse white.
The C* axis represents Chroma or "saturation". This
ranges from 0 at the centre of the circle, which is
completely unsaturated (i.e. a neutral grey, black or
white) to 100 or more at the edge of the circle for very
high Chroma (saturation) or "color purity".
The h* describes the hue angle. It ranges from 0 to 360
h=0 = red / h=90 = yellow / h=180=green /
h=270 = blue

CIE Lab* Color Attributes

L*

Represents a standard or sample's position on the lightness axis in either

CIELAB or CIELCH color space. This attribute is also available in
Strength Adjusted form.

a*

Represents a standard or sample's position on the green/red axis in

CIELAB color space, green being in the negative direction and red being
in the positive direction. This attribute is also available in Strength
Adjusted form.

b*

Represents a standard or sample's position on the blue/yellow axis in

CIELAB color space, blue being in the negative direction and yellow
being in the positive direction. This attribute is also available in Strength
Adjusted form

C*

Represents a standard or sample's chroma value in CIELCH color space.

This attribute is also available in Strength Adjusted form.

h*

Represents a standard or sample's hue value in CIELCH color space. This

attribute is also available in Strength Adjusted form.

CIE Lab* Color Difference Attributes

The delta value for the L* attribute. This attribute is also
DL*
available in Strength Adjusted form.
Da*

The delta value for the a* attribute. This attribute is also

available in Strength Adjusted form

Db*

The delta value for the b* attribute. This attribute is also

available in Strength Adjusted form.

DC*

The delta value for the C* attribute. This attribute is also

available in Strength Adjusted form

The delta value for the h* attribute. This attribute is also

Dh*
available in Strength Adjusted form.
The distance a sample falls from the standard in CIE* color
DE* space using a simple, straight-line calculation. This attribute
is also available in Strength Adjusted form.

CIE94
The 1976 definition was extended to address perceptual
non-uniformities, whileretaining the L*a*b* color
space, by the introduction of application-specific
weights derived from an automotive paint test's
tolerance data.
E (1994) is defined in the L*C*h* color space with
differences in lightness, chroma and hue calculated from
L*a*b* coordinates.
Given a reference color L*1,a*1, b*1 and another color
L*2,a*2,b*2 , the difference is:

 Where the K-values depend on the

application

Hunter Lab
The Hunter Lab color scale was developed in the 50s
and 60s. There were several permutations of the
Hunter Lab color scale until the current formulas were
released in 1966.
The Hunter Lab color space is organized in a cube
form.
The L axis runs from the top to the bottom. The
maximum for L is 100 (for a perfect reflecting diffuser)
while the minimum is 0.
The a and b axes have no specific numeric limits.
Positive a is red and negative a is green.
Positive b is yellow and negative b is blue.

Hunter Lab Color Space attributes

Represents a standard or sample's position on the
lightness axis in Hunter color space. This attribute is
also available in Strength Adjusted form.

Represents a standard or sample's position on the

green/red axis in Hunter color space. This attribute is
also available in Strength Adjusted form

Represents a standard or sample's position on the

blue/yellow axis in Hunter color space. This attribute
is also available in Strength Adjusted form.

DL

Hunter Lab Color Difference attributes

The delta value for the L component of Hunter
color space.

Da

The delta value for the a component of Hunter

color space.

Db

The delta value for the b component of Hunter

color space

DEh The distance a sample falls from the standard in

Hunter color space

Chromaticity Coordinates
To simplify , the coordinates X,Y,Z, could be divided
by X+Y+Z to get CHROMATICIRY COORDINATES
(x,y,z) which adds up to one.
x = X / (X+Y+Z ) ,
y = Y / (X+Y+Z) and
z = Z/ ((X+Y+Z )
x+y+z=1
Hence it is sufficient to know x and y.

Instrumental Match
Prediction

Kubelka-Munk equations
The mathematical basis for all color matching software
is the Kubelka-Munk series of equations.
These equations state that for opaque samples such as
textile materials, the ratio of total light absorbed and
scattered by a mixture of dyes is equal to the sum of
the ratios of light absorbed and scattered by the dyes
measured separately.
Where absorption is defined as "K" and scattering is
defined as "S", Kubelka-Munk states that:
(K/S) mixture = (K/S) dye 1 + (K/S) dye 2 + (K/S) dye
3 + ...

 K/S is not a readily measurable quantity, but it can be

calculated from the reflectance of a sample "R" by the
Kubelka-Munk equation that states
K/S = ( 1 - R ) _ / 2R
If the K/S of a target color is measured at several
wavelengths, the concentrations of each dye can be
calculated by trial and error from primary dyeing to
achieve the closest match.
A computer color matching program is capable of
performing hundreds of iterations in a short period of
time to produce the initial dye concentrations.

 As an example, if a sample has a reflectance of

20% at a wavelength of 500nm, then the K/S
can be calculated as:
K/S = ( 1 - 0.2) _ / 2(0.2) = 1.6

Delta E (E)
Delta E is defined as the difference between two colors in an
L*a*b* color space.
As the values determined are based on a mathematical formula, it
is important that the type of color formula is taken into account
when comparing the values.
In Color Verifier alone, there are three different formulas to
choose from, each producing different results.
The CIE L*a*b* formula used in the proofing market calculates
the Euclidian distance, i.e. purely the distance between two points
in a three-dimensional color space.
The actual position of the points themselves is irrelevant.

 The following delta E values are valid universally:

E value

Meaning

0-1

A normally invisible difference

1-2

Very small difference,

obvious to a trained eye

only

2 - 3.5

Medium difference, also obvious

to an untrained eye

3.5 - 5
>6

An obvious difference
A very obvious difference