Ever wonder how SiTECH matches the exact color for your custom product to ensure uniformity and aesthetics? Despite the nature of your application, it’s important to be consistent in color so that no abnormalities or differences are detected in the flow of your product. Our team is able to match colors for your custom silicone keypads, all within 1 Delta-E.
In normal speak, that just means we are able to match the silicone color or any graphic artwork applied to it. Delta-E (dE) displays the distance between two colors in numerical form. Why are we so exact when holding our colors to 1.0 dE? Well, this is the tiniest color difference the human eye is able to see without any help.
For any number smaller than 1.0 dE, you would need a visual aid of some kind in order to differentiate it. That’s why we use something called a spectrophotometer, which is a precise instrument responsible for measuring the keypad’s color itself or the color of printed rubber keypads you specified.
So, if you have:
- A highly detailed design to be used on a clear molded silicone component or keypad or component, we can use a special laser to etch the graphic.
- A specific color request for your product to exactly match your logo, we can draw up a prototype for your approval before we send for final manufacturing.
Taking a Look at the Pantone Color Matching System: Explained
We use the Pantone Color Matching System (PMS) as our standards for color. Why?
- It’s the most common standardized color system used globally.
- We go beyond that, though, to match unique colors that are not listed on the Pantone Color Matching System.
- This is achieved by taking measurements of the required color and then calculating a formula to produce it through a combination of particular colors.
SiTECH utilizes the Pantone Solid palette – made up of 1,114 colors! Each one of those is identified by a three- or four-digit number, then 3 different suffixes:
- C: coated
- U: uncoated
- M: matte
“Coated” is the only suffix we will match due to the difference in colors between coated and uncoated stocks. Uncoated stocks happen to be more absorbent than coated, and are impacted by “dot gain” – the effect of half-tone dots that multiply in area between the original film and the printed surface. As a result, slight variations in the final color can be seen.
Silicone-Based Inks for Printing on Rubber
We use silicone-based inks for our printed silicone keypads and components for any printing needs on silicone rubber materials. The ink remains in liquid form during the manufacturing process, then achieves stability after 24 hours at normal room temperature. We then heat-cure it for 10 minutes.
This is to:
- Ensure accuracy and repeatability.
- Track and record results for reference in future projects.
- Create a permanent bond when applied to any silicone product.
Going a few steps further, we apply an abrasion-resistant coating that ensures a longer lifespan for your product, as well as coatings that protect your product from harsh chemicals and petroleum for a clean matte finish.
You won’t find more colors than here at SiTECH! We have a huge variety of coating colors for your clear, molded, backlit silicone components. Our color matching process is second to none.
Learn More About Color Matching By Contacting SiTech
To inquire further about our SiTECH Color Matching Process or to obtain a free quote on your project, please contact us today at 757-887-8488.
