Manual Tinting vs. Software-Based Formula Correction

In many paint factories, color matching is still performed manually — known as manual tinting.
When the initial formulation doesn’t match the target color, the operator visually inspects the difference and decides which pigments to adjust.

For example:

• If the produced color is too light, a small amount of black may be added.

• If it appears too yellow, a bit of blue might be mixed in.

This method typically involves adjusting only one or two pigments, based purely on experience and visual judgment.
While it can work in simple cases, it has clear limitations in accuracy and consistency.

How MEC Color Matching Software Works

Unlike manual tinting, the MEC Color Matching Software performs a comprehensive scientific analysis of all pigments in the formulation — simultaneously.
It calculates the optimal adjustment for each pigment to minimize the overall color difference in the most efficient way.

This approach offers several key advantages:

✅ Higher accuracy: Adjustments are based on precise spectrophotometric data, not visual estimation.
✅ Reduced errors: The risk of over- or under-tinting pigments is minimized.
✅ Time and material savings: Corrections are typically completed in one or two steps, reducing waste and production time.
✅ Better metamerism control: The optimized formulations remain stable under multiple light sources.

Practical Example

In the example shown below, the initial prediction made by the software had a color difference of ΔE = 0.9 compared to the target.
After analyzing the concentration of all pigments, MEC proposed optimized adjustments — reducing the color difference to an ideal match within seconds.

The Result: Precision Beyond Human Capability

What might take a skilled operator multiple trials and material waste to achieve,
MEC accomplishes instantly, precisely, and repeatably — empowering manufacturers with data-driven accuracy instead of subjective estimation.