Fabric Light Box or Textile Light Box

A standardized fabric light box or textile light box is used for visual assessments to maintain consistency in light source, viewing area and presentation of sample.All shade assessment and colour matching must be carried out in a purpose built colour matching cabinet named Fabric light box or textile light box which can be purchased from several manufacturers in various sizes. The most popular example being “Verivide”. To reduce the subjective element of visual colour assessment, the viewing environment must be controlled.

All fabric light box or textile light box must be fitted with the following light sources:

• D65     – Artificial Daylight (e.g. Verivide F20 T12/D65 BS 950 Pt.1, Philips
• MCFE 20W/84)
• TL84   – Store Light
• F          – Tungsten Filament (Illuminant A) (e.g. GE 40W Opal)
• UV      – Ultra Violet Light “Blacklamp” (e.g. Sylvania F20 T12/BLB)

Application of Textile Light Box

• Textile Light Box which use filters to provide light source should not be used. The following maintenance requirements must be observed:
• The tubes must be replaced after 2000 hours of use and should be cleaned frequently. Please keep a record of all replacement dates and check the counter regularly.
• Cabinets must be kept clean, in good repair and free of non-essential items such as documents and fabric samples.
• The cabinet must be painted regularly (at least annually) internally with “Crown Colour Plan 14.40D Munsell N6.5”
• Cabinets must be positioned to avoid ingress of direct outside light into the cabinet. Alternatively the cabinet front may be surrounded by a black curtain to block out stray light.
• An alternative to the cabinet could be a purpose built room, which totally blocks out outside light, is lit with the correct light sources to an adequate level, is completely painted with the correct colour and is kept free of non-essential items.

Guideline for Fabric Light Box or Textile Light Box

For all orders please follow the below guideline:

• You need a close colour match in D65 and a reasonable match in TL84. (D65 is the most important light source for checking). Both light sources must be used separately.
• The Tungsten light (F) should be used to check for colour flaring, this is particularly important for colours made from yellow and red dye. The UV light is used to pick up the presence of optical brightening agents and          fluorescent dyestuffs and is particularly useful for checking whites.
• Only one light source should be used at any given time, it is not acceptable to use two different light sources simultaneously.

Example of Spectra Light III Color Viewing Booth, Type D412F

The Spectra Light color viewing booth uses our patented filtered tungsten halogen light source to give you the world’s most accurate simulation of natural daylight.  It features six different levels of lighting:  Daylight (D75, D65 or D50), Illuminant A (home lighting), Horizon, Ultraviolet, and dual fluorescent sources (choice of Cool White Fluorescent, TL84 or U30).  SpectraLight features SmartLogic technology for accelerated throughput with faster color approvals.  Using the booth’s digital display, you can easily program a sequence of different light sources for hands-free viewing, maximizing operator efficiency and productivity.

Specification of lab light box 1

• Model– light source
• Brand: Tilo, Origin: China
• Light Source: na
• D-65 ( Verivide UK)    :  na or  01 set
• TL-84 Verivide, UK      :   na or 01  set
• CWF    Sylvania  :    01 set
• Inca A  Crompton, UK      :    na or 01 set
• UV  Sylvania                 :    na or 01 set
• TL-83   Philips, Holland    :    01 set

D65 international standard artificial daylight(Artificial Daylight)
Color temperature: 6500K Power: 18WTL84 Europe, Japan, China store light
Color temperature: 4000K Power: 18WF family hotel lights, color reference light source
Color temperature: 2700K Power: 40WUV-UV light source (Ultra-Violet)
Wavelength: 365nm
Power: 18W

Specification of lab light box 2

• Model- CAC 60
• Fitted with below light options
• D65 ~ Artificial Daylight
• TL84 ~ 840P15
• F ~ Tungsten Filament Light
• UV ~ Ultra Violet Light
• Interior Color-Grey 5574
• Brand: Verivide, Origin: UK.

Maintenance of light box (Lamp Change)

Light box: The light box must have neutral grey walls with a  non-shiny surface on the inside. The grey tone should be similar to Munsell N7, N5 or Grey 5574(previously called matt emulsion smokey pine 14-40d).

To reduce the subjective element of visual colour assessment, the viewing environment must be controlled.

A standardized lighting cabinet is used for visual assessments to maintain consistency in light source, viewing area and presentation of sample.

