The Multifaceted Nature of Color Perception in Plastics: The Art of Color Compounding
To accurately determine the color of a plastic product, it is essential to understand the basic principles of color perception. Color is not an inherent characteristic but a sensory experience that depends on three core components. Regarding color compounding, it's essential to consider how color is perceived.
Key Aspects of Colour Perception
Each of the three below factors significantly impacts how we perceive color.
- Light Source: The light source used can significantly influence the perceived color. The same color can appear differently under a fluorescent light compared to incandescent light, and daylight, one of the most unpredictable light sources, can make the color appear different yet again. Daylight changes based on various factors such as the time of day, weather, and geographic location, making it inconsistent. Therefore, when matching colors, the light source must be specified.
- Observer's Perception: Color perception necessitates an observer, either human or instrumental. Every person perceives color uniquely, with certain biases towards specific colors. This perception changes with factors such as age, sex, and color blindness. Color blindness is a genetic trait that impairs the ability to differentiate specific colors and affects between 5 and 7% of men and around 0.5% of women.
- Object Characteristics: While the object might seem consistent, the perception of its color can vary. Larger colored areas are perceived as brighter than smaller ones (the area effect). The contrast effect implies that colors seem duller against a bright background than a dark one. Also, viewing or illuminating an object from different angles can change the perceived color (the directional effect).
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