D50 & D65 Lamps
Description
Printing, packaging, photographic, and other graphic art industries have adopted ISO 3664:2009 as their international standard for viewing color. ISO 3664:2009 specifies a color temperature of 5000K and spectral power distribution of CIE D50. D50 (5000K) is a near white light source and has similar amounts of red, green, and blue energy. It neither accentuates nor subdues color, a prime requirement when press sheets, original images, or printed material since they usually have many colors within the product to be evaluated.
ISO 3664:2009 requires that viewing conditions meet strict specifications with regard to color quality, light intensity, evenness of illumination, viewing/illumination geometry, and surround conditions. The best way to ensure that you meet these requirements is to use a color viewing booth that conforms to the ISO 3664:2009 standard. All GTI Graphiclite color viewing systems are compliant with the ISO 3664:2009 standard.
The lamps are the most important part of the viewing booth. GTI’s inhouse spectroradiometric laboratory and a 100 percent measurement and verification process guarantee that our lamps consistently deliver an excellent match to the D50 spectral power curve.
FAQS
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why do I need D50 tubes? | Color is Light, the color we see is influenced by the light source we view it under. For this reason, in order to create a level of standardization for critical appraisal of color, a standardized viewing condition was defined for the Graphic Arts Industry which includes print. This Standardized viewing condition is defined by the ISO specification ISO-3664:2009 in which the parameters of D50 compliance are well defined. |
| Can I buy any 5000K tube and will it be D50 compliant? | No, 5000K refers only to the temperature of the light and is only one of several requirements in order for the light source to meet the specifications of D50. |
| My spectrophotometer has a D50 and a D65 setting, which one should I use? | ISO 3664:2009 defines D50 as the standard viewing condition for the graphic arts industry. We should therefore also measure color and create ICC profiles etc. Using D50 illumination in our Spectral measurement devices. D65 which is also available on leading handheld spectrophotometers is used in industries where other standardized viewing conditions are defined such as paint and plastics. |
| What is Metamerism and why should I care about it? | Metameric failure is when two samples match under one light source but not under another. In print this is particularly important when comparing an Inkjet proof to a printed press sheet. The pigments in inkjet inks and the production inks will fluoresce differently and at a different rate under different light. This takes us back to the need for standardized viewing conditions and standardized measurement conditions. The proofing system is calibrated with a Spectrophotometer to produce accurate color under D50 and well calibrated proof will match a D50 Printing condition under D50 light but under another light source they may look very different. |
|
D50 Tubes that are ISO-3664:2009 compliant are really pricey, do I really need them? |
Setting up a standardized viewing environment is still the cheapest fix in color management and solves so many issues and questions. Many people today still rely solely on what they see in order to evaluate color, so standardized viewing conditions become critical in such cases. If you are still in doubt, contact us sales@digitaldistributors.co.za for your free GTI metamerism card and make a quick evaluation of your viewing conditions, at your press, QC area or boardroom. |
Refund Policy
Returns
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned.
- Gift cards
- Downloadable software products
To complete your return, we require a receipt or proof of purchase.
Please do not send your purchase back to the manufacturer.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
- Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Refunds (if applicable)
Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund.
If you are approved, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within a certain amount of days.
Late or missing refunds (if applicable)
If you haven’t received a refund yet, first check your bank account again.
Then contact your credit card company, it may take some time before your refund is officially posted.
Next contact your bank. There is often some processing time before a refund is posted.
If you’ve done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us at nicky@digitaldistributors.co.za.
Sale items (if applicable)
Only regular priced items may be refunded, unfortunately sale items cannot be refunded.
Shipping
To return your product, you should mail your product to: Digital Distributors PTY Ltd, Unit 22 Northgate Business Park , Northgate Estate , Brooklyn, Cape Town, Western Cape, 7452, South Africa
You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
Shipping outside of main area's will take longer than regular shipments. Please advise on order if you require it sooner and we will do our best to get it to you sooner.