Identifying the Proper Instrument Geometry for Measuring Metallic Inks

Timothy A. Mouw - X-Rite Incorporated

There has long been a debate over the proper type of instrument (spectrophotometer) geometry to
use when measuring metallic inks. These inks typically contain aluminum flake pigments, either as a
separate layer which is overprinted with a colored ink layer, or as an ingredient within the colored ink.
In either case, they produce a very desirable appearance, exhibiting a shift in color (known as color
travel) dependentnt upon viewing angle. While these color shifts are visually appealing, they
the can be
challenging to characterize
rize properly.

When choosing an instrument to be used for measuring these inks there are several things which must
be considered. Perhaps the most important thing to be considered is tthe
he geometry of the instrument,
instrument
which will greatly affect the outcome of the measurement. Instrument geometry is described as:

angle of illumination : angle of detection

There are four basic instrument geometries to be considered when selecting an instrument. A simple
drawing of each type follows:

Figure 1 - 0°:45° geometry

 Figure 2 - 45°:0° geometry

Figure 3 – d:8° (sphere) geometry

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 Figure 4 - multi-angle geometry

Selecting the right instrument

In the graphic arts and printing industries

industries, instruments with 0°:45° and 45°:0°0° geometry are well
known, and are used for the vast majority of measurement situations. They perform extremely well in
agreeing with human vision. Density measurements (or density related measurements such as dot
area, dot gain, trap, etc) by definition require the use of 0°
0°:45° or 45°:0° geometry.

Sphere (d:8°)
8°) instruments are well known in the paint, plastic
plastic,, and textile industries. The diffuse
illumination a spherical instrument provides allows for accurate te and repeatable measurements of a
wide variety of surface conditions, including differences in gloss and texture. These instruments have
the ability to measure in 2 modes, Specular Included (SCI) and Specular Excluded (SCE). *

For many years, metallic coatings

oatings have been used for automotive finishes. The use of multi-angle
multi
spectrophotometers has been widely accepted as the proper method of measuring these coatings, coatings
providing color values at each measurement angle. These multiple color values can then be used to
ensure the desired color is achieved at each angle, and that the desired color travel (color change
relative to viewing angle) is achieved and/or maintained. While multiple angles are useful for these
reasons, the focus for color assessment (and its relationship to visual assessment) is the 45° angle. This
angle is referred to as the “face angle”, and is the predominate visual response to these metallic colors.

*For a description of SCI and SCE, it is recommended that you read Sphere vs. 0°/45° by Timothy Mouw, available at
http://www.xrite.com/documents/apps/public/whitepapers/Ca00015a.pdf

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While the use of the multi-angle instrument has been very successful for measuring automotive and
other decorative coatings, these instruments have a large aperture, which may prevent this tool from
being used on metallic inks. Each instrument, due to its geometry, has a limitation regarding the
smallest available aperture.

Instrument Geometry Minimum sample size (aperture)

0°:45° 4mm
45°:0° 1.6mm x 3.2mm
d:8° (sphere) 4mm
Multi-angle 25mm

Table 1 –minimum aperture sizes per geometry

This limitation may exclude some instruments from consideration, and in some cases, be the deciding
factor in which type of instrument is used.

Designing the experiment

Consumers make purchase decisions based on a number of factors – price, quality (real & perceived),
and appearance, including color. If the color and appearance of a product is visually appealing, the
consumer will be more likely to purchase it. This basic fact is the reason that color measurement exists
today. It is also the reason that for color measurement to be a useful tool, it must agree with visual
assessment.

Based on these facts, an experiment was designed to test the various instrument geometries on a set
of samples, and compare their results to visual assessment of those same samples.

The samples

The testing that was done used two groups of samples. The first group consisted of 3 silver metallic
samples labeled SS, S1, and S2. The second group of samples, labeled SR, R1, and R2, were made by
overprinting the 3 different silvers with the same transparent red ink.

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Visual comparison

Prior to any measurements being taken, a group of 6 individuals were selected to provide a visual
assessment of the samples. Each of these people routinely evaluates visual color differences, and all
have been tested for color blindness (Ishihara test) and color perception (Farnsworth Munsell 100 Hue
test). Each person evaluated the samples independently, and did not have access to the assessments
made by the other testers. All of the evaluations were done in an X-Rite Spectralight III lightbooth
using D5000 illumination, and the samples fixtured at a 45° angle. The testers were instructed to
identify the predominate difference between the sample, if any difference was detected.

With some very minor differences in the wording used, all 6 of the observers provided nearly identical
assessments of the silver samples (S1 and S2 compared to SS).

Visual Assessment S1 versus SS S2 versus SS

Tester 1 much darker much darker
Tester 2 much darker much darker
Tester 3 much darker much darker
Tester 4 much darker much darker
Tester 5 darker darker
Tester 6 much darker much darker

Table 2 – visual assessment - Silver

For the reds (R1 and R2 compared to SR), the assessments varied slightly, with 5 out of 6 testers
providing nearly identical responses.

