What to do when the camera and the spectrophotometer disagree
Release uses the instrument agreed in advance. The other reading is still written down. Do not pick the number that looks better.
When the camera says the colour has changed and the spectrophotometer says it is inside tolerance, release on the agreed spectrophotometer and write down the camera’s drift. Do not issue a pass from each side. The other way around: if the spectrophotometer is outside, do not release because the camera stayed quiet.
Why it is judged this way
The two instruments are not looking at the same thing. The camera looks at whether the view is even and whether there is dirt. The spectrophotometer looks at the ΔE of one patch. Each writes its own conclusion. A colour release quotes only the spectrophotometer’s condition and number. The camera still owns dirt and missing print.
What to compare
| What you see | What to call it | What not to do |
|---|---|---|
| Spectrophotometer inside tolerance, camera alarming | Check whether the camera sees dirt or colour drift | Call the colour a fail outright |
| Spectrophotometer outside, camera quiet | The colour fails | Release because the view looks fine |
| Nobody agreed which one rules | Write the agreement first | Choose on the spot |
At job change or when a roll is opened
- The job ticket names which instrument rules for colour.
- When they disagree, keep both numbers.
- Release on the agreed instrument.
