The x-rite PANTONE CAPSURE

Contents

Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 3

Glossary ......................................................................................................................................................... 4

1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 5

Figure 1: The X-Rite Pantone CAPSURE..................................................................................................... 5

2.0 Key Industry Trends ................................................................................................................................ 6

Figure 2: A point and shoot camera is just not a reliable measure of colour ........................................... 6

3.0 Technical Overview ................................................................................................................................. 7

3.1 How it Works ....................................................................................................................................... 7

3.2 Components of the X-Rite Pantone CAPSURE .................................................................................... 8

Figure 3: Components of the Pantone CAPSURE ...................................................................................... 8

3.3 Sold with Product ................................................................................................................................ 9

3.4 System Requirements: ........................................................................................................................ 9

4.0 Additional Features ............................................................................................................................... 10

4.1 CAPSURE Sync ................................................................................................................................... 10

4.2 CAPSURE Palette Application Software ............................................................................................ 10

5.0 Testimonials .......................................................................................................................................... 11

5.1 Paint Manufacturers ......................................................................................................................... 11

5.2 Interior Design................................................................................................................................... 11

5.3 The Fashion Industry ......................................................................................................................... 11

6.0 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................................... 12

7.0 References ............................................................................................................................................ 13

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The X-Rite Pantone CAPSURE Executive Summary

This white paper will explain the functions and advantages of the X-Rite Pantone CAPSURE, a rugged device about the size of a cell-phone, designed to accurately measure and match colour.

As any interior decorator familiar with the process of colour matching can explain, a colour's appearance varies under different environmental conditions. As any property owner tasked with touching up old paint jobs knows, it’s not easy to accurately communicate a particular tint to the paint shop. Market research conducted by X-Rite indicates that professional decorators, property managers and homeowners alike, are looking for a tool to accurately measure colours, in real-life situations. The CAPSURE can accurately measure colours on samples effected by:

• Differences in ambient lighting conditions • Reflections • Shadows • Optical whiteners • Complex patterns

Other items that appeared on customers’ wish lists include an electronic fan deck of colours that eliminates the need to carry physical decks, a way to easily record observations with voice and text, and a convenient method to download new versions of software and updated files. The CAPSURE allows customers to quickly record images of surfaces they would like to match, store and tag these images, and match them with design and paint fan decks.

The X-Rite Pantone CAPSURE can take the guesswork out of colour matching and make the design process quicker and easier by:

• Taking an exacting scientific approach to colour measurement • Eliminating cumbersome paper fan-decks • Making communication with paint suppliers and clients easier • Keeping the user up to date with colour options and colour trends • Making the work flow from colour measurement with the device, to palette creation on

the desktop seamless, with Bluetooth data transfer functions, and free design software

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Glossary

CMYK: A subtractive color model, used in color printing. It is also used to describe the printing process itself. CMYK refers to the four inks used in some color printing: cyan, magenta, yellow, and key (black) [1]. coated and uncoated : The process by which a substrate is coated to improve brightness or printing properties. By applying PCC, china clay, pigment or adhesive, the coating fills the miniscule pits between the fibres in the base paper, giving it a smooth, flat surface, which can improve the opacity, lustre and colour-absorption ability [2].

colour forecasting: The practice of predicting that a given color range/palette will gain popularity over time, based on trend research and chroma theory [3]. Colour forecasting is useful for designers and essential for paint and textile manufacturers who need to start producing products up to years ahead.

fan-deck: A selection of available colours, from a particular commercial source, for computer, print, house paint, cosmetics or textiles, presented in a hinged fan. These fan decks are used to verify colour by designers, retailers, property owners and manufacturers.

hue: The degree to which a stimulus can be described as similar to or different from stimuli that are described as red, green, blue, and yellow,"[1] (the unique hues). Orange and violet (purple) are the other hues, for a total of six, as in the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet [4]. (This is also the scientific definition of colour.)

optical brighteners: Chemical compounds that absorb light in the ultraviolet and violet region of the electromagnetic spectrum, and re-emit this light in the blue region. These additives enhance the appearance of fabric or paper by causing a "whitening" effect, which makes materials look less yellow [5].

spectrophotometre: A device employed to measure the amount of light that a sample absorbs. This instrument operates by passing a beam of light through a sample and measuring the intensity of light reaching a detector [6].

Tint: Variations of a hue lightened by white.

Ultraviolet: Ultraviolet light is a form of electromagnetic radiation, with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light, but longer than X-rays (from 400 nm to 10 nm in wavelength) [ 7].

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1.0 Introduction

This white paper will explain the functions and advantages of the X-Rite Pantone CAPSURE, a rugged device about the size of a cell-phone, designed to accurately, measure and match colour.

