Explained: Delta E & Why It Matters In the world of plastic color matching, Delta E (ΔE) is the standard measurement for color difference—and one of the most important metrics for quality control. But what does it actually mean, and why should processors and OEMs care? What is Delta E? Delta E is a numerical value that represents the difference between two colors in a [...]
Natural Resins: A "Blank" Canvas When it comes to color in plastics, the resin isn’t just the base—it’s the canvas. Every resin behaves differently in processing, interacts uniquely with pigments, and influences the final appearance of the part. That’s why understanding the natural characteristics of your resin is just as important as the color target itself. What is a "Natural" Resin? A [...]
Moisture, Bubbles, and Color: Why Proper Resin Drying is Critical for Appearance In plastics manufacturing, few things cause more hidden problems than moisture—especially when it comes to color consistency and surface appearance. Even a small amount of residual moisture in your resin can create visible defects, internal weaknesses, and costly rework. Many resins (especially hygroscopic polymers) naturally absorb moisture from the air. When these resins are [...]
Pigment Behavior: High vs Low Heat Processing When it comes to plastics manufacturing, selecting the right pigment isn’t just about getting the color right. It’s about ensuring that the color stays right throughout the process and one of the most critical factors influencing color stability is processing temperature. Different pigments react differently under high-heat vs. low-heat conditions and understanding that behavior is essential for achieving consistent, high-quality results. [...]
Top Color Challenges : Injection vs Extrusion Color plays a critical role in both extrusion and injection molding but the challenges in achieving consistent color differ significantly between the two processes. Knowing what to look out for can save time, scrap, and customer complaints. Key Color Challenges in Extrusion Line Speed VariabilityFaster or uneven extrusion speeds can affect pigment distribution, leading to inconsistent color bands. [...]
In color compounding, precision directly impacts product quality and customer trust. The X-RITE spectrometer is a proven tool that ensures measurable accuracy and repeatability in color matching processes. Using advanced spectral measurement technology, X-RITE captures color data with remarkable precision, allowing compounders to replicate colors reliably. Whether working with complex custom colors or industry standards, this device helps eliminate guesswork and costly rejections due to color deviations. This spectrometer offers quantifiable precision, with accuracy [...]
Advancing Plastics: 3D Printing Plastics have transformed 3D printing into one of the most innovative manufacturing methods available today. From prototyping to full-scale production, the versatility of plastics allows for a range of applications in industries like automotive, medical, aerospace, and consumer goods. But not all plastics are created equal. Each 3D printing technology relies on specific polymers with unique properties that affect strength, flexibility, and durability. [...]
Understanding Opacity Light & Plastics In color compounding for plastics, the terms opaque, translucent, and transparent describe how light interacts with the colored plastic, and these differences are critical for achieving the desired visual effects. More often than not, these terms can be confused due to their subtle differences in light transmission and visual appearance: Opaque: Opaque colors completely block the transmission of light, resulting in [...]
Color Quest: Ways to Color Plastic Color concentrate, dry color, and pre-color are all methods of adding color to plastics in the color compounding process, but they differ in their form and how they are incorporated into the plastic: 1.Color Concentrate: Color concentrate, also known as liquid color or color masterbatch, is a concentrated mixture of pigments or dyes dispersed in a carrier resin. It is [...]
Choose Your FX An easy way to transform the visual appearance of plastic products and enhance their appeal is by the use of special effect masterbatches. Special effect masterbatches are additives used in color compounding to achieve unique visual or tactile effects in plastic products. These concentrates contain a combination of pigments, additives, and sometimes special-effect components that impart specific characteristics to the final product. They are typically added to base [...]
