4-18 I E S LIGHTING HANDBOOK

may be separated according to nearly imperceptible color differences into

a number of "standard" grades each of which may have a different market
value.
It is frequently necessary to obtain a "commercial match" between
physical samples (supplied for purposes of specification) and production
samples (selected for purposes of production quality control). The
test procedures under the specifications should be so defined that experi-
enced persons consistently and independently assign the same grades and
make the same matches.
o
<
c
/
D
A AND B
1.40 0.50 060 0.70
WAVELENGTH IN MICRONS
FIG. 4-10. Spectral reflectance and
transmittance curves reveal slight dif-
ferences between samples which may
not be detected by visual observation
under ordinary light sources. To a
normal observer, samples A and B
seem to match as do C and D, when
viewed under incandescent lamps; C
and D are pink but of higher value
(luminous reflectance) than A and B.
While the spectral reflectance curves
prove the physical similarity of A and
B, they reveal a difference between C
and D. A and B will match under
any conditions, but C and D will not
match if the illumination contains a
high percentage of blue energy in the
region 0.4-0.5 micron.
Color control in a lighting installation. The artist, architect, and illum-
inating engineer, after agreeing on a design having suitable decorative
qualities and which at the same time will provide the proper quantity and
quality of illumination, have the problem of transferring their plans to the
room in question. This must be done by specifying to the contractor and
builder, as well as to the furniture, wall covering, drapery, and paint manu-
facturers, what materials will be acceptable from a color standpoint. The
fundamental problem is similar to that worked out by the retail packaging
experts.
Color control in production. There are many reasons for requiring ac-
curacy and precision in the control of the color of surface coatings, such as
printing inks and industrial finishes. Perhaps the most important reason
concerns the demands made by the buyers of retail consumer goods, and
the quality significance they attach to the color of articles.
The use of color control usually has three objectives. The first objective
is that a satisfactory match for the desired color should be obtained with
the type of coating formulation which will be used in production. The
second objective is that the standard color achieved as a result of the first
should be maintained during the first mass production of the material.
The third objective requires that subsequent mass productions of the ma-
terial have the same color as the first mass production. For those articles
which are in almost continuous mass production, such as cigarette contain-
ers where the production for a single brand may be several million packages