As any interior decorator familiar with the process of colour matching can explain, a colour's appearance varies under different environmental conditions. As any property owner who’s had to touch up old paint jobs knows, it’s not easy to accurately communicate a particular tint to the paint shop. The CAPSURE takes the guess work out of matching colour.

X-Rite a leader in colour matching technology, which now includes design industry leader Pantone Inc.. X-Rite “develops, manufactures, markets and supports colour management solutions through measurement s systems, software, colour standards and services [8].” This document will take a glance at some key customer research conducted by X-Rite and how the company has responded to these findings.

This white paper will also explain how the CAPSURE spectrophotometer works and examine its component parts. It will cover what accessories are shipped with the product, the accompanying software and the specifications necessary to run the application on the desktop. This document will also detail additional software programs, which can extend the device's functionality to the home or office computer, as well as additional fan decks, which can be downloaded to the device for a small fee.

Finally this whitepaper will explore some case studies and testimonials to the X-Rite Pantone CAPSURE, demonstrating the product's accuracy and convenience.

Figure 1: The X-Rite Pantone CAPSURE

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2.0 Key Industry Trends

Colour is important. X-rites consumer research has proven that “over 80% of home decor decisions are driven by colour [8].” Colour choices are influenced by both the wish to keep up with design trends, and highly personal factors, like desire to coordinate with favourite possessions which already exist in the home.

Market research conducted by X-Rite indicated that professional decorators, property managers and homeowners alike, were looking for a device to accurately match colours in real-life, like interior and exterior walls, art work, upholstery, or pages in a magazine. With the introduction of colour match smart phone apps, it appeared that an easy solution was available. However, the truth is these apps are just not adequate, because a point and shoot camera is not a reliable measure for colour.

Other items that appeared on X-Rite customers’ wish lists included an electronic fan deck of colours that eliminated the need to carry and sort through physical fan decks, a way to easily record observations with voice and text, and a convenient method to download new versions of software and updated files [9].”

The CAPSURE allows customers to quickly and accurately record images of objects and surfaces they would like to work with, store and tag these images, and match them with design and paint fan decks. Customers can even build colour palettes aligned with the most up to date colour forecasts for upcoming seasons.

Figure 2: A point and shoot camera is just not a reliable measure of colour

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3.0 Technical Overview

The CAPSURE is a hand held battery operated device used to image, measure and identify colours. The device combines a spectrophotometer with digital access to colour fan decks, to enable decorators, contractors and hardware stores to match colour choices for upholstery, carpeting and paints.

This section will explain how the CAPSURE works and examine its components. It will also provide details about what is sold with the product and the system requirements necessary for its accompanying software.

3.1 How it Works

As anyone familiar with the process of colour matching can tell you, a colour's appearance varies under different lighting conditions. The same shade of red can look salmon or pink when moved from fluorescent light to daylight. For this reason, using an ordinary camera cannot faithfully capture a colour. Like the human eye, a camera “sees” different colours under different conditions. A photographer who is serious about colour accuracy always carries other equipment such as a light metre, colour control patches and sometimes their own lighting system.

The CAPSURE compensates for variances in ambient light by illuminating the test surface with a ring of Twenty- five LEDs. Twenty-four of these LEDs are divided into three groups of eight colours on the visual spectrum; one projects invisible ultraviolet rays. The inclusion of the ultraviolet LED allows the instrument to detect the presence of optical brighteners in a sample − such as in paper stock [10].

The CAPSURE can also accurately measure textured surfaces because it detects and compensates for the shadows and gloss characteristic of a three-dimensional surface. In about a second, the CAPURE takes a series of photographs from twenty-seven illumination directions, to create a three dimensional spectral image. The instrument’s software then integrates all the data to effectively smooth rough surfaces, allowing an accurate comparison to flat samples, such as fan decks [9].

The X-Rite Pantone CAPSURE can accurately measure surfaces that have confused other portable colour measurement instruments such as

• open weave fabrics • intricate patterns • rough textured surfaces like stucco and brick • detailed multi-coloured magazine illustrations [9]

The device is also designed to match the measured samples with electronic fan decks uploaded to its memory. The CAPSURE comes pre-loaded with all Pantone Color Libraries, allowing users to match more than 8,000 colours. Users can toggle between Libraries and cross-match any material or surface [11]. The CAPSURE has an on-device storage of up to 100 color-samples including annotations [12].

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3.2 Components of the X-Rite Pantone CAPSURE The Capsure device incorporates the colour measurement features of a spectrophometre, and the recording functions of a palm pilot, with an onscreen interface allowing navigation through image captures and fan decks.

Figure 3: Components of the Pantone CAPSURE

1 Power On/Off 2 Measure button Uses camera to preview and take pictures of selected colours:

(A) Press lightly to start preview (B) Press firmly to measure 3 Navigation control Navigates the on screen menus and function bar; right, left, up

and down 4 Enter button Selects menu items and opens tag menu 5 USB connection Charges the battery and provides an interface to the software 6 Speaker and

Microphone Records and plays back voice tags

7 Display Screen Shows colour information, instrument status, and options 8 Targeting marks Allows for positioning on samples 9 White Reference slider Positions the calibration tile for measurement and

calibration/storage 10 Measurement optics Illuminates and measures the colour [13]

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3.3 Sold with Product

Every CAPSURE is sold with a

• carrying case • lanyard carry chord • USB cable • hard copy of the Quick Start Guide • CD containing a User Manual and the CASURE software application, to be loaded onto the

device from your computer, using the USB cable. The User Manual explains settings, the Color Picker, as well as navigation, tags, and records [13].

Please note, the CAPSURE is now available with Bluetooth technology; allowing customers to transfer information to their smart phones, tablets and desktops wirelessly; making workflow seamless, and communication with customers and suppliers faster.

3.4 System Requirements:

The CAPSURE's software application requires:

For Macintosh® Mac O10.5 or 10.6 with latest update installed 512 MB RAM minimum,1GB or greater recommended G5 or Intel Processor or higher 400 MB of available disk space Powered USB port Monitor resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels or higher Network card and Internet connection For Windows® Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Vista or Microsoft Windows 7 with latest

service pack installed 512 MB RAM minimum,1GB or greater recommended Intel Pentium 4/AMD Athlon XP or better 400 MB of available disk space Powered USB port Monitor resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels or higher, with “true color” Network card and Internet connection [14]

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4.0 Additional Features

This section will provide details about the software included with the CAPSURE device, additional software available for a small fee through the Sync function and free applications available at the time of product registration

4.1 Pre-loaded Pantone Libraries

The CAPSURE comes pre-loaded with all PANTONE Colour Libraries including:

• The PANTONE FASHION + HOME Color System Library (paper and cotton) for fashion and home • The PANTONE PAINT + INTERIORS Library (paper and cotton) for architecture and interiors. • The PANTONE PLUS SERIES Formula Guide (coated and uncoated) • The PANTONE PLUS SERIES CMYK (coated and uncoated) • The PANTONE GoeTM System (coated and uncoated) for graphic design, printing and publishing;

providing sRGB, Adobe RGB, HTML, Lab and XYZ values for multimedia design [11]

4.2 CAPSURE Sync

For an additional cost, users can upload fan decks from popular paint manufacturers, at www.xrite.com or through the CAPSURE Sync function. CAPSURE Sync is available for both PC and Mac users and is included, free-of-charge, with each CAPSURE device. CAPSURE Sync ensures that the device is always updated with the most current colour selections, colour ranges and specialty collections [11].

4.3 CAPSURE Palette Application Software

CAPSURE Palette Application Software is available for download, free-of-charge, at the time of product registration. It is both PC and Macintosh compatible. Palette extends the CAPSURE’s functionality to the computer desktop, allowing a work flow to popular design applications, and providing additional tools to inspire colour selection. CAPSURE Palette allows the user to

• Transfer saved records from the device to the computer desktop, such as measurements and associated voice and text tags

• Allow direct measurements with the device while it is connected to the PC, bridging any colour from any source, to the closest fan deck match

• Extract colours from the digital image library included with the device, or import digital images from other sources

• Navigate to variations of colours that are lighter, darker, less vibrant or of a slightly different hue • Harmonize palettes by choosing intermediate hues or finding similar colours in other fan decks • Create and store custom palettes for easy access in the future • Synchronize palettes with popular software applications such as Adobe Photoshop™, Adobe

InDesign™, Corel Painter™ or Quark Xpress™ [11]

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5.0 Testimonials

The CAPSURE has received a very positive reception in the home decorating industry, as well as in other sectors. While awards and testimonials to the device make its recognition evident; the fact that it has already become an indispensable tool for professionals and sales staff alike, speaks volumes about its utility and convenience. This section highlights accolades and reviews received by CAPSURE from Paint Manufacturers, Interior Designers and the Fashion Industry.

5.1 Paint Manufacturers

After evaluating the CAPSURE’s accuracy, many of the world’s leading manufacturers of paints and coatings, including AkzoNobel, Sikkens, Brillux, Caparol and Alligator, have begun supporting the technology for their customers [9]. 5.2 Interior Design

Tobias Pieper, a renowned decorator of commercial, public and residential buildings, knows how challenging it can be to match and harmonize colours. Because of this, he was particularly excited how well the CAPSURE could identify and match the hues of both personal objects in the home, and exterior and interior walls. “I was amazed at how well CAPSURE matched the colours of inspiration items brought in by our customers,” Pieper states, “And how quickly it took measurements… In the past, it may have taken us several hours to mix a special colour. But with CAPSURE, a colour value was specified in seconds – then we simply ordered the desired paint from the wholesalers [15].”

After his initial success with the CAPSURE, Pieper now regularly uses the device to measure colours. He finds he can now take on a wider variety of work and more demanding jobs. He recently was able to specify a paint that matched a rusted metal grid, as well as glossy painting that the customer wanted to use for a structured material cover. Pieper states that the CAPSURE has allowed his company to complete more projects in shorter timeframes, as well as improving customer satisfaction [15].

5.3 The Fashion Industry

The CAPSURE has been well received in the fashion industry too. In 2013, Cosmetics Business named X-Rite the winner of its Technology Award, for the introduction of a digital device used in retail settings, to help customers precisely select cosmetics that accurately match their skin tones. The CAPSURE is now being used in the Match Made Service, offered in more than 890 Boots stores globally, to help customers select the closest color match to their skin [16].

Peter Som, an American women’s wear designer, states that “(I) have actually started carrying the CAPSURE in my bag to capture color inspiration wherever I am – it’s as easy to use as an iPhone. Pantone has managed to marry the design process with cutting-edge technology in this one tool – my design team and I are obsessed! [17].”

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6.0 Conclusions

CAPSURE is available immediately at www.pantone.com for $649. While it costs more than a camera, smart phone, or design fan deck, if matching colour is an important aspect of your job, the device will quickly pay for itself, by:

• Saving hours spent matching and mixing colours • Preventing expensive mistakes like mistints and other mismatched materials • Eliminating the need for multiple paper fan-decks • Making communication with paint suppliers and clients easier • Keeping the user up to date with colour options and colour trends • Making the work flow from colour identification to palette design quick and seamless

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7.0 References

[1] (2014).CMYK Color Model. Wikipedia. [Online]. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CMYK_color_model

[2] (2014). Coated or Uncoated. Paper Online. [Online]. Available: http://www.paperonline.org/paper-

making/paper-production/paper-finishing/coated-or-uncoated [3] Color Forecasting. Black Coffee. . [Online]. Available: http://www.blackcoffee.com/brand-

related/brand-terms/C/color-forecasting [4] (2014) Hue. Wikipedia. [Online]. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hue [5] (2014). Optical brighteners. Wikipedia . [Online]. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hue [6] D.N. Blauch. Spectrophotometry. Virtual Chemistry Experiments. [Online]. Available:

http://www.chm.davidson.edu/vce/spectrophotometry/Spectrophotometry.html) [7] (2014) Ultraviolet. Wikipedia . [Online]. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet [8] X-rite Retail, Colour Your Vision. X-Rite, 2010.[Online]. Available: http://www.xrite.com/documents/literature/en/425854_European_Retail_Concept_Brochure_en.pdf [9] M. Adby and S. Knechtle. (2012). CAPSURE Whitepaper. [Online]. Available:

http://www.xrite.com/documents/literature/en/L3-207_CAPSURE_WhitePaper_en.pdf. [10] B. Cox. Print Week. (2011, Feburary). Pantone Capsure. [Online]. Available:

http://www.printweekmea.com/product-news/11339-pantone-capsure.html [11] T. Stevens. ENGAGET. (2010, October) Pantone’s Capsure. [Online]. Available:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/23/pantones-capsure-tells-you-what-color-anything-is-easily-separ/

[12] J. Stewart. Print. (2010, October). Pantone CAPSURE: Match the Color of Anything

[Online]. Available: http://www.printmag.com/imprint/pantone-capsure-match-the-color-of-anything/

[13] (2013). CAPSURE User Manual. [Online]. Available: http://www.xrite.com/documents/

Manuals en/CAPSURE_User_Manual_en.pdf

[14] (2011). CAPSURE Device Specifications. [Online]. Available: http://www.xrite.com/documents/literature/en/L3-206_CAPSURE_Specs_en.pdf

[15] (2010). Malerbetrieb Pieper Case Study. [Online]. Available: http://www.xrite.com/Documents/Literature/EN/Pieper_Case_Study_01_EN.pdf

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[16] X-Rite News, X-Rite Pantone Receives 2013 Technology Award. X-Rite, 2013. [Online]. Available:

http://www.xrite.com/company_press_room.aspx?News=732

[17] C. De Boer. Pantone Introduces Capsure, Protool Reviews. [Online]. Available: http://www.protoolreviews.com/news/pantone-capsure-handheld-color-matching/2851/

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