Formulation Correction

After making and measuring a real sample, MEC compares its color with your target and suggests adjusted colorant amounts. Make and measure the new mixture to verify the correction.

1. Make the predicted recipe and record actual amounts.
2. Measure the finished sample with the target's instrument settings.
3. Update concentrations if your real weights differ.
4. Choose Correct Formulation → By CIELAB Values.
5. Enter the measurement and review the suggested correction.

Yes. Choose Formulation correction instead of New formulation, select the real colorants in your existing recipe and enter actual weights and measured Lab values. MEC then calculates an adjustment.

You need the target values, correct colorant set, actual colorant quantities and the finished physical sample's measured color using compatible instrument settings.

Use actual weighed amounts. Rounding, spills or manual changes affect the physical sample and must be reflected in the correction data.

Materials, pigment strength, dispersion, hiding, substrate, thickness, gloss, curing and measurements can make the physical color differ from the prediction. Check the physical process and then correct the remaining difference.

It may reduce some color error from slightly insufficient hiding, but it cannot guarantee a fix for serious optical problems. Fully hiding calibration panels are preferable.

No. Colorant adjustments cannot repair wrong materials, extreme differences in mixing, serious orange peel, substrate changes or bad curing. Correct major physical problems first.

Yes. Make and measure the corrected recipe, then repeat using its new real amounts and measured color if it still fails the desired tolerance.

It means the measured ΔE is within the project's chosen limit and equation. Check surface finish, gloss and other viewing conditions as well.

Recheck sample identity, instrument geometry, illuminant, observer, actual weights, opacity, material batches and curing. Unreliable inputs or process changes can lead to a poor suggested adjustment.

Using the same calibrated device, geometry and settings is best