Top 6 Things You Need to Know About Measuring the Color of Transparent Plastic Film

Accurately measuring transparent plastic film's color allows you to meet industry standards and produce items that appeal to the customer. When measuring the color of transparent plastic film, keep these six things in mind:

1. Understand the Influence of the Production Process on Transparent Film Color

When measuring the color of transparent plastic film, it is important to anticipate the color changes that occur during production. The production variables that can influence transparency start with variations in the plastic film's properties, such as thickness, raw or recycled materials, and opacity. Additionally, the presence of additives or plastic colorants can also affect transparency. 

Steps involved in the production process, including heat treatments, molding, or melting during extrusion, can also cause color shifts in your plastic film. 

2. Consider the Role of Haze

Clarity is often a sought-after attribute in transparent film applications. In those cases, the aim is to have a transparent plastic film where the objects behind it can be seen clearly. Haze can create a cloudy-like appearance that lowers the clarity of objects viewed behind the film. It is caused by the scattering of light in the material.

In applications where high clarity is an important factor, haze measurement of plastic film needs to be implemented to ensure the best results.     

3. Adhere to Industry Standards for Measuring Transparency

The ASTM has set standards for measuring the haze and luminous transmittance of transparent plastic as well as the transparency of plastic sheeting. Following these standards when measuring the color of transparent films is crucial for quality control and specifications purposes. 

4. Color Consistency Affects Quality 

First impressions are everything in plastic film applications, like packaging, medical devices, and electronics. The color of transparent film goes hand in hand with its quality. Plastic films with inconsistencies in appearance can be viewed as lower quality by consumers. As such, it's essential to leverage color measurement solutions, like spectrophotometers, to ensure accuracy and consistency across production lines. 

5. Accurate Color Measurement Contributes to Sustainability 

The demand for sustainability in the plastic industry continues growing due to stringent government regulations and a shift in customer preferences. Using accurate color measurement practices can positively impact your production process by detecting and correcting color discrepancies in raw materials and recycled products.

As a result, you can avoid product waste, use resources and energy effectively, and reduce the environmental impact of remanufacturing.

6. Improve Efficiency With Spectrophotometers

Spectrophotometers are used to measure the color of transparent film as well as other properties that affect it, such as haze, light transmittance, and light scattering. These devices also provide valuable data based on these measurements, which you can review to analyze and address inconsistencies and make sure the film's color meets industry standards. 

Contact the Professionals at HunterLab Today

HunterLab offers spectrophotometers that perform spectral analysis to examine various properties of plastic film. Our innovative color measurement solutions, such as the Vista spectrophotometer, provide accurate and speedy readings and meet industry standards, allowing you to get consistent transparency that appeals to customers. Contact us to speak to our experts about our solutions.