Linshang LS173 Colorimeter for Textile and Fabric Color Difference Measurement Malaysia
Linshang LS173 Colorimeter for Textile and Fabric Color Difference Measurement Malaysia
Color consistency can be a major quality concern for textiles, fabrics and suitable colored materials. Two batches may use the same specified color but still show noticeable shade differences when placed side by side.
The Linshang LS173 Portable Colorimeter provides an objective method for measuring suitable samples and comparing color differences against an approved reference.
For textile-related manufacturers, suppliers and quality control teams in Malaysia, instrumental color measurement can help reduce dependence on purely visual color judgement and provide measurable information for batch comparison, incoming inspection and production quality control.
Why Can Fabric Colors Vary Between Batches?
Color variation can occur because of differences in:
Raw materials
Dye batches
Pigment concentration
Processing conditions
Temperature
Treatment processes
Supplier variation
Production batches
Finishing processes
Even when the same nominal color is specified, the finished material may not always appear identical.
When materials from different batches are eventually used together, the variation can become more obvious.
The Problem of Shade Variation
Imagine a manufacturer ordering the same grey material several times during the year.
Batch A → January
Batch B → April
Batch C → August
Each batch looks acceptable when inspected separately.
Later, materials from Batch A and Batch C are used on the same finished product.
Only then does the company notice that one batch appears slightly darker.
This is a typical reason why batch-to-batch color comparison can be valuable.
Visual Inspection Is Useful but Subjective
The human eye remains important for evaluating overall appearance.
However, visual color judgement can change according to:
Lighting
Viewing angle
Background color
Inspector experience
Eye fatigue
Individual color perception
Two inspectors may therefore reach different conclusions about the same samples.
A colorimeter adds objective numerical information to support the inspection process.
Using an Approved Master Sample
A consistent QC procedure should begin with a controlled reference.
Depending on the application, this may be:
Customer-approved sample
Golden sample
Master color sample
Approved production material
Standard reference sample
Future samples can then be compared against the same master.
For example:
Approved Master → Batch A
Approved Master → Batch B
Approved Master → Batch C
This provides a more consistent reference than simply comparing each new batch with the previous delivery.
Delta E for Color Difference Measurement
Delta E (ΔE) is commonly used to represent the measured difference between two colors.
Generally:
Lower ΔE = smaller measured color difference
Higher ΔE = greater measured color difference
This gives QC personnel a numerical method for describing the difference between a standard and a sample.
Instead of:
“This fabric looks slightly different.”
the inspection can include measurable color difference information.
The acceptable tolerance should be determined according to the actual material, customer requirement and quality specification.
Incoming Material Inspection
Manufacturers purchasing colored materials from suppliers can incorporate color comparison into Incoming Quality Control (IQC).
A possible process is:
Receive Material → Sampling → Visual Inspection → Color Measurement → Compare with Approved Master → Accept / Hold / Investigate
Detecting an unsuitable shade before material enters production can help reduce downstream problems.
Supplier-to-Supplier Color Comparison
Companies may source similar materials from more than one supplier.
For example:
Supplier A → Sample
Supplier B → Sample
Supplier C → Sample
Instead of comparing suppliers directly against each other, each suitable sample can be evaluated against the same approved reference.
This provides a more consistent basis for supplier quality control.
Production Quality Control
Where suitable, color measurement can also support production monitoring.
Samples can be checked at defined stages:
First Production Sample → Measure
Mid-Batch Sample → Measure
Final Sample → Measure
If measurements begin moving away from the approved reference, the production team can investigate before completing the entire batch.
Finished Product Inspection
Color consistency may become particularly important when several components are combined into one finished product.
A final inspection process can include both:
Visual Appearance Check + Instrumental Color Measurement
Visual inspection evaluates the complete appearance, while the colorimeter provides numerical comparison data.
D/8 Measurement Geometry
The Linshang LS173 uses D/8 optical geometry, referring to diffuse illumination with an 8-degree viewing geometry.
Controlled optical measurement can provide a more standardized approach to suitable color comparison than uncontrolled visual inspection alone.
This can help improve repeatability between different QC operators.
Special Considerations for Textile and Fabric Samples
Textiles and fabrics can have characteristics that make color measurement more challenging than measuring a uniform painted panel.
These may include:
Texture
Weave
Fibers
Surface direction
Pattern
Non-uniformity
Material movement
For this reason, the actual sample should always be considered when selecting a color measurement instrument and establishing the inspection method.
Multiple measurements may be appropriate for some materials.
Why Measurement Position Matters
If the material is not completely uniform, measuring only one location may not represent the entire sample.
A company may establish a procedure such as:
Point A → Measure
Point B → Measure
Point C → Measure
Review Overall Results
The same measurement method should then be applied to both the approved reference and production samples.
Consistency in procedure is essential for meaningful comparison.
Color Measurement Is Not the Entire Appearance Inspection
A colorimeter provides valuable color information, but textile appearance can also be influenced by factors that require visual assessment.
Therefore, instrumental measurement should be incorporated into a broader QC procedure rather than treated as the only inspection method.
For many applications:
Visual Inspection + Color Measurement = Stronger QC Process
Batch-to-Batch Quality Control
One of the strongest applications for color measurement is repeated production.
Instead of relying on memory:
“I think the previous batch was about the same shade.”
the company can maintain an approved reference and measurement records.
This can improve consistency across repeated orders and different suppliers.
Reducing Color-Related Rework
If an incorrect shade is discovered after cutting, assembly or further processing, the cost of the problem can increase significantly.
Potential consequences include:
Material rejection
Sorting
Rework
Production delays
Replacement orders
Customer complaints
Wasted processing time
Earlier color inspection can help identify potential variation before additional value is added to the material.
Who Can Consider the Linshang LS173?
Depending on sample suitability and measurement requirements, potential users may include:
Textile-related manufacturers
Fabric suppliers
Quality control departments
Incoming inspection teams
Supplier quality engineers
Production departments
Product development teams
General manufacturers using colored materials
The actual sample should be evaluated before selecting the instrument.
Build a Repeatable Color QC Procedure
A documented procedure may define:
Approved master sample
Sample preparation
Measurement position
Sample orientation
Number of measurements
Required color parameters
Acceptance criteria
Inspection frequency
Measurement records
Non-conformance action
A consistent procedure is just as important as the measuring instrument.
From “Same Color” to Measurable Comparison
Color quality discussions often begin with:
“Is this the same color?”
Instrumental measurement allows the question to become:
“How different is this sample from our approved standard?”
That difference is important.
The first question depends heavily on personal judgement.
The second can be supported by measurable data.
Linshang LS173 for Textile and Fabric Color Measurement Malaysia
MTM Precision supplies industrial testing and measurement instruments for manufacturing, engineering and quality control applications throughout Malaysia.
If your company is looking for a portable colorimeter for textile color comparison, fabric shade difference, Delta E measurement, supplier inspection or batch color consistency, contact MTM Precision with details of your sample so we can help evaluate the application.
Contact MTM Precision
MTM Precision Sdn. Bhd.
Showroom & Service Centre
No. 29-1 & 29-2, Jalan Bandar 18,
Pusat Bandar Puchong,
47160 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia
🌐 Website: www.mtmpre.com.my
📧 Email: mtmpre@yahoo.com
📱 WhatsApp: +6016-660 7346
Looking for a Linshang LS173 Portable Colorimeter for textile and fabric color difference measurement in Malaysia? Contact MTM Precision for quotation, product information and application enquiries.
12 Aug 2026
