Laboratory and portable colorimeters: how can colour be made measurable and comparable?

From quality control to R&D, colourimeters make colour measurable, traceable and comparable. In seconds they deliver CIE L*a*b* values, ?E and pass/fail judgements under simulated illuminants (D65, A…) with a 2°/10° standard observer. Whether handheld for the shop floor or benchtop for the laboratory, their 45°/0° or d/8 geometry secures repeatability. With USB/Bluetooth connectivity and supplied with certified white standards, they streamline your workflows, reduce rejects and harmonise batches. ?E00 tolerance profiles, standard libraries and time-stamped reports round off a robust QA process compliant with CIE/ISO standards.

What are the different types of chroma meters, and how do you choose the right one?

Two families structure the category: the portable chroma meter and the benchtop chroma meter. The former prioritises mobility (shopfloor, incoming inspection, field): long-lasting battery, rugged housing, small apertures (? 4–8 mm) for complex parts. Benchtop models focus on stability: superior repeatability, wider apertures (up to 20 mm), positioning fixtures and fine control of measurement conditions. Depending on the model, geometry is 45°/0° (minimises gloss influence) or d/8 with an integrating sphere (SCI/SCE to include/mask gloss). Both output L*a*b*, L*C*h, Yxy and compute ?E (CIELAB, 94, 00).

Key selection criteria: sample nature (flat, curved, textile, film; liquids with cuvette/sample holder), geometry required by your specifications or internal standards, optical aperture, number of illuminants (D65, A, F11…), 2°/10° observer, repeatability and inter-instrument agreement, pass/fail modes, connectivity (USB, Bluetooth, LIMS export), and ergonomics (form factor, guidance, display). For effect finishes (metallic, pearlescent, fluorescence/UV), a spectrophotometer may be preferable; for fast QC of opaque colours, the chroma meter is the straightforward, efficient solution.

Type	Principle	Applications
Benchtop chroma meter	Stationary, 45°/0° or d/8 geometry, large apertures	QC/R&D laboratory, test series, accessories for powders/liquids
Portable chroma meter	Battery powered, compact, small apertures	In situ checks, goods-in inspection, production and field
Accessories	Cuvettes, sample holders, centring jigs	Small/curved parts, textiles, films, liquids

In which fields is a colourimeter used?

The chroma meter is used wherever visual consistency matters and where a number beats the naked eye.
• Food & beverage : shade tracking (chocolate, sauces, juices), ripening/maturation, colour stability.
• Pharmaceuticals : uniformity of tablets/capsules, coating quality, inter-batch control.
• Cosmetics : foundation shades, lipsticks, oxidation control.
• Plastics/Coatings/Inks : masterbatch development, in-house colour standard control, process tuning.
• Textiles and leather : colour matching, dye-bath monitoring.
• Environment : colour intensity of waters/effluents (internal indices).
• Packaging & printing : colour consistency across runs and substrates.
Day to day: batch release, incoming materials inspection, scale-up and scrap reduction through objective decision-making (tolerances ?E00).

Available types of chroma meters

Portable chromameter

Frequently asked questions about colourimeters

What’s the difference between a colourimeter and a spectrophotometer?
The colourimeter reads tristimulus values and ?E quickly. A spectrophotometer delivers the full spectrum, handles special-effect/UV influences better and offers more analysis options.

45°/0° or d/8: which should I choose?
A 45°/0° geometry minimises gloss influence and aligns with human vision. A d/8 sphere (SCI/SCE) lets you include or exclude the specular gloss. Choose according to your internal SOPs.

Which optical aperture should I use?
Match it to size/texture: 4–8 mm for small parts or patterns; 10–20 mm for heterogeneous surfaces. Keep the same aperture when comparing results.

How is calibration performed?
Daily or at the start of shift, on a certified white tile (clean, undamaged). Periodically verify against a working standard and log any drift.

Can I measure liquids?
Yes, with a cuvette or suitable cell, bubble-free, and with the windows cleaned. For transparent/fluorescent samples, prefer a sphere instrument or a spectrophotometer.

Which ?E formula should I use?
By default ?E*ab; for modern tolerances, ?E00 better reflects visual perception. Align with customer/standard requirements and stick to a single formula per project.