Visual Assessment R1 versus SR R2 versus SR

Tester 1 darker - duller darker - yellower
Tester 2 slightly dark - dirty darker - yellower
Tester 3 darker - bluer really close
Tester 4 darker - less vibrant darker - yellower
Tester 5 darker - dirty yellower
Tester 6 darker - duller darker - yellower

Table 3 – visual assessment - Red

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Testing the different instruments

Each sample was evaluated using the four instruments listed below.

Instrument Model Instrument Geometry Aperture size used

X-Rite 939 0°:45° 4mm
X-Rite 530 45°:0° 3.4mm
X-Rite SP64 d:8° (sphere) 4mm
X-Rite MA68II Multi-angle 25mm

Table 4 –instrument models, geometry, and aperture size

The goal of measuring these samples was to define which instrument provides the best agreement
with visual perception. The results of these tests can then be coupled with the aperture size
requirement to define the best instrument for a specific situation. It is also important to keep in mind
that most, if not all printers who have metallic inks to measure, will also have a large number of non-
metallic colors to measure.

Measurement Parameters

Each sample was marked with a measurement location (this was the same location that was used for
visual assessment) to ensure that all measurements were made in the same spot. The samples were
also marked to indicate orientation to ensure consistent sample to instrument orientation. All
measurements were made over a white ceramic tile, to eliminate any background effect. Each
instrument was verified to be within the manufacturers recommended performance limits, and
calibrated prior to measurements being done. All instruments and samples were acclimatized to
reduce the possibility of a thermo-chromic effect. The measured differences in the samples were
calculated using CIEL*C*h° and DEcmc color difference equations using D50 illuminant with the 10°
standard observer values.

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The Measurement Results - Silver

When comparing the samples S1 and S2 to the standard SS, the 0°:45° and 45°:0° 0° instruments, as well
as the 45° measurement from the multimulti-angle
angle instrument all provided very similar results. They
identify S1 as much darker than SS which agrees very well with the visual assessment. Similarly, they
identify S2 as much darker than SS which also agrees very well with the visual assessment.

The sphere (d:8°) instrument in SCI mode provided results opposite of visual assessment. It identified
S1 as lighter than SS. It also identified S2 as lighter than SS. Looking at the sphere (d:8°)
(d instrument in
SCE mode, the results do not agree with the visual assessment either. For samples S1 and S2, it
indentified them both as nearly the same as the standard SS.

Lighter
DL* versus SS
10.00
5.00
0.00
-5.00
-10.00
-15.00
0°:45°

45°:0°

MA 45°
d:8° SCI

d:8° SCE

Darker
S1 S2

Chart 1 – assessment of silver

Assessment Method S1 versus SS S2 versus SS

Visual (6 of 6) much darker much darker
d:8° SCI 4.20 DL* 6.16 DL*
d:8° SCE -0.98 DL* -0.61 DL*
0°:45° -10.43 DL* -14.43 DL*
45°:0° -10.08 DL* -14.32 DL*
MA 45° -11.90 DL* -13.16 DL*

Table 5 –assessment of silver

Instrumental differences calculated using CIEL*a*b* with D50/10°

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The Measurement Results - Red

When comparing R1 to o the standard SSR, the 0°:45° and 45°:0° 0° instruments, as well as the 45°
measurement from the multi-angle
angle instrument aagain provided very similar results. They identify R1 as
darker and duller than SR which agrees very well with the visual assessment.

The sphere (d:8°)

8°) instrument in SCI mode provided results opposite of visual assessment. It identified
R1 as lighter and brighter than SR.. Looking at the sphere (d
(d:8°)
8°) instrument in SCE mode, the results do
not agree with the visual assessment either. For sample R1 it identified it as slightly lighter and very
slightly brighter than SR.

Lighter/
Brighter
D50/10
D50/10° R1 versus SR
5.00
3.00
1.00
-1.00
-3.00
-5.00
0°:45°

45°:0°

MA 45°
d:8° SCI

d:8° SCE

Darker/
Duller DL* DC*

Chart 2 – assessment of R1

Assessment Method R1 versus SR

Visual (5 of 6) darker duller
DL* DC*
d:8° SCI 2.28 lighter 4.11 brighter
d:8° SCE 1.41 lighter 0.70 brighter
0°:45° -2.24 darker -3.52 duller
45°:0° -2.29 darker -3.45 duller
MA 45° -1.87 darker -4.25 duller

Table 6 –assessment of R1

Instrumental differences calculated using CIEL*a*b* with D50/10°

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When comparing R2 to the standard SR, the 0° 0°:45° and 45°:0°0° instruments, as well as the 45°
measurement from the multi-angle
angle instrument again provided very similar results. They identify R2 as
darker and yellower than SR which agrees very well with the vi
visual assessment.

