Your instrument is only as reliable as the standard you check it against
A spectrophotometer only performs reliably when that performance is regularly verified — against stable, traceable standards. CCSII ceramic colour standards are internationally recognized as the leading standards for checking the consistency and accuracy of colour measurement instruments over extended periods.
Manufactured by Lucideon using ceramic technology for maximum stability and durability. Non-fluorescent. Suitable for ISO 9000 quality control procedures.
Why ceramic standards?
Stable — ceramics do not age, discolour, or react to light or temperature
Durable — resistant to daily use in production and laboratory environments
Non-fluorescent — no interference with spectral measurements
Cleanable — surface can be cleaned without degradation
Traceable — calibrated by UKAS-accredited laboratory (no. 0420), traceable to the National Physical Laboratory (UK)
Product range
Basic series — CCSII
12 glazed ceramic tiles:
- 3 neutral grey standards — for checking photometric linearity
- 7 chromatic standards — for checking spectral response
- 2 colour difference standards — for direct verification of colour difference measurements and repeatability
Available in 10 cm × 10 cm and 5 cm × 5 cm. The production process is carefully controlled to ensure a smooth, slightly convex surface that precisely matches the instrument aperture.
Neutral standards
A range of grey tints from white to black. Estimated reflectance values (0/45):
| Standard | Reflectance |
|---|---|
| White | 88% |
| 80%, 70% | |
| Light grey | 61% |
| 50%, 40%, 34% | |
| Mid grey | 25% |
| Deep grey | 5% |
| Black | 0.5% |
| Opaque black glass | 0% |
The white standard checks the stability of the instrument standard in a Quality Assurance procedure. The 50% grey standard is used when deriving the correction for sample absorption error in spectrophotometry.
Print standards
For the graphic industry — available in gloss and matte. The holder is designed so that the instrument optics remain on the same plane as the standards. Each set: 7 chromatic, 2 colour difference, 3 neutral grey standards plus black and white.
Matte standards
Standard delivery is gloss. A treatment produces a uniform matte surface, causing Specular Included and Specular Excluded measurements to yield essentially the same result. The surface remains durable enough to clean.
Mini Colour Standards
10 mm × 10 mm per tile. The complete set is approximately the size of a credit card (85 mm × 55 mm × 2 mm). Composition according to the basic series plus black and white.
Custom Standards
Made to your specifications — size, shape and colour customized.
Calibration — UKAS accredited
SNKI offers calibration via a UKAS-accredited calibration laboratory (no. 0420). Measurement values are directly traceable to the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington (UK).
Calibration includes:
- Reflectance at 5 nm intervals, 380–750 nm
- CIE Y, x, y, u', v', L*, a*, b*, C*, H*
- For 2° and 10° standard observers
- Under illuminants D50, D65, C and A
- Optional: reflectance data at 10 nm and 20 nm intervals
Each sample receives a certificate with all relevant measurement data, measurement procedure and accuracy. Suitable for ISO 9000 quality control procedures.
Recalibration: recommended every 5 years.
Delivery time: typically within 10 working days of receipt.
We calibrate both CCSII standards and standards made of other materials.
Applications: ceramic colour standards by sector
| Sector | Application |
|---|---|
| Textile | Calibration of instruments for colour fastness and colour consistency of yarns, fabrics and finished products |
| Paint & coatings | Verification of spectrophotometers for colour formulation systems and batch control |
| Plastics | Instrument validation for incoming raw material inspection and final product assessment |
| Food | Colour as primary process monitor — from biscuit tints to coffee roasting grades to tomato paste |
| Pharmaceutical | Monitoring colour change of powders in storage, diagnostic colour strips |
| Dental | Accurate colour system for dental resins in production of teeth and fillings |
| Ceramics & sanitary | Coordination of glazes and acrylates between bathroom product manufacturers |
| Graphic industry | Calibration of measurement equipment for print work — gloss and matte |
| Road safety | Colour limits for thermoplastic coatings in road marking paint |
| Packaging | Consistency of colour reproduction across different production locations |
| Medical | Calibration for glucose and oxygen monitors — reflectance values as reference |
Proven in practice
Euro coins
Lucideon developed ceramic colour standards for colour consistency of Euro currency — ensuring uniform colour across all production facilities in the Eurozone.
International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO)
Standards for consistent calibration of instruments used for measuring the colour of raw wool — worldwide.
Order or recalibrate
SNKI supplies CCSII ceramic colour standards and provides UKAS-accredited calibration.
