Standardiväri

Standardiväri, or standard color, is a reference color used as a benchmark for color matching and quality control in fields such as textiles, printing, plastics, and paints. It represents a reproducible color defined by standardization bodies and provided as physical color chips, swatches, or digital specifications. The standard color serves as a common point of comparison to ensure that produced shades align with agreed requirements and to facilitate clear communication between suppliers and manufacturers.

A standard color is described by colorimetric coordinates in established color spaces (for example CIE L*a*b* or CIE XYZ) and is specified for a particular illuminant and observer to reflect the conditions under which comparison is made. Color differences between a sample and the standard are quantified using ΔE, and tolerances are defined to determine acceptable variation in production. Systems and references such as Pantone, RAL, and NCS are commonly used, along with internal standards aligned to ISO, DIN, or other regional guidelines.

In practice, standard colors are used at multiple stages: selecting an appropriate reference, calibrating measurement instruments, and assessing batch consistency. They help ensure repeatability across runs, batches, and suppliers, and support accurate specification communication in product development and quality management.

Notes on limitations: color perception depends on lighting, viewing angle, and surrounding conditions, so standards specify a controlled testing setup to minimize these variables.