Datacolor SpectraVision is a hyperspectral spectrophotometer designed to measure complex, multi-color, textured and small samples that traditional spectrophotometers often cannot evaluate accurately. It helps color teams capture objective color data from materials such as lace, yarn, buttons, zippers, gems, hair, dental ceramics, textured surfaces, plastics, flooring, wallpaper, cosmetics and printed materials.
Traditional spectrophotometers are highly effective for many solid-color samples, but they can be limited when a material is patterned, textured, translucent, multi-colored, very small or three-dimensional. In these cases, visual evaluation often becomes the fallback, which can slow approvals and introduce subjectivity.
SpectraVision helps solve that problem by combining hyperspectral imaging with digital color analysis. It captures detailed color information from complex samples and makes that data available for quality control, formulation, digital communication and remote approval workflows.
For a broader foundation on digital color workflows, see digital color management and color management solutions.
Why Complex Samples Are Difficult to Measure
Complex samples are difficult to measure because their color is not always uniform across the measurement area.
Traditional color measurement workflows work best when the sample is flat, solid-colored and large enough to cover the instrument port consistently. Many real-world materials do not meet those conditions.
Examples of complex samples include:
- lace with open areas and visible background;
- yarn, thread and trims;
- patterned or printed fabrics;
- zippers, snaps, buttons and small garment components;
- textured surfaces such as stucco, leather or wallpaper;
- multi-color composites such as stone, countertops and roof shingles;
- small plastic pellets or granulates;
- gems, crystals and dental ceramics;
- cosmetics with shimmer, gradient or surface variation;
- 3D objects with multiple visible faces.
When these samples are evaluated visually, results can vary by lighting, evaluator, background, viewing angle and sample positioning. When they are measured with a traditional instrument, the result may be an average that does not reflect the true appearance or individual color components.
For related guidance on difficult textile components, see facts about patterns, lace, trim, yarn and zippers and best practices for textile sample measurement.
What Is Datacolor SpectraVision?
Datacolor SpectraVision is a hyperspectral spectrophotometer that measures complex materials by capturing both image and spectral data.
Instead of measuring only one averaged area, SpectraVision captures detailed information across the sample. This allows users to analyze individual colors, separate shadows, evaluate patterns, calculate percentage coverage and communicate results digitally.
SpectraVision is used in industries where traditional measurement methods may struggle, including:
- textiles and apparel;
- plastics;
- paint and coatings;
- flooring;
- roofing materials;
- automotive components;
- cosmetics;
- dental materials;
- packaging and printed surfaces;
- consumer goods;
- building materials.
This makes SpectraVision useful for teams that need objective color measurement but work with samples that are too small, too textured, too patterned or too visually complex for conventional workflows.
For more on Datacolor’s product ecosystem, see Datacolor SpectraVision and what is Datacolor SpectraVision.
Image of button captured by SV shown in Tools SV
How Hyperspectral Imaging Works
Hyperspectral imaging captures color information across multiple narrow wavelength bands, creating a detailed spectral profile for the sample.
SpectraVision captures a set of images through multiple color filters. This creates a hyperspectral data cube: a structured set of image and spectral data that allows the software to analyze the color composition of the sample in detail.
For example, a floral print can be separated into individual color areas. A textured leather sample can be evaluated while reducing the influence of shadows. A multi-color composite can be analyzed by percentage coverage. A small button, gem or plastic pellet can be measured more reliably than with traditional methods.
This approach gives color teams more useful data than a single averaged measurement. It helps them understand what colors are present, how much of each color is present and how those colors compare against standards.
For more context on instrument-based color measurement, see using a spectrophotometer for color measurement and different types of color measurement instruments.
Measuring Small Samples with SpectraVision
SpectraVision can measure small samples that are difficult or impossible to evaluate with many traditional instruments.
A vertical configuration allows teams to measure small objects such as:
- buttons;
- yarn dyes;
- small gems;
- hair samples;
- plastic pellets;
- granulates;
- crystals;
- small trims;
- specialty components.
This is particularly useful in textile and apparel workflows, where a single garment may include multiple components that all need to coordinate visually. A jacket may include fabric, zippers, snaps, buttons, thread and trim. An athletic shoe may include mesh, lace, sole material, overlays and branding elements.
Each component can affect perceived product quality if the colors are not aligned. SpectraVision helps teams capture more accurate data from these components and share that data digitally across the supply chain.
