FAQs

The total quantity of NCS Standard colours in the NCS colour collections is 2050. There are 2050 NCS Standard colours published in the NCS products but some companies do have bespoke colours created where they need a shade or nuance in between the standard set of colours. Most products contain the complete collection of 2050 colours but some have smaller, specific colour ranges. The smaller colour collections are used for designing specific products, Exterior, for example, is for colouration of exterior materials such as bricks, concrete and paving. WS 160 is ideal when only low chromatic colours (whites, greys) rather than saturated colours are required. The Inspire is a great tool when you’re starting a colour scheme from scratch and need inspiration. It contains popular colours used by architects and designers divided into themes which makes it easy to navigate.  

The quickest way to translate an NCS colour reference to RAL, if you have a sample of the NCS colour, is to use a RAL Color Reader this will measure any sample target and give the closest RAL number. An alternative is to do a visual check of the NCS colours in the NCS Index against one of the RAL books - the RAL Design system is likely to have the closest match as RAL Classic colours are more vibrant. Or you can Order a Colour conversion from NCS Colour in Sweden (they will check visually)  https://ncscolour.com/product/colour-translation-notation-to-notation/.

No, we do not retro fit LED lighting into CAC light booths. LED retrofit light tubes for replacement of fluorescent lamps in offices or homes are not made to be tight tolerance to CIE illuminants and are unsuitable for light booths. Rather than LED retro fit we recommend investing in VeriVide’s new LED technology. This works to tighter tolerances than other aftermarket LED alternatives and does not suffer from the fringing effect associated with alternative systems. If you are interested in installing an LED "Point of Sale" (POS) light only then the product for you is the CAC LED light booth which contains traditional fluorescent light sources plus your choice of one LED from four of the most common LED POS light sources: - colour temperatures 3000k, 3100k, 3500k and 4000k. Ask the retailer for their LED specification or send a sample to be measured at VeriVide. If you prefer to future proof your colour assessment then the new UltraView light booth is pre programmed with multiple switch sets, each switch set has up to 8 tuneable LED light sources. Say goodbye to having several light booths if you supply multiple retailers - now you can have all the possible POS light sources in one light booth as well as D65, D50 for your packaging, UV and A.

All VeriVide products including the light booths are supplied with set up instructions and the Colour Assessment Cabinets (CAC) come with detailed assembly instructions inside the box. When you unpack your light booth, look for the additional items packed with the canopy which holds the lamps - power cable, assembly diagram, instruction book and switch panel guide. We also have this easy to follow step by step video guide. https://lnkd.in/etuiEMpY 

It is recommended to replace your Pantone books at least every 12-18 months, however this does depend on how you store and use them! Books should be stored away from light and dust and handled with clean hands to keep them in great condition for as long as possible. However, the paper fan guides or smaller books like the Passport which are used frequently, and are taken to meetings with clients or are left open on your desk or at the end of the press, will deteriorate sooner than the master copy of the books stored in away in a locked cupboard in the dark. Even when looked after you need to replace your  Pantone books regularly to take advantage of the new colours added or the new ink recipe formulations. It is always best to use the same edition as your manufacturing site or your client so that you can be sure everyone is looking at the same colour. Some of the reasons for damage to the books can be found below - not to mention spilling your coffee or accidentally marking with a biro!

• Handling = smearing and removing pigment from natural oils on fingertips
• Pages rubbing together = scratching or removing pigment
• Light exposure = fading
• Paper aging = yellowing effects
• Ambient moisture = accelerated paper aging
• Natural pigment expiration = faster, noticeable colour variation, especially in lighter and pastel colours

VeriVide manufacture specialist lighting and imaging tools for visual and digital assessment of colour and appearance. All products are manufactured at our Head Office in Enderby, Leicestershire and distributed globally by our network of distributors. VeriVide has been at the forefront of developing and updating worldwide and customer specific standards for over 57 years. Many global brands consult VeriVide when setting their global colour standards for suppliers. It is for this reason, that VeriVide has developed long-term relationships with supply chains throughout the world.

Who uses VeriVide products? Anyone who is interested in the colour or appearance of their product! VeriVide serves any industry where products must meet a visual quality goal. This means that our products are used in industries as varied as currency and identification card manufacturers, cosmetics, food and food packaging, pharmaceuticals and dish soap and all manner of textiles. We can help you to match a colour, look for physical faults and comply with international standards.

