* Test True Color Balance
* 24, 30 or 140 Scientifically Designed Color Patches

The Macbeth ColorChecker is a unique test pattern scientifically designed to help determine the true color balance or optical density of any color rendition system. It is an industry standard that provides a non-subjective comparison with a test pattern of 24 scientifically prepared colored squares. Each color square represents a natural objecthuman skin, foliage, blue sky, etc, providing a qualitative reference to quantifiable values. Each color will reflect light in the same way in all parts of the visible spectrum, thus maintaining color consistency over different illumination options. Some applications include spectroscopy, machine vision, photography, graphic arts, electronic publishing, and television.

The Macbeth ColorChecker chart provides an easy way to recognize and evaluate the many factors that can affect color reproduction. To evaluate the effect of varying any given factor, simply compare the charts color image to the actual ColorChecker. It is ideal for testing and standardizing color inspection and analysis systems.

The Macbeth ColorChecker SG improves on the original 24 patch design by offering a wide array of 140 colors. Specifically designed for digital photography, the Macbeth ColorChecker SG provides a semi-gloss background with whiter whites, blacker blacks, and more saturated colors. The chart features the complete mini Macbeth ColorChecker, extended skin-tone color range, and a 12-step gray scale block.

The color names for each of the squares are given along with the chromaticity coordinates x and y and the luminous reflectance factor Y. Also provided are the Munsell notations and the ISCC/NBS names.

A particularly useful function of the Macbeth ColorChecker is in determining the L*a*b* values of the test subject. The L*a*b* color model (CIELAB) is the international color measurement standard used to describe all the colors visible to the human eye. It is created to be independent from any device, thus maintaining the consistency in color. The L*a*b* standard consists of “”L”” (bright/dark axis), “”a”” (red/green axis), and “”b”” (yellow/blue axis) components. A positive value of a* describes the redness of the color, a negative a* the greenness. Similarly, a positive b* denotes yellow, and a negative b* denotes blue.