The sphere (d:8°)8°) instrument in SCI mode provided results opposite of visual assessment. It identified
R2 as lighter and nearly identical in hue than SR. Looking at the sphere (d
(d:8°)
8°) instrument in SCE mode,
the results do not completely agree with the visual assessment either. For sample R2 it identified it as
slightly lighter and yellower than SR.

Lighter/
Yellower
D50/10
D50/10° R2 versus SR
5.00
3.00
1.00
-1.00
-3.00
-5.00
0°:45°

45°:0°

MA 45°
d:8° SCI

d:8° SCE

Darker/
Bluer DL* DH*

Chart 3 – assessment of R2

Assessment Method R2 versus SR

Visual (5 of 6) darker yellower
DL* DH*
d:8° SCI 2.45 lighter -0.20 bluer
d:8° SCE 0.63 lighter 1.34 yellower
0°:45° -3.15 darker 4.35 yellower
45°:0° -3.13 darker 3.98 yellower
MA 45° -2.87 darker 3.42 yellower

Table 7 – assessment of R2

Instrumental differences calculated using CIEL*a*b* with D50/10°

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Evaluating and interpreting the results

Based on the measurements that were made of this set of samples, it is apparent that the sphere
(d/8°) instrument does not provide measurements that are in agreement with visual perception. So is
there some logical explanation for this “disagreement”? There is, and to help us understand it, we
need to look at the multi-angle instrument.

The various angles of the multi-angle instrument provide very different results. Look, for example, at
the DL* values for S1 in Table 8 below. The values range from +11.29 to -11.90. For sample S2 the
range is even larger, from +22.55 to -13.79. This is not unusual for metallic colors. Visual assessment
in a light booth or other controlled lighting environment reveals the same angle dependant
differences.

DL* @ D50/10°
Measurement Angle S1 versus SS S2 versus SS
MA 15° 11.29 22.55
MA 25° -8.08 0.37
MA 45° -11.90 -13.16
MA 75° -2.58 -13.79
MA 110° 2.09 -11.72

Table 8 – DL* vs. angle

Simply stated, color and/or color difference is angle dependant. This statement is true (in varying
degrees) for all colors, whether they are solid (non-metallic) or metallic, pearlescent, or other special
effect colors. For most solid colors, the variation in color due to viewing angle can be so small it goes
unnoticed. For effect colors, whether they are metallic, pearlescent, or contain some other special
effect pigment, the variation in color relative to viewing angle is the desired effect. There are two keys
to seeing or measuring this angle dependant color shift.

First, the sample must be illuminated from a specific angle. In an instrument like the 0°:45°, 45°:0°, or
multi-angle, this is typically collimated light, created using an optical lens. In a light booth, this is a
fixed light source with a surround to eliminate extraneous light.

Second, the sample must be viewed from discreet angles. With some instruments, like the 0°:45° and
45°:0°, this is a single angle. With a multi-angle, this is several different angles. When these colors are
viewed in a light booth they are typically positioned at a specified angle, typically 45°. Viewing at
additional angles may be done to check for color travel and consistency.

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The reason the sphere (d:8°) instrument does not seem to agree with visual perception on metallic
colors is that by its design, it illuminates the sample diffusely and measures the sample at 8° from
normal (or perpendicular). Because the light is coming from all angles, the sphere instrument provides
a measurement that is, for all practical purposes, and average of all possible viewing angles. This
“averaging of all angles” is very desirable when measuring solid colors that may have different surface
effects such as gloss or texture differences. When measuring metallic samples, or any sample that
exhibits a color change relative to angle, the “averaging of all angles” provides a result that may or may
not agree with any specific angle.

It should be noted that when measuring a metallic substrate (foil, Mylar, or any mirror-like surface), a
0°:45° or 45°:0° instrument will be “blind” to these substrates. This is due to the fact that nearly 100%
of the light will be reflected to the specular angle, leaving almost 0% of the light available to be
measured. Conversely, a sphere (d:8°) instrument can provide accurate and repeatable measurements
of these substrates due to its diffuse illumination.

Conclusion and recommendations

Metallic colors are very desirable, and their popularity continues to rise. The color shift that occurs
relative to viewing angle is visually pleasing, but can also be difficult to measure. Finding an
instrument that can measure and report color difference in agreement with visual assessment is
required.

To properly quantify color difference at multiple angles, and have agreement with visual assessment,
the multi-angle instrument would be the proper choice. The large aperture of a multi-angle
instrument, however, may limit its use in measuring metallic printing inks (see table 1, page 4). In
situations where sample size will be below 25mm in diameter, a 0°:45° or 45°:0° instrument should be
the instrument of choice.

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