Buyer Wise:

H&M: The lamps should be changed after 1300 hours use or after 12 months, whichever is the sooner.

TESCO: Only use lamps supplied by the original manufacturer. Replace the lamps according to the user’s manual or every 4000 hours. Service/calibrate the cabinet on an annual basis and keep a service log for future inspection.

M&S:  All Tubes or bulbs, except ultra violet tubes, must be replaced after 2000 hours or six month, whichever is the sooner.

Auto: The lamps should be changed after 1300 hours use or after 12 months, whichever is the sooner if needed.

• Visual Assessment – All Lab Dips & Non-Accredited Suppliers
• Lighting Cabinets and Standard Illuminants
• To reduce the subjective element of visual colour assessment, the viewing
• environment must be controlled.
• A standardised lighting cabinet is used for visual assessments to maintain
• consistency in light source, viewing area and presentation of sample.
• The following cabinets are approved by TESCO:
• Verivide CAC60, CAC120 or CAC150
• Datacolor CMB Color Matcher 2028 / 2540
• Gretag Macbeth Spectralight 111
• Only use lamps supplied by the original manufacturer. Replace the lamps
• according to the user’s manual or every 4000 hours. Service/calibrate the
• cabinet on an annual basis and keep a service log for future inspection.
• The required light sources for TESCO are as follows:
• Light Source Use For Required Result
• Primary Light Source D65
• Artificial Daylight
• All swatches Good match
• Secondary Light Source TL84
• General Store Light
• All swatches Good match
• For Checking only Tungsten (F)
• General Domestic Light
• To check colour constancy Do not use for
• matching
• For Checking only Ultra Violet (UV) To check for Optical
• Brighteners/Fluorescent dyes
• Do not use for
• Matching

 GUIDELINE TO USING THE LIGHT CABINET (LIGHT BOX)

 All shade assessment and colour matching must be carried out in a purpose built colour matching cabinet (light box), which can be purchased from several manufacturers in various sizes. The most popular example being “Verivide”.

All cabinets must be fitted with the following light sources:

• D65 – Artificial Daylight (e.g. Verivide F20 T12/D65 BS 950 Pt.1, Philips

MCFE 20W/84)

• TL84 – Store Light
• F      – Tungsten Filament (Illuminant A) (e.g. GE 40W Opal)
• UV   – Ultra Violet Light “Blacklamp” (e.g. Sylvania F20 T12/BLB)

Cabinets which use filters to provide light source should not be used.

The following maintenance requirements must be observed:

• The tubes must be replaced after 2000 hours of use and should be cleaned frequently. Please keep a record of all replacement dates and check the counter regularly.
• Cabinets must be kept clean, in good repair and free of non-essential items such as documents and fabric samples.
• The cabinet must be painted regularly (at least annually) internally with “Crown Colour Plan 14.40D Munsell N6.5”
• Cabinets must be positioned to avoid ingress of direct outside light into the cabinet. Alternatively the cabinet front may be surrounded by a black curtain to block out stray light.
• An alternative to the cabinet could be a purpose built room, which totally blocks out outside light, is lit with the correct light sources to an adequate level, is completely painted with the correct colour and is kept free of non-essential items.

For all orders please follow the below guideline:

You need a close colour match in D65 and a reasonable match in TL84. (D65 is the most important light source for checking).

Both light sources must be used separately.

The Tungsten light (F) should be used to check for colour flaring, this is particularly important for colours made from yellow and red dye.

The UV light is used to pick up the presence of optical brightening agents and       fluorescent dyestuffs and is particularly useful for checking whites.

Only one light source should be used at any given time, it is not acceptable to use two different light sources simultaneously.

Colour samples should not look noticeably different in different lights.

For further guidelines on how to assess colour and shading please see the Buyer Fabric Inspection Guideline.

Examplor of Color Matching Light Box 

Viewing cavity of color matching light box is 1260mm wide x 545mm high x 590 deep, with membrane switch panel, hour meter and electronic ballast control. Specify lamp configuration from catalog. Colour samples should not look noticeably different in different lights. For further guidelines for color matching light box on how to assess colour and shading please see more about Fabric Light Box or Textile Light Box.

Muhammad Farayaz, Lab Technologist, Amnist Textile Group of Company, Eygpt