Our Colour Assessment cabinets (CAC) are light booths providing the ideal conditions for visual assessment of colour and appearance. Containing standardised light sources with a neutral grey interior, they come in a two sizes to suit your application. Primarily used to make pass/fail decisions when comparing a standard against batch in the product development or production process for items such as clothing, plastics, food and automotive components.

CAC cabinets are usually fitted with 4 or 5 different light sources. A standard daylight source: CIE D65 or CIE D50 (can sometimes be supplied with both), one or two Point of Sale illuminants such as 840P15, CWF, or LED, of your choice. The set up is completed with UltraViolet (UV) for the detection of optical brightening agents, and a tungsten filament source; CIE A or VeriVide F. Viewing your product under a variety of standardised light sources will highlight any problems such as colour inconstancy or metamerism. This ensures the colour and appearance will be acceptable to the consumer in real world lighting conditions.

A Colour Control Cabinet (also known as CCC cabinet) is designed specifically for the printing industry. They are taller cabinets to accommodate a feature that is unique to VeriVide – a concave viewing deck (curved back). This ensures that the angle between the printed image and the observer’s eyes is made to minimise specular reflection from the print. This is especially important if there is a glossy surface. Specular reflection is the white glow you can see when light bounces off a glossy surface and if this is present it interferes with your ability to see the true colour of the print. In Colour Control Cabinets (CCC) the viewing deck is magnetic, so that small magnets can secure the prints in place leaving your hands free for holding the colour standards or recording observations.

Light sources in the CCC Colour Control Cabinets are usually only Daylight (D50 or D65), however, they can be fitted with both types of Daylight upon request as well as a store light or UV if necessary. CCC cabinets are fitted as standard with a single light source – CIE D50 Daylight which is a requirement of ISO 3664:2009. If you need additional light sources to comply with retailer specifications and check for metamerism under store lighting, for example, or to make additional checks on the underlying fluorescence of the base card or paper then please specify this when you request a quotation. Additional light sources cannot be retrofitted therefore please ensure you have included the required lighting when you send your quote request or order  

Standardised viewing conditions ensure your product represents the original concept or design in any environment. They refer to the specification for visual assessment which every brand and retailer should have and share with their supply chain. This document sets out the conditions for viewing the product including the angle of viewing, size of the sample, the type of colour standard and most importantly the light sources and viewing environment. Using standardised viewing conditions, the same decision will be reached each time visual assessment occurs.

Textile Retailer

Standardised viewing conditions help you ensure that the garments you produce are as faithful a representation of the original design as possible. It is important to avoid metamerism and to be aware of how they will look under store lighting (POS).

Textile Manufacturer

Standardised viewing conditions, often specified by your manufacturer, ensure that you can accurately produce garments as intended. Removing costly re runs or corrections and even loss of business. They ensure that the fabric looks how it should under your client’s point of sale lighting and it does not suffer from metamerism.

Dyer

Standardised lighting conditions replicate the spectrophotometer conditions and ensure that the recipes you formulated from the spectral data match the intended colour. Your customers need the products to match the colour standard under multiple light sources avoiding metamerism. For many of your clients visual assessment is still key; spectral data alone does not give them peace of mind.

Flexographic Printer

Standardised lighting helps flexographic printers working with brand or spot colours ensure they meet the high standards expected. VeriVide’s specialist print and packaging range ensures that finished products are accurate representations of the original design.

Quality Assurance

For quality assurance specialists, visual assessment is a vital part of ensuring high-quality products. Assessing colour and also appearance, is a vital part of many companies quality assurance. Food manufacturers use VeriVide light booths to ensure consistency and quality of large volumes of products, sometimes comparing against standard images created in DigiEye. For those working with composites, visual assessment is used to check for flaws. In any industry, viewing a product can be the difference between product failure and the high-quality products their customers expect.

Technical Textiles

Technical Textiles manufacturers and end users use VeriVide light booths to highlight imperfections and colour issues. Visual assessment is a vital part of ensuring that standards are upheld and customers are happy. This is especially true in industries where perfection is expected by the end clients such as luxury automotives.

Lithographic Printer

VeriVide CCC’s are used to ensure consistency of colour and quality of print runs against proofs. VeriVide CCC’s are also used in showrooms to aid client presentations and demonstrate capability to build and retain business. In a highly competitive industry that is constantly in search of an advantage, standardised assessment conditions allow for consistent replication of colour and colour branding. VeriVide products allow you to visually assess deviation of spot colours against colour standards as well as between proofs and samples from print runs.