Best Practices for Using CSI Color Standards

The physical standard CSI ships are specified to be [within 0.5 DE CMC (2:1]) of CSI’s Master Electronic Standard, based on a color difference calculated [using 10 degree observer and the prescribed illuminant]. CSI’s Instruments have been certified by the manufacturers to be within the close tolerance specification of their master Instruments, or are profiled using proprietary software. CSI verifies on a weekly basis the performance of its Instruments to be within that tolerance level by measurement of a characterized BCRA tile set or through profiling. CSI stores the Master Physical Standard flat inside a BHT free plastic bag in a dark area when not in use.

When color standards are ordered from Color Solutions International, we recommend that the master .qtx file of the color standard is requested during the ordering process. Upon payment/completion of the order, the master .qtx file is delivered immediately per e-mail. We recommend that textile mills/vendors upload this .qtx file in their color matching software and begin the process of lab-dipping. This methodology will speed the process of lab-dipping. Once the physical standards arrive in the mail, the textile mill should visibly check the generated lab dips from the master .qtx file against the received color standards. The combination of electronic data and visible evaluation should be used to determine if a lab-dip is suitable to submit to a Retailer or Brand for approval.

We do not recommend that the textile mill/vendor measure the color standards in their color matching system and compare them to the master .qtx file. CSI expects that their will be variation between a textile mill/vendor measured color standard and the master .qtx file in comparision to the readings obtained by Color Solutions International. From our experience, we have found the following reasons as the most common for potential deviations.

• The color difference equation, illuminant or observer selected in the software

• The temperature or relative humidity of the fabric at the time of measurement

• The way the fabric is presented to the spectrophotometer

• Condition of the physical standard (should be stored flat inside a BHT free plastic bag in a dark area when not in use).

• A Datacolor SF 600 CT or SF 600X machine or GretagMacbeth Color-Eye 7000A machine is not used or is not correctly maintained and functioning to the same certified levels

• The same DataColor ColorTools software or GretagMacbeth Colori QC software is not used or is not correctly maintained and functioning to the same certified levels

CSI WARRANTS THAT AT THE TIME CSI SENDS A PHYSICAL STANDARD IT WILL MEET THE MASTER ELECTRONIC STANDARD ESTABLISHED BY CSI UNDER CSI’S PROCEDURES DESCRIBED ABOVE. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THE PRIOR SENTENCE, CSI DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AS TO THE PHYSICAL STANDARDS OR ELECTRONIC STANDARDS CSI SUPPLIES, THE PHYSICAL OR ELECTRONIC STANDARDS COMPANY OR ITS VENDORS MAY GENERATE, OR THE QUALITY OF ANY SAMPLES OR FABRIC COMPANY OR ITS VENDORS MAY PRODUCE.