What is a SpectroDensitometer?

By: Bruce Leigh Myers, Ph.D. Color reflection densitometers have been used for many years in the graphic communications and printing industry and are likely the most widely adopted type of color measurement instrument for process control especially when dealing with four-color process (CMYK) printing. In the 1990’s, instruments began to be utilized that, while providing densitometric information, were referred to as “SpectroDensitometers.” This has led to confusion by some and has been regarded as hyperbolic…

CIE ΔE* (Color Difference) Equations

Pictured above is a combination handheld spectrophotometer and densitometer, the SpectroDens 4.  The intent of using deltaE (ΔE) is to describe the distance between two colors. The Just Noticeable Difference (JND) of deltaE is usually 1. In other words, if two colors have a deltaE less than 1 it is imperceptible and larger than 1 is perceivable. Unfortunately, due to the nature of human color perception (our eyes), the visual perception of colors is different….

What is the Process Free (or Processless) Plate and What to Consider When Switching?

Photo Credit: Kodak Sonora Process Free Plates Since the introduction of the CTP (Computer-to-plate) plate from AGFA in 1993, it only took 2 years for more than 50 CTP systems to be brought to the DRUPA exhibition held in 1995. Nowadays, if you walk into a litho offset shop, you will definitely find a CTP system somewhere, usually in a separate CTP room or sharing space within the prepress department. Just like any equipment you…

5 Advantages of Using an Automatic Scanning Color Spectrophotometer

Automate your color control process An automatic scanning color spectrophotometer like the SpectroDrive is a perfect tool to aid in the task of automating your color control process. It is designed to scan entire press sheet color bars in a matter of seconds thus eliminating the need for manual measurements via a handheld device. These devices are fast, accurate, and can also scan color bars anywhere on the press sheet. Collect & distribute data The…