Identification Of Measurement Parameters For Effective Color Communication

In a physical measurement of weight or volume, there is only 1 measurement parameter that can affect the measured values — the expression of units in American Standard or metric. In a psycho-physical measurement that quantifies human color perception, complete color quantification is always at least three numbers with six measurement parameters. Changing any of the parameters will affect the color values, so the first step is to clearly define those parameters.

If you adequately identify your measurement methodology to include the six parameters you will be able to communicate numerical color values effectively to another site so that they can replicate the values. Once everyone understands this concept of making the parameters the same for inter-instrument agreement and effective communication, it is possible to shorten the form to something that will fit in a few lines on a spec sheet, such as: CIE L*, a*, b* target and tolerances, D65°/10°, 45°/0° geometry, sample preparation, sample presentation including area of view, and number of readings to average.