Mark Vruno

Why do colors sometimes fail to match visually when they match instrumentally?
February 6, 2008

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Question: Why do colors sometimes fail to match visually when they match instrumentally?


Dr. Andreas Kraushaar

Answer: We turn to the German-based Fogra Graphic Technology Research Assn., which promotes print engineering and its future-oriented technologies in the fields of research, development and application. Using proper calibration, outstanding color accuracy—within the capability of modern hand-held measuring devices—can be achieved with the current generation of proofing systems, says prepress/ICC guru Andreas Kraushaar, PhD, of Fuji Photo Film. It is possible for high-quality proof printing systems, when using just one measurement device, to attain a colormetric accuracy that cannot be improved any more measurably. Yet distinct visual differences are still observed in the color-matching practice.

Come into the Light
The most obvious reason for lacking agreement between the measured and the visual color difference lies in non-standard lighting. Lighting in typical viewing booths used for color matching and that used in color-measurement devices differe signficantly. Colorimetry also plays a role. For details, see Dr. Kraushaar's full report in the December 2007 issue of Fogra News No. 5.

Posted by Mark Vruno on February 6, 2008 | Comments (0)