Whiteness, brightness, colour and opacity testing

Whiteness testing ColourtouchThese surface optical properties are used in most specifications to define the visual quality of paper and board. The tests can be made on a range of materials including tissue, paper, copy paper, coated board, carton board and papers for most printing applications.

CIE whiteness, brightness, L*a*b* colour and opacity are all measured using a Technidyne Colourtouch PC spectrophotometer with a range of light sources.

Pira's UKAS, ISO 17025 accredited testing is performed to the following British standard and International standards: whiteness to BS ISO 11475; brightness to BS ISO 2470; colour to ISO 5631 and opacity to BS ISO 2471.

Testing of all of these properties is included in Pira's Paper Proficiency Service .

Expert Profile

  • Doug joined Pira in 1989 and has 20 years experience in the physical testing of packaging and packaging materials. He heads a team specialising in packaging and print related technical investigations. In 2004 Doug gained his postgraduate degree with distinction in Packaging Technology from Brunel University.

    Doug Leatherdale
    Doug Leatherdale

    Head of Physical Testing

    Pira International

    +44 1372 80 2108

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