Interview | Datacolor×Xinliang Plastics: Digital Color Management to Empower Masterbatch Color Matching and R&D Processes

The Challenge of Traditional Color Matching

Xinliang Plastic specializes in developing and matching color masterbatches for color cosmetics, personal care, food, and medical packaging. However, achieving consistent color results is not always straightforward. The team faces several common challenges in their daily work::

Color shifts under different lighting: The same color can look different depending on the light source, making it hard to maintain a consistent appearance.
Material color differences: pigments and dyes react differently on various materials, increasing the complexity of formula design.
Human operation differences: Differences in experience and techniques within the R&D team lead to inconsistencies in color results.

In addition, the company must balance cost control, efficient color data management, and strict compliance with safety regulations—making color matching an ongoing challenge.

Digital solutions: Better Color Control and Faster Processes

To address these challenges, Xinliang Plastics introduced Datacolor’s DC750 Spectrophotometer and Colibri color matching software, bringing a more structured and reliable approach to color management.

Much better color consistency: Colibri helps resolve issues where colors appear the same but behave differently under various lighting conditions. It provides accurate formula recommendations for different environments.
Standardization of R&D process: By reducing manual input, the system minimizes variations caused by individual working methods, improving overall consistency.
Faster development cycles: Intelligent color matching significantly shortens the time needed to develop new colors, helping the team work more efficiently..

The Power of Colibri Software in Complex Applications

Colibri’s advanced calculation and control capabilities make it especially effective when working with complex colors and different materials. It accurately determines the right combination of pigments and dyes across a variety of substrates, delivering reliable results even in demanding applications.

For example, Xinliang Plastics once handled a project for multi-material cosmetic packaging with very strict color requirements. Traditionally, this type of job would be difficult and time-consuming due to the different materials involved.

With Colibri, the team quickly generated precise formulas for each substrate. The first sample was already very close to the target color, and after just two small adjustments, the customer approved the result. Overall, the development time was reduced by nearly one-third.

Combined Benefits: Improvements Across Quality, Efficiency, and Cost

From both a performance and business perspective, the Datacolor system has delivered strong, measurable results for Xinliang Plastics:

Higher product consistency: Color stability has improved significantly, increasing the yield rate by around 15%
Greater R&D efficiency: Development processes are about 20% faster, enabling quicker delivery of new colors
Lower costs: The need for repeated color matching and adjustments has dropped by roughly 30%, reducing both labor and material expenses.
Better collaboration: A centralized color database allows teams to easily share data and work more efficiently together.

Datacolor Partners with Xinliang Plastics: A Trusted Long-Term Partnership

Beyond the technology itself, Datacolor’s technical support has made a strong impression on Xinliang Plastics.
From initial equipment selection and database setup to ongoing software updates and system optimization, Datacolor provides expert support at every stage.

As Wang Yichao, General Manager of Xinliang Plastics, explains:

“During a weekend rush for an important sample, we ran into a software issue. Datacolor’s engineers quickly accessed our system remotely and resolved the problem in under 30 minutes, ensuring we could stay on schedule”

This level of responsiveness and commitment has built strong trust, making Datacolor a reliable long-term partner for Xinliang Plastics