Optical properties can be important when specifying materials, comparing suppliers or grades, assessing print and packaging appearance, and investigating changes in material or product performance.
Smithers can test a wide range of materials, including plastic films, tissue, paper, copy paper, coated and carton board, and materials used for printing and packaging applications.
Smithers' UKAS ISO 17025 accredited testing includes whiteness to BS ISO 11475, brightness to BS ISO 2470, colour to ISO 5631 and opacity to BS ISO 2471.
These tests are also included in Smithers' Paper Proficiency Service.
Smithers can measure CMYK and spot colours, including small printed areas, using spectrophotometric techniques.
Measurements include CIE L*a*b* and colour difference measurements including CIE DE*2000. Testing can support applications such as assessing colour fade following accelerated light exposure, abrasion testing and colour staining.
Testing is available to the requirements of ISO 5-4:2009 and ISO 13655:2009.
Plastic opacity testing is available using a method based on the Packaging and Industrial Films Association (PIFA) Voluntary Standard 3/79.
Talk to our experts about your material, application and the optical or colour properties you need to evaluate.
Smithers can test a wide range of materials, including plastic films, tissue, paper, copy paper, coated and carton board, and materials used for printing and packaging applications.
Colour, brightness, whiteness and opacity
Smithers can measure properties including:- CIE whiteness
- Brightness
- CIE L*a*b* colour
- Opacity
Smithers' UKAS ISO 17025 accredited testing includes whiteness to BS ISO 11475, brightness to BS ISO 2470, colour to ISO 5631 and opacity to BS ISO 2471.
These tests are also included in Smithers' Paper Proficiency Service.
Spot colour measurement
Smithers can measure CMYK and spot colours, including small printed areas, using spectrophotometric techniques.
Measurements include CIE L*a*b* and colour difference measurements including CIE DE*2000. Testing can support applications such as assessing colour fade following accelerated light exposure, abrasion testing and colour staining.
Testing is available to the requirements of ISO 5-4:2009 and ISO 13655:2009.
Opacity testing for plastics
Smithers also provides opacity testing for plastic films and materials, measuring opacity as a percentage by comparing the diffuse reflectance of the sample against black and white references.Plastic opacity testing is available using a method based on the Packaging and Industrial Films Association (PIFA) Voluntary Standard 3/79.
Talk to our experts about your material, application and the optical or colour properties you need to evaluate.