Best Practices for Measuring the Color of Plastic Bottles

At HunterLab, we've spent more than 70 years becoming experts in the field of color measurement and observing how product coloration affects consumer preferences. We've learned that color is vital in every aspect of product marketing, from the product itself to all its packaging. We've produced solutions that enable manufacturers to measure color accurately in many products, including plastic bottles. 

What Influences the Color of Plastic?

Plastic is known for its versatility. The material can be molded and colored in almost any way — and the color is baked into the plastic itself, so it has little chance of fading or changing once it's been cured. Still, some factors may change the way your plastic bottles look in stores, such as:

• Light: At its core, color measurement is about assessing how light interacts with an object to produce the color we perceive. Different types of light can make colors on the same object appear differently to the human eye.
• Opacity: Just as plastic can be made into any color, it can come in various opacities. From completely opaque to clear and transparent, differences in translucence will change the way your bottles' color is perceived.
• Gloss: Gloss is a measure of an object's reflectance, which more or less refers to how shiny something is. A glossier piece of plastic is more reflective, which affects the appearance of the color underneath.

Spectrophotometers — Your Solution for Color Measurement

Changes in color perception make it challenging to measure color accurately by hand. The solution lies in the spectrophotometer. 

Spectrophotometers are scientific devices that measure color using light reflectance to produce a precise and unbiased result in line with your color indices of choice. Sample measurement takes only seconds, streamlining your quality control operations and providing a clear understanding of where your color accuracy stands — and how it can improve.

Finding the right spectrophotometer for plastic bottle color measurement is as simple as browsing the HunterLab site. We offer multiple products suitable for plastics, but when it comes to plastic bottles, the UltraScan VIS is the clear winner. Gather multiple measurements simultaneously and take advantage of automated UV calibration and control to enhance productivity in the workplace.

Meet Sustainability Goals With HunterLab

Accurate color measurement does more than improve the visual appearance of plastic bottles. Using a spectrophotometer from HunterLab can also contribute to sustainability goals. These devices provide quick results for early detection of color discrepancies in raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods.

By catching these issues early, you can prevent significant waste from defective items that might otherwise end up in landfills or scrapyards. You can also reduce your energy usage by spending less time producing products that must be discarded. Reduced energy usage means fewer carbon emissions. Accurate color measurement also supports recycling by ensuring proper color even in recycled materials. 

Companies striving to meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics use HunterLab spectrophotometers to reduce rework, scrap, and energy waste. As government regulations evolve to prioritize sustainability, you may seek solutions that can influence your metrics. Our spectrophotometers allow you to minimize wasted materials and energy so you can use your resources most effectively. 

Discover the UltraScan VIS With HunterLab

HunterLab's suite of spectrophotometers is here to help you thrive. Connect with us today to learn more about the UltraScan VIS or any of our other plastic color measurement solutions.