Reid Clonts, Ranjith Thangavelu, David Hinks, Jennifer Dunn & Patricia Guzman, North Carolina State University
Ann Laidlaw, X-Rite

Abstract: A critical factor in the quantitative assessment of color is the accurate and precise measurement of reflectance factors. The textile industry’s move toward electronic color communication means that knowledge of the inter-instrument variability among reflectance spectrophotometers is vital.
A multi-laboratory assessment of 23 plain-weave, dyed fabric pairs was conducted. As part of a study conducted by the AATCC Color Measurement Test Methods Committee, L* ,a*, b*, and color difference data have been accumulated. This study assessed the statistical variability in colorimetric data obtained from the inter-laboratory trials. Variance in absolute L* ,a*, and b*,was found to be larger than the variance in color difference (ΔL* ,Δa*,and Δb*). The data will be used to develop a precision and bias statement for AATCC Test Method 173.
Key words: color measurement; inter-instrument agreement; spectrophotometer.