Home>Service&Support>FAQ>Colorimeter FaqHow to choose between D/8° and 45°/0° colorimeter?

How to choose between D/8° and 45°/0° colorimeter?

D/8° and 45°/0° are two different illumination methods with distinct optical geometries. The D/8° illumination is suitable for general industries, and delivers better performance in color difference comparison and color measurement especially for high-gloss products. For the packaging and printing industry, the 45°/0° illumination is recommended.

D/8° (Diffuse / 8° viewing)

Recommended for:
  • Plastic, paint, ink, ceramic, textile, coating

  • Samples with metallic luster, pearlescent, glitter, or texture

  • Situations requiring consistent data with laboratory spectrophotometers

  • Applications needing SCI (including specular reflection) / SCE (excluding specular reflection) switching


45°/0° (45° annular illumination / 0° viewing)

Recommended for:
  • Printing, packaging, paper, ink, matte non-metallic materials

  • Products focusing on human eye direct visual matching

  • Standard color matching in printing & packaging industry


Simple Selection Guide

  • With metallic/pearlescent/glitter effect → choose D/8°

  • Printing, paper, packaging, matte products → choose 45°/0°

  • Want universal use for multiple materials → choose D/8°


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