How to Ensure Effective Color in Today’s Manufacturing Processes (And why it’s more Important Than Ever Today)

By Shawn Mulligan, Datacolor

Scientists will describe color as the quality of an object with respect to light. But the human response to color is very emotional. Precisely because of this blend of science and emotion, color remains difficult to manage across the entire manufacturing supply chain cycle. Many technological advances have been developed in the most significant areas of color development – color matching and color quality control.

The latest advances in color technology utilize the power of today’s best web-based solutions – completely, accurately, and electronically. Ultimately, this shortens time to market, reduces costs, and improves color quality.

Perhaps the most powerful, inclusive aspect of the new electronic environment is that color can now be communicated digitally and assessed visually. Receivers of a virtual color sample get more than a set of numbers – rather, they precisely see the color on screen that corresponds to the colorimetric data.

The electronic color channel does not completely change the traditional method of color control as much as it streamlines and enhances it. The new system utilizes familiar tools such as the most advanced color-measuring instruments (spectrophotometers), as well as the latest color management software. As advanced as all other systems components may be, however, the efficacy of electronic color communication rests solely on an ability to reproduce the color accurately on screen.

This is possible only by a high degree of monitor calibration and the right color control software designed specifically for this medium. The monitors in the new virtual supply network are calibrated to such a precise extent that a user can be confident of making the same decisions when viewing electronic samples as they would by viewing physical ones.

In many manufacturing operations, color serves as a fundamental indicator of quality. Delivering material that is off-color can risk future business. Failing to get the color right "the first time" can drive up labor and raw materials costs significantly. The latest color technology, particularly when housed within a virtual color environment, delivers new efficiencies for the entire supply and throughout the complete production cycle from mind to market.

For a complete version of this paper, please contact SMulligan@datacolor.com

About the author
Shawn Mulligan is Marketing Manager of Datacolor, Inc, an industry leader in color management and color control for the textile, paint, printing, plastics, coatings and digital color industries. Datacolor is located in Lawrenceville, NJ. More information on the company can be found at http://www.datacolor.com.