Techkon ChromaQA 7 Generates Accurate Spectral Data from CIELab Values

Techkon announced that its ChromaQA 7 software can now generate accurate spectral data for color standards defined solely by CIELab values. This new capability, leveraging AI-driven SmartInk and specific colorant sets, overcomes the limitations of CIELab values alone, such as metamerism. Spectral data offers superior illuminant-independent color matching, improved metamerism resistance, and precise reproduction across various printing systems, proving indispensable for high-end color workflows.

Techkon's latest update, ChromaQA 7, introduces a significant advancement in color management: the ability to generate accurate spectral data from color standards initially defined only by CIELab values. This innovation addresses a long-standing challenge in the print industry where CIELab values, while describing how a color appears under one specific light source, fail to capture the color's underlying physical behavior. This often leads to metamerism, where two different pigment mixtures can share the same Lab values but diverge in appearance under different light sources.ChromaQA 7 tackles this by utilizing its AI-driven SmartInk formulation engine and applying the correct colorant set corresponding to the original ink and substrate. This process uncovers the true physical material properties of the pigments, enabling the creation of precise spectral data. The benefits of having a full spectral dataset are extensive. A spectral reflectance curve captures the complete wavelength behavior of a color, allowing printers and color management systems to accurately predict how a color will perform under multiple illuminants, on diverse substrates, and with different ink sets. This results in superior illuminant-independent matching, strong resistance to metamerism, accurate color reproduction across CMYK and extended-gamut systems, and reliable press behavior and profiling. The article highlights that spectral data is crucial for spot color reproduction, ink formulation, and high-end workflows like CMYKOGV or multi-illuminant proofs. Techkon, a leader in color measurement solutions, expects this feature to enhance quality, productivity, and cost savings for the global print community.