Evaluation of plant-based oils for production of offset printing ink

The oils and solvents are the main components of the printing ink, and the chemical composition of the ink could be harmful or toxic to human health and the environment. Therefore, there is an increasing demand to develop inks containing green, biobased, sustainable, and renewable raw materials instead of petrochemical substances. In this study, flaxseed oil (FO), pomegranate seed oil, plum kernel oil (PKO), and grape seed oil (GSO) were selected to produce offset printing inks. Pinus pinaster (P. pinaster) resin was also used in the formulation of inks to examine the effects of natural resin on ink together with vegetable oils. The phenolic content was analyzed for the resin and oils to figure out their potential antioxidant and bioactive characteristics. Optical and rheological tests were applied to evaluate the printability of the inks. L*a*b*, ΔE, density, and gloss tests were performed for optical evaluation. The viscosity, tack, and rub resistance tests were applied to perform rheological analysis. The biobased, environmental friendly, and self-drying (cold set) offset printing inks were obtained using natural pine resin and three different plant-based oils FO, PKO, and GSO. The printability analysis of the inks figured out the potential usage of plant-based oils in the offset printing ink formulation.     

Optimization of color design for military camouflage in CIELAB color space

The assessment of military camouflage is a key consideration in the modern military field. Traditionally, the assessment relies on traditional human visual detection tests because a large scale multi‐level and multi‐factor experiments are time‐ and resource‐consuming. One aspect of camouflage assessment, to which this current study pertains, entails improving upon or “enhancing” an existing or “selected” design. The current study presents a new and practical approach for enhancing the selected military camouflage by utilizing response surface methodology (RSM) of %L*, %a*, and %b* in CIELAB color space. Ten participants were recruited to evaluate 35 variations of %L*, %a*, and %b* on camouflage similarity index (CSI) and reaction time (RT). Based on RSM, the optimum combination occurs at L*: 61.4966, a*: ?5.6505, and b*: 10.5114. In addition, a predictive algorithm to calculate the optimum shift of %L*, %a*, and %b* from the original camouflage to the improved camouflage derived from RSM is also proposed. The optimum shift occurs at ?25%L*, ?55%a*, and + 80%b*. In the end, a new design guideline is proposed for the enhancement of selected military camouflage, which adopts the present study's research findings.     

Effect of mincing degree on colour properties in pork meat

Although the colour of different meat products has been studied, particularly in the final product , these studies do not separate the influence of degree of mincing from other factors such as additives, spices, manufacturing process, etc. The effect of degree of mincing on colour (CIELAB colour space) in pork meat was studied. Three mincing processes were studied, two using a grinder with 10 and 20 mm diameter holes in the plate, and a third in which a cutter was used to obtain a finely minced product. As control, intact meat was used. Colour parameters [lightness (L*), redness (a*), yellowness (b*), chroma (C*), hue (H*), a*/b* ratio, and colour differences], pH, and water holding capacity were determined. Mincing, regardless of the type used, increased the values of L*, b*, and H*, but decreased the values of a* and a*/b* ratio. The L* values increased with mincing degree. The H* values and a*/b* ratio of plate minced meats (10 and 20 mm) differed from that which had been finely minced. The mincing process did not modify the saturation values of the batters. Only the fine mincing process modified (increased) the water holding capacity of the batters. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Col Res Appl, 25, 376–380, 2000     

Improvement of light fastness of water‐based printing inks with addition of glycerol derivative containing thiol groups

The aim of this work was to study the influence of a glycerol derivative with thiol groups, 3,6‐dithia‐1,8‐octanediol (DTO), on light fastness of prints overprinted with water‐based flexographic printing inks. Laboratory printing was performed on various plastic films (BOPP and PE). The effect of a small amount of DTO on printing ink colour was examined by studying the optical density of a full tone area, relative printing contrast and the colour values (CIELAB), and the total colour difference, . Artificial ageing was applied in order to investigate DTO influence on colourfastness of CMY printing inks. Densitometry and spectrophotometric parameters were measured during artificial ageing by irradiation. Additionally, FTIR spectroscopy was used to observe the changes in ink film on printing bases before and after ageing. The print quality of investigated prints is widely discussed. In general, DTO addition influenced the printability of the plastic film and the optical density of a full tone area with an acceptable total colour difference . Furthermore, printing inks with added DTO exhibited higher optical density and smaller changes of during artificial ageing. Moreover, the FTIR spectra of printing ink films with added DTO after ageing did not exhibit any perceptible changes in contrast with the original printing ink.     

Optimization of quinacridone magenta,Cu-phthalocyanine cyan,and arylide yellow ink films formulated for maximum color gamut

Investigation of ink formulation options with the purpose to obtain color-gamut-optimal set of Cyan Magenta and Yellow CMY inks is reported. Implementation of the thickness dependent Kubelka-Munk model on multiple ink layers having different and well-defined thicknesses, provides characteristic absorption and scattering (K, S ) spectra of the ink ingredients. These data enable accurate computation of the reflectance spectrum and thus the L*a*b* color coordinates for any given ink thickness or substrate. Pigment materials investigated are quinacridone as magenta, copper-phthalocyanine as cyan, and arylide yellow. Scaling the peak of the absorption band to the number of molecules per unit area for the specific pigments studied in this article provides the molar extinction coefficients, 1.21 × 10⁴ , 4.7 × 10⁴ , and 3.3 × 10⁴ cm²/millimole respectively, regardless of the different ink formulations used, in accord with Avogadro's principle. Having a set of three pairs of K, S spectra is used to compute the color gamut of any CMY color combination in the L*a*b* space as a function of ink layer thickness and formulation. Using an iterative algorithm, a color-gamut-optimal set of CMY inks is obtained.     

Effect of orange fiber addition on yogurt color during fermentation and cold storage

Orange fiber obtained from orange juice by‐products was added to yogurt. Fiber (0%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1% doses and different fiber size: 0.417–0.701 and 0.701–0.991 mm) effects on color during yogurt fermentation and cold storage were studied. Overall composition, pH, acidity, syneresis, L*, a*, and b* values were determined. Sensory evaluation of yogurts was carried out. Fiber addition did not cause changes in yogurt acidification and color during fermentation process, though decreased L* value and increased b* value of the milk. Color evaluation along fermentation is pH dependent (R > 0.870). pH decreased and syneresis increased along cold storage. Because of the acidification process, L* value decreased and a* and b* values increased in all yogurts. Yogurts with 1% fiber were significantly different from the others along cold storage, presenting lower L*, higher a* and b* values, and lower syneresis. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 30, 457–463, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.20158     

UVA and UVC modification of photo polymeric surface and application for flexographic deposition of thin coatings

The object of this research was to perform, characterize, and apply the functional modification of flexographic photo polymeric printing plate surface by UVA and UVC post‐treatments. Photo polymeric printing plates have an important application in functional printing, where new printing inks/coatings and substrate formulations are used and the specific qualitative requirements must be met. The limitations of materials and processes often require expensive reformulations of the functional inks to achieve printability. Results of this research showed that the modification of the photo polymeric printing plate surface at the end of its production process can be used to precisely adjust the printing ink transfer to the printing substrate and thus eliminate the need for changing the ink/coating composition. By applying specific UV post‐treatment, one can create a flexographic coating deposition system of tailored properties adjustable to variable reproduction systems with high quality requirements. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43526.     

Effects of cold plasma on the color parameters of Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) using color imaging instrumentation and spectrophotometer

This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of cold atmospheric plasma treatment on the color of Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) and also to compare the usage of the spectrophotometer vs the color imaging instrumentation for the evaluation of the treatment on the color parameters. The experiments were investigated at different treatment times of 1, 5, and 10 minutes and the voltage values of 17, 20, and 23 kV. Possible changes of color were evaluated by using CIE L*a*b* values obtained with HunterLab colorimeter and CIE L*a*b* values obtained with a digital still camera (DSC) using digital image processing (MATLAB software). The values of L*, a*, and b* of the samples were obtained using both the methods. The results revealed that the L*, a*, and b* values of the treated Hyssop samples changed with increasing the treatment time and the voltage applied. Evaluating the interaction effects revealed that there was a significant difference in the (−a^*/b^* ) ratio. In addition, the results showed that the effects of all variables on the color parameters were significantly different in the case of the DSC using digital image processing. However, these effects were not significantly different using HunterLab colorimeter except for time variable and interaction effects of a* and (−a^*/b^* ) ratio. The lightest green color and the maximum chlorophyll content loss were observed for 23 kV applied over 10 minutes. Based on the results, the digital image processing can be used as a practical tool to study the variations at the color of dried Hyssop leaves after cold plasma treatment.     

Evaluation of viscosity and printing quality of chitosan‐based flexographic inks: The effect of chitosan molecular weight

Inks composed of renewable resources are important for the environment protection. We report preparation of a new type of edible chitosan‐based flexographic ink. The performance of three inks, containing three different molecular weight (MW) chitosan, was analyzed by the different experimental techniques. The Ink viscosity was investigated from the parameters shear rate, time, temperature, and flexographic printing simulation. The printing quality on coated paper was studied by the scratch resistance, contact angle, print fastness, chromatic aberration, and dot gain. Viscosity recovery rate reached 69% after 6 s, and the print fastness was up to 91%. The experimental ΔE is 0.97, the dot gain is 23%, and contact angle is 69° for the best ink. Experimental results indicate that the developed ink is suitable for the flexographic printing with good application prospects. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43997.     

Improving the compatibility of disperse dye mixtures using levelling agent — assessment through colour coordinates

The addition of a nonionic levelling agent to a dyebath containing a mixture of three disperse dyes in equal proportions and having similar hues (all in the red—yellow sector of colour space) significantly improved their compatibility, especially at higher applied depths of 3.0% and 4.5%. The dyed samples were measured for the differences in their colour coordinates with respect to the undyed substrate on a spectrophotometer attached to an IBM personal computer. The plots of ΔL* vs ΔC*_ab, ΔL* vs K/S, Δb* vs Δa*, Δa* vs K/S and Δ6* vs K/S clearly indicated the improvement in compatibility of the dye mixture.     

Studies on quinoline type dyes and their characterisation studies on acrylic fabric

Nitrogen heterocyclic fluorescent compounds and their possible dyeing pathway on acrylic fabrics was investigated. Their chemical spectral properties, including fluorescence and ultraviolet–visibility, were evaluated in this work. The colour fastness properties of these dyes attributable to light reflection and washing were examined. The CIE L*, a* and b* values after the dyeing process were studied and the colour fastness properties were also determined. Two quinoline derivatives showed stronger fluorescence properties and were also demonstrated to be non‐cytotoxic towards human HaCaT skin keratinocytes at a reasonable dose. These results led to speculation that these two compounds could be further used as dyes in various textile applications.     

The correlation between the interference colour and growth procedure of anodic titanium dioxide nanotube arrays

Titanium dioxide nanotube arrays were anodised from titanium foils in an aqueous electrolyte solution of hydrofluoric acid. The formed oxide showed visually different colours owing to light interference in the titanium dioxide layer. The behaviour of interference colour in anodic titanium dioxide film was investigated by varying anodisation parameters such as the applied voltage and the anodisation time. The morphologies and the crystalline phases of anodised samples were studied on a field emission scanning electron microscope and X‐ray diffractometer. The correlation between the interference colour and growth procedure of anodic titanium dioxide nanotube arrays was studied. The anodic films prepared under different conditions consisted of a compact oxide film with a nanoporous/tubular structure upon/beneath it. The crystalline phase of the anodic oxide layer was amorphous. The optical properties of the oxide film were investigated on a spectrophotometer. Optical interference could be detected in compact oxide layers when the thickness of the titanium dioxide was as small as 70 nm. In general, the interferences of the nanoporous/tubular structures were lower than those for compact structures. The empirical colour properties were estimated by the L*a*b* system. The relationships between the interference colour of anodic titanium dioxide film and its thickness and morphology are discussed.     

Improve neural network‐based color matching of inkjet textile printing by classification with competitive neural network

Nowadays, with increasing use of digital printing in the textile industry, characterization and color matching are very much considered. There is a very complicated relationship between pixel values of input digital image and colorimetric parameters of printed textile samples. One of the most important used methods for inverse characterization of printer and prediction of CMYK digital values is neural network. In this study, the prediction accuracy of CMYK digital values were improved by dividing the training samples into 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 subgroups using creating a competitive neural network. For classification of samples, L*a*b* or XYZ were introduced to a competitive neural network as input parameters. Then, the classification of test samples was performed by trained competitive neural network. To predict the of CMYK digital values of input digital image, a cascade‐forward back propagation neural network is trained by L*a*b* of each subgroup. The results obtained show that the prediction accuracy of CMYK digital values were improved by suggested method. The best result was obtained by classification of samples with L*a*b* into eight subgroups and using a cascade‐forward back propagation neural network with 4, 4, and 4 neurons in hidden layers.     

Color distribution of maxillary primary incisors in Korean children

The purpose of this study was to investigate the color distribution of maxillary primary incisors measured with a colorimeter. The subjects were 100 Korean children aged 2–5 with total number of 400 teeth. A spot measurement intraoral colorimeter was used to determine the color of maxillary primary central and lateral incisors at labial central area. The CIE L*, a*, b* value of each tooth and color difference (ΔE) among each other were calculated and analyzed. The range of L*, a*, and b* values, regardless of the type of teeth, was 72.7–84.9, ?0.6 to 4.9, and 4.7–15.0, respectively. Mean value (SD) of L*, a*, and b* for maxillary primary incisors was 78.6 (2.3), 1.2 (0.9), and 9.6 (1.8), respectively. Boys showed more red (higher a* value) and less yellow (lower b* value) hue than girls in the central incisors (P < 0.05). Mean color difference (ΔE) (SD) between two values which selected from overall 400 L*, a*, b* values measured (n = ₄₀₀C₂) was 3.9 (1.8) with 95% confidence interval range of 3.86–3.89, and most of them were found to be present around the previously reported clinical acceptability thresholds (ΔE = 2.7–6.8). Because mean intraperson ΔE (SD) was 3.0 (1.6) with 95% confidence interval range of 2.86–3.12, most colors among primary incisors in the same person were presumably difficult to discern by naked eye (ΔE < 3.7). Age influenced L* and b* values significantly, but the correlation coefficients were not high (r = ?0.182 for L* of central incisors, P < 0.01; r = 0.188 for b* of central incisors, P < 0.01; and r = 0.143 for b* of lateral incisors, P < 0.05). The present study showed somewhat higher color coordinates than the previous reports which based on primary anterior teeth in other ethnic groups. The results of this study could be used for the color modification of esthetic materials for primary teeth. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Col Res Appl, 2010.     

Prediction of optical efficacy of vital tooth bleaching using regression analysis

Establishing a colorimetric guideline to predict the effectiveness of tooth bleaching could produce a more reliable dental treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of tooth bleaching and to test the predictability of tooth color changes. A 10% carbamide peroxide bleaching system was used in studies at Harvard University and at Iwate Medical University in Japan. L*, a*, and b* values (CIELAB) for pre‐ and postbleaching were obtained and color differences (ΔE) were calculated. The b* and L* values of the original tooth color indicated a relatively strong to moderate correlation with ΔE values, whereas a* showed a weak correlation. The multiple‐regression equation obtained from the color data of Harvard subjects performed better than the predictive model. The predicted ΔE correlated strongly with the observed ΔE (r = 0.78). The validation of this equation on data collected from Iwate confirmed the strong correlation (r = 0.74). © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 29, 390–394, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.20048     

IR-change and colour changes of long-oil air drying alkyd paints as a result of UV irradiation

In this study the formation of photo-oxidative species was studied by monitoring the changes in the FT-IR spectra and colour changes. To stabilize long-oil air drying alkyd paint, separate and synergistic influence of two stabilizers were used Uvasorb^®S28 as the UV-absorber and Uvasorb^®HA29 as the stabilizer which inhibits the degradation of some groups. In the presence of UV radiation (450 h, λ > 300 nm), the alkyd paint undergoes photodegradation with gradual change of its colour. The photochemical degradation of the alkyd paint is associated with an increase in the hydroxyl content and broadening of the absorption in the carbonyl region. Analysis of the colour changes in alkyd surface during photodegradation was carried out by measuring CIEL*a*b* colour components (L*, a*, b* and ΔE*). Overall, ΔE* colour change correlates well with photodegradation of alkyd paint by relative increase of the concentration of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups determinated by FT-IR measurements.     

Color of natural tooth crown in Japanese people

The aim of this study was to investigate the color of the natural maxillary incisor tooth from Japanese people of all age groups. These results were compared with the Trubyte Bioblend shade guide. The subjects of this study were in the age range of 13–84, 42 male and 45 female making 87 people in total. Areas with 1.0‐mm diameter at five sites were measured along the tooth axis for L*,a*,b*, according to CIELAB color spaces using a Spectroradiometric Color Computer. At the incisal site, two significant positive correlations were found between age and a* (r = 0.376, p < 0.001), and b* (r = 0.483, p < 0.001). At the center site, a significant negative correlation (r = −0.418, p < 0.001) was found between age and L*, but positive correlation (r = 0.497, p < 0.001) was found between age and b*. At the cervical site, a significant negative correlation (r = −0.326, p < 0.01) was found between age and L*, but positive correlation (r = 0.702, p < 0.001) was found between age and b*. Near the root, particularly, the values of a* were greater than those suggested by the Trubyte Bioblend shade guide. In conclusion, as the Trubyte Bioblend shade guide does not match the natural tooth color in red‐green chromaticity near the root, it is significant for us in dentistry to develop new shade guides that match the Japanese people based on the data collected. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Col Res Appl, 25, 43–48, 2000     

A fallacy in the definition of ΔH*

When a color differs from the reference, it is desirable to ascribe the difference to differences in the perceptual attributes of hue, chroma, and/or lightness through psychometric correlates of these attributes. To this end, the CIE has recommended the quantity ΔH* as a psychometric correlate of hue as defined by ΔH* = [(ΔE*)² - (ΔL*)² - (ΔC*)²]^1/2, where the correlates correspond to either the 1976 CIELAB or CIELUV color spaces. Since ΔH* is defined as a “leftover,” this definition is valid only to the extent that ΔE* comprises exclusively ΔL*, ΔC*, and ΔH* and that ΔL*, ΔC*, and ΔH* are mutually independent compositionally, both psychophysically and psychometrically. It will be shown that as now defined ΔH* lacks psychometric independence of chroma and always leads to incorrect hue difference determination. Such a deficiency causes problems, especially in the halftone color printing industry, since it can suggest an incorrect adjustment for the hue of the inks. A revised definition herein of ΔH* provides a psychometric hue difference independent of chroma, valid for large and small psychometric color differences regardless of chroma. However, for small chromas, the seldom used metric ΔC might be a better color difference metric than ΔH* because complex appearance effects make the perceptual discrimination of lightness, chroma, and hue components more difficult than for high chromas.     

Three‐dimensional color prediction modeling of single‐ and double‐layered woven fabrics

In this research, the three‐dimensional structural and colorimetric modeling of three‐dimensional woven fabrics was conducted for accurate color predictions. One‐hundred forty single‐ and double‐layered woven samples in a wide range of colors were produced. With the consideration of their three‐dimensional structural parameters, three‐dimensional color prediction models, K/S‐, R‐, and L*a*b*‐based models, were developed through the optimization of previous two‐dimensional models which have been reported to be the three most accurate models for single‐layered woven structures. The accuracy of the new three‐dimensional models was evaluated by calculating the color differences ΔL*, ΔC*, Δh°, and ΔE_CMC(2:1) between the measured and the predicted colors of the samples, and then the error values were compared to those of the two‐dimensional models. As a result, there has been an overall improvement in color predictions of all models with a decrease in ΔE_CMC(2:1) from 10.30 to 5.25 units on average after the three‐dimensional modeling.