COLOR, COLOR MEASUREMENT AND COLORANT FORMULATION IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY.

Optical devices, suitable for measurement of relative proportions of different wavelengths of light reflected or transmitted by a textile material are reviewed. Attempts are made to relate these measurements to the color sensation produced in the mind of the observer. The past, present and future of instumental color measurement are critically reviewed. Attention is called to fundamental limitations in the ability to designate the perceived color of an object by a set of numbers. The theory and practice of instrumental colorant formulation are discussed.