Understanding Data color

Understanding Datacolor

Datacolor is an instrument which works by emitting a single or multiple wavelengths on to substrate

(target) and then records the reflectance values. Afterwards uses these values to create a skeleton or
graph which shows how substrate has behaved with varying wavelength.  Typical wavelength used here
is of visible region that is of 400nm to 700nm. For example let say we are trying to read values of a black
fabric through data color. As, we know black color absorb every wavelength which fall on to it. That’s why
it appears black,

Behavior of Black fabric

Same happens with data color graph and it shows zero or near to no reflectance value. We will be getting
results reverse we try to repeat this experiment with white fabric and we will be having maximum
reflectance value.

Behavior of White Fabric

Visible region of Electromagnetic waves covers from 400 to 700nm and colors vary on different
wavelength as we move from 400 to 700nm we see Yellow toRed .

%Reflectance value for green color and graph will be like

Behavior of Green fabric

Data color useses formula or must say combination of formulas to provide result. Earlier in use formula
was called CIELAB.  Which lacks exact coorelation with visual results so modified version of this formula
is now in use which is called CMC and value obtained from this formula is CMC Value. If this value is
lower than 0.6. shade is supposed to be passing and very near to the standard value and if its between
0.6 to 0.9 its is stated as warn and above 0.9 it is expressed as fail and resultantly idea is that shade of
sample or trial is much far away from the standard. CMC formula utilizes many factors like balance of
white and black, Primary colors, Chroma and Hue of color. That’s why its results are quite near to the
visual approach by naked eye.
Data color is calibrated each time system(Computer) is started. This is done to ensure of good health of
bulb and other peripherals. Procedure is very simple calibration is started with black standard to have
fixed zero reflectance value. In second stage a white standard is measured to set the reflectance value to
maximum and in final Stage, a standard whose values has already been stored into standard is measured
and if this new standard’s value matches the stored value it means Datacolor has been calibrated on
failure on has to repeat the procedure to have Datacolorcalibrated before starting work.
Report of Datacolor:
Report of Datacolor is just like an X-Ray report and as X-Ray reports helps doctor to identify the problem
area similarly report of datacolor helps the dyer of printer to understand what part is missing and how to
fix the issue.

Uses of Datacolor:

1. Datacolor has wide range of utilization including 

2. comparison of standards with batches to evaluate the color strength , 
3. CMC Value in order to compare standard dyes, pigments with Trials.
4. Entering data of dyes with different concentrations to build a data bank which will later on help to
make matching recipes with combination of dyes or pigments.
5. ISO standard requirement ISO 150 AO2 can be fulfilled by using Datacolor and measuring
change of shade and rate of staining.
6. Calculating whiteness reports after application of OBA.