In industrial production and quality control, color consistency is one of the core elements determining product quality. Whether it is the metallic paint for automobile coating, the dyeing effect of textile fabrics, or the ink matching in packaging and printing, subtle color deviations may lead to cost waste or damage to brand image.

The LAB color space defines colors with a three-dimensional model:

1. Lightness (L): It indicates the lightness or darkness of a color, ranging from 0 (pure black) to 100 (pure white).

2. Hue and Saturation (a and b):

• The a-axis represents the red-green tendency, with positive values leaning towards red and negative values leaning towards green;

• The b-axis represents the yellow-blue tendency, with positive values leaning towards yellow and negative values leaning towards blue.

It is a globally recognized standard and supported by most modern color measurement equipment. Color is quantitatively analyzed by measuring Lab values with instruments.

Colors look different under various lights mainly because of metamerism—a phenomenon where two colors that match under one light source fail to match under another, caused by differences in the spectral composition of light.

Different lighting varies the color perception of objects. Warm light, like that from incandescent bulbs, tends to make colors more yellow, while daylight presents a bluish tint. Our color vision system plays a compensating role using a mechanism called color constancy.

Every light source emits light with a unique "spectral fingerprint" (i.e., the range and intensity of wavelengths it contains). This directly affects how an object’s surface reflects light and how our eyes perceive its color.

 Color is measured using devices such as colorimeters, spectrophotometers, and spectroradiometers. Colorimeters are easier and good for simple color quality tests. Whereas spectrophotometers yield detailed spectral information. Hence, suitable for laboratories and industries.

 A spectrophotometer illuminates a sample with light or passes light through it and records the reflected or transmitted light over the wavelength range. It transforms this data into color coordinates (such as L*a*b*), allowing accurate color assessment as well as color comparison to standards.

You can choose a colorimters depending on the substrate you are measuring the color of, whether it is opaque, translucent or transparent. In short, you can consider the following factors for choosing the right 3NH colorimeter for your needs: Sample Opacity, Physical Form, Optical Properties needed, Measurement Methods required, Scales and Indices needed, Instrument Standards Conformance (ASTM/ISO/Other), Instrument Geometry, Instrument Performance, Location (laboratory, portability, in-process) and Sample Handling requirements.

By systematically addressing these factors, you can select a colorimeter that optimizes accuracy, efficiency, and value for your specific application.Learn more from our ultimate guide on colorimeter selection. If unsure, consult the 3NH manufacturer for personalized recommendations based on your sample and workflow.

A colorimeter is a scientific instrument used to measure and analyze the color characteristics of objects or materials. It quantifies color by evaluating specific parameters related to human visual perception and standardized color spaces.

Threenh colorimters are used across various industries to measure, analyze, and control color accuracy and consistency:

Food and Beverages: Monitor color quality in food products to meet industry standards.

Plastics and Polymers: Ensure color uniformity in plastic components (e.g., casings, buttons, panels) during manufacturing.

Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals,Cosmetics: Industry-specific accessories to attain the highest safety protocols, Ensure uniform color in pharmaceutical products for quality and brand recognition;Develop and match colors for cosmetics (e.g., lipsticks, creams, powders) and ensure batch consistency.

Textiles and Apparel: Monitor color consistency in fabrics during dyeing, printing, or finishing processes; ensure color consistency in fabrics and garments.

Building materials, Paints, and Coatings: Detect color deviations in coatings on metal, wood, or plastic surfaces (e.g., automotive paints, furniture finishes). Maintain color accuracy in building materials, paints, and coatings.

Printing and Packaging: Validate color accuracy in printed materials (e.g., brochures, labels, packaging) against design proofs, maintain consistency across different printing technologies.

By addressing color-related quality control challenges, 3NH colorimeters help industries maintain brand consistency, meet regulatory standards, and enhance customer satisfaction.

High Measurement Accuracy and Stability: Low ΔE fluctuation (e.g., NH300: ΔE < 0.07; NR10QC: ΔE ≤ 0.03 short-term repeatability); Reliable sensors (CMOS dual-beam/silicon photodiode) and long-lasting light sources (1.6M–3M measurements over 5 years).

User-friendly Design and Convenient Operation: Intuitive interfaces (e.g., NH300’s “fool-proof” operation), auto-calibration, and ergonomic grips for extended use; Versatile positioning (light/cross alignment) for precise measurements.

Robust Design: Our colorimter instruments are designed to withstand rigorous use, providing long-term reliability. Rechargeable lithium batteries enable 5,000–6,000 measurements per charge (e.g., NH300/TS7030), ensuring cost-effective durability.

PC Software Support for Functionality Expansion: PC software (e.g., CQCS3) supports color difference analysis, chromaticity indexing, and sample library management.

Global customer support: Our global presence across regions ensures you get the service and maintenance support you need to keep your instrument at peak performance. 

Multiple Measurement Apertures and Application Scenarios: Multiple measurement apertures, different models have different measurement apertures and some models offer multiple optional apertures. Applicable to plastic electronics, paint and ink, textile and garment printing and dyeing, printing, ceramics, automotive, food, medicine and other industries for color quality control and color difference detection.

Our machine is packed by standard export wooden box, it won’t be damaged. We’ve delivered many testing machines abroad by sea or by air without damage.

Yes, we warmly welcome and sincerely invite you or your team to visit our factory, we will help to arrange hotel and pick up you from airport.

Our professional team will give you the best suggestion as long as you tell us what kind of test you need to do and the required specification.

Yes, we can offer quality certification issued by our lab free of charge, or issued by third-party international inspection Organizations with extra charge, please contact us for confirmation.

Yes, we offer free samples for test, you are welcome to order samples to experience our excellent quality and service.

Colorimeter,Gloss meter,Coating thickness meter,window tint meter,UV meter, Leeb hardness tester, Ultrasonic thickness gauge. Threenh Technology company adheres to independent design, research and development, production and sales of various measuring instruments. 

Always a pre-production sample before mass production; Always final Inspection before shipment; 

Yes. We can supply OEM and make customized design for any specific application. Our MOQ for OEM and ODM service is 5 pcs for one model. We can not only offer standard machines, but also customized machines. Don’t hesitate to tell us your requirement, we will try our best to meet your needs.

Opaque liquids and powders can be put into a cuvette for color measurement. 

Since part of the light will pass through the light-transmitting materials, the colorimeter is not suitable for color measurement of such kinds of materials; however, when place a pure color material with uniform texture under the light-transmitting material, we can measure the color difference between the standard and the sample. 

D/8°and 45°/0°are two kinds of illumination geometry with different optical geometry design. D/8°illumination geometry is more widely used for the color comparison and measurement of high-gloss materials; 45°/0°illumination geometry is mainly used in printing and packaging industries. 

Threenh Technology colorimeters provide a color deviation prompt function according to the Lab value, which can provide a reference for color matching. The handheld colorimeter can only indicate blacker, whiter, redder, greener, yellower or bluer, but it cannot provide accurate color formulas. Only with the help of a spectrophotometer and professional color matching software can fully realized automated color matching.