For more on textile color workflows, see color management in textiles and textile and apparel color management solutions.
Small samples that can be measured by SV
Measuring Lace, Trims and Patterned Materials
Lace, trims and patterned materials are difficult to measure because they include holes, shadows, backgrounds, texture and multiple color areas.
A traditional spectrophotometer may average the sample area, including background show-through or shadowed regions. This can produce results that do not represent the actual material color.
SpectraVision helps separate the relevant color information from the surrounding visual complexity. For lace, this means the instrument can measure the material more accurately while reducing the effect of open areas and background. When paired with textile formulation software, teams can use that measurement data to support more reliable color reproduction.
This can reduce development time, physical sample shipments and subjective back-and-forth between brands, mills and suppliers.
For related Datacolor workflows, see Datacolor Match Textile and Match Textile color formulation and correction software.
Lace separated color with Tools SV
Understanding Percentage Coverage in Multi-Color Samples
SpectraVision can calculate the percentage coverage of different colors within a sample.
This is valuable for multi-color or mixture materials such as:
- stone;
- pigmented countertops;
- roof shingles;
- sandstones;
- decorative surfaces;
- composite materials;
- printed surfaces;
- patterned textiles;
- flecked or speckled materials.
In these materials, the final appearance depends not only on the individual colors but also on how much of each color is present. A countertop, for example, may contain several colored particles or flecks. A roof shingle may include different granules at different proportions.
By separating each color and calculating its coverage relative to the total sample area, SpectraVision helps manufacturers control visual consistency and material cost. If certain raw materials are more expensive, percentage coverage data can also support cost control while maintaining the target appearance.
For building and surface applications, see decorative surface and digital color management for wood coatings.
Brown tile image separated with Tools SV
Excluding Shadows from Textured Materials
Textured materials can be difficult to measure because shadows distort the average color reading.
Materials such as stucco, leather, textured wallpaper and specialty coatings have peaks, valleys and surface structures that affect how light is reflected. A traditional spectrophotometer may include shaded areas in the measurement, which can make the sample appear darker or less consistent than it is visually.
SpectraVision can help exclude shadows and focus analysis on the relevant color areas. This improves color matching accuracy across batches and supports more reliable comparison between standard and production samples.
This is especially useful when surface texture is part of the finished product and cannot be removed from the measurement process.
For related topics, see gloss and color measurement and best conditions for accurate color data.
Excluding shadows from textured material
Stucco and leather
Measuring Small 3D Objects
Small 3D objects can be difficult to measure because color may vary across angles, faces, curves or surfaces.
SpectraVision can support color evaluation for objects such as:
- gemstones;
- crystals;
- buttons;
- small plastic parts;
- dental ceramics;
- dentures;
- cosmetic samples;
- specialty components.
This is useful when traditional measurement methods cannot capture the sample consistently or when the object’s appearance depends on multiple visible faces.
For dental ceramics, gems and cosmetic materials, objective measurement can help reduce subjectivity and improve communication between technical teams, suppliers and customers. For automotive and interior components, the ability to evaluate small parts can support stronger color harmony across assemblies.
For industry examples, see color management solutions for the automotive industry and color management solutions for the cosmetics industry.
Gemstones and dentures
On-Screen Color Evaluation and Remote Approval
SpectraVision supports digital color communication by making complex sample data easier to share and review.
A sample can be measured in one location and evaluated by a color manager, colorist or quality team in another location. This supports remote review, global supplier alignment and faster approval workflows.
SpectraVision can generate digital measurement files and high-resolution sample images that can be reviewed on calibrated screens or integrated into broader workflow systems. This helps teams reduce the dependency on shipping physical samples for every decision.
For global supply chains, this can mean:
- fewer sample shipments;
- faster approvals;
- less subjective interpretation;
- better documentation;
- improved supplier communication;
- more consistent color decisions across regions.
For more on this topic, see digital color communication with color measurement instruments, keys to reliable digital color communication and how to manage color when working remotely.
Image of button captured by SV shown in Tools SV
Colorfastness and Performance Evaluation
In textiles and apparel, color must often perform under stress as well as look correct at approval.
Samples may be exposed to washing, rubbing, sweat, heat, sunlight or other performance conditions. SpectraVision can support evaluation of how color changes after testing and help teams communicate that data digitally.
This is valuable for applications where colorfastness affects product quality, customer satisfaction or compliance. It also helps teams make better decisions about dyes, materials and production processes before products reach the market.
For more on textile performance and sustainability, see sustainability and color in the textile industry and digital color management supports sustainability.
Supporting Online Catalogs and Digital Assets
SpectraVision can also support digital content creation by providing accurate L*a*b* or RGB values for image retouching and catalog workflows.
For online catalogs, product images need to represent color as accurately as possible. If designers or retouchers need to adjust images, precise color values provide a more reliable reference than subjective screen-based evaluation alone.
This can help improve consistency between physical products, digital catalogs and customer-facing assets.
For broader digital workflow context, see the art and science of digital color and brand color consistency with cloud color management.
SpectraVision in Action Across Industries
SpectraVision helps companies measure materials that were previously difficult, inconsistent or too subjective to evaluate.
| Industry |
Example Samples and Applications |
| Textiles and apparel |
Lace, trims, yarn, buttons, zippers, patterns and textured fabrics |
| Plastics |
Pellets, granulates, small components and pellet-to-plaque comparisons |
| Building materials |
Shingles, stone, countertops, stucco, flooring and textured surfaces |
| Cosmetics |
Small samples, gradients, shimmer and complex surface effects |
| Dental and gems |
Dental ceramics, dentures, gemstones and crystals |
| Automotive and consumer goods |
Small components, interior materials and multi-material assemblies |
The value is not only technical. Better measurement of complex samples helps teams:
- improve color consistency;
- reduce subjective approvals;
- shorten development time;
- reduce physical sampling;
- support supplier alignment;
- minimize waste;
- improve auditability;
- make color decisions with greater confidence.
For companies managing multiple material types or production locations, SpectraVision extends digital color management into areas where traditional instruments may be limited.
How Datacolor SpectraVision Supports Better Color Decisions
SpectraVision helps color-critical teams measure, analyze and communicate complex sample color more effectively.
It can support:
- nontraditional sample measurement;
- small sample evaluation;
- lace and trim measurement;
- patterned and textured material analysis;
- percentage coverage calculation;
- shadow exclusion;
- 3D object evaluation;
- remote digital color communication;
- quality control and supplier alignment.
When combined with Datacolor software and digital workflows, SpectraVision helps teams move away from subjective assessment and toward repeatable, measurable and defensible color decisions.
Relevant Datacolor solutions include Datacolor SpectraVision, Datacolor Tools, Datacolor Match Textile and color management software.
FAQ: Datacolor SpectraVision
What is Datacolor SpectraVision?
Datacolor SpectraVision is a hyperspectral spectrophotometer designed to measure complex, multi-color, textured, small and nontraditional samples that may be difficult to evaluate with conventional instruments.
What types of samples can SpectraVision measure?
SpectraVision can measure samples such as lace, yarn, buttons, zippers, gems, hair, plastic pellets, textured materials, dental ceramics, cosmetics, patterned fabrics, stone, countertops and roof shingles.
Why are complex samples difficult to measure?
Complex samples may include multiple colors, holes, shadows, texture, surface variation or small 3D forms. Traditional instruments may average these features or fail to capture the relevant color data accurately.
How does hyperspectral imaging help color measurement?
Hyperspectral imaging captures spectral information across many wavelength bands, allowing software to analyze individual color regions, percentage coverage and reflectance data more precisely.
Can SpectraVision measure lace?
Yes. SpectraVision can measure lace more effectively than traditional instruments because it can help separate the lace color from holes, shadows and background areas.
Can SpectraVision measure small objects?
Yes. SpectraVision can measure small objects such as buttons, yarn, gems, hair samples, plastic pellets and crystals, especially with its vertical configuration.
What is percentage coverage?
Percentage coverage describes how much of a sample area is made up by a specific color. This is useful for multi-color materials such as stone, countertops, shingles, patterned textiles and composites.
How does SpectraVision support remote approval?
SpectraVision creates digital measurement data and high-resolution sample images that can be shared with color managers, quality teams and suppliers in different locations.
Which industries use SpectraVision?
Industries include textiles and apparel, plastics, paint and coatings, flooring, roofing, automotive, cosmetics, dental materials, packaging, building materials and consumer goods.
Ready to measure complex color samples more accurately?
If your team is still relying on subjective evaluation for lace, trims, textured materials, small objects or multi-color samples, Datacolor SpectraVision can help bring those materials into a digital color management workflow.
Explore Datacolor SpectraVision
Want to Get Color Right? 
