What the study found
The study found that many Color-aid Corporation color samples can be aligned with CIE color spaces, Lab, and LCh color systems, and with the World Color Survey palette derived from the Munsell Book of Color. Most CAC-220 and CAC-314 samples showed acceptable correspondence, though a small number differed more strongly.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that their conversion tables should help researchers compare studies that used different color sample sets and establish reproducible methods. The study suggests this could improve comparability in color cognition research across past and future work.
What the researchers tested
The researchers measured 65 color samples from the Color-aid Standard Set (CAC-220) and 67 from the Color-aid Full Set (CAC-314), which are two versions of a color sample system used in earlier studies. They used two independent laboratories, different calibration devices, and nominally identical D65 illumination, then computed colorimetric properties in CIE xyY, Lab, and LCh.
What worked and what didn't
Most CAC-220 and CAC-314 samples corresponded well, with an average CIE 76 a*b* Delta E of 3.62; six samples showed larger differences. The researchers successfully matched 55 of 67 CAC-314 samples to the World Color Survey palette by visual inspection, and inter-laboratory agreement was good, with Delta E values of 2.70–4.26. In contrast, their calibrations differed substantially from previously published CAC measurements, with Delta E values of 11.67–12.70.
What to keep in mind
The abstract notes possible reasons for the differences, including sample copy variation, illuminant differences, manufacturing changes, or sample aging, but it does not identify a single cause. The summary provided here is limited to the measured sample sets and comparison methods described in the abstract.
Key points
- The study aligned Color-aid samples with CIE color systems and the World Color Survey palette.
- Most CAC-220 and CAC-314 samples showed acceptable correspondence, with an average Delta E of 3.62.
- Six samples showed larger differences between the two Color-aid sets.
- The researchers matched 55 of 67 CAC-314 samples to the World Color Survey palette by visual inspection.
- Inter-laboratory measurements agreed well, but differed substantially from previously published CAC measurements.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Color-aid samples aligned with CIE, Lab, and Munsell coordinates
- Authors:
- Domicelė Jonauskaitė, Delwin T. Lindsey
- Institutions:
- SUNY College of Optometry, The Ohio State University, The Ohio State University at Mansfield, University of Lausanne
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-20
- DOI:
- 10.1002/col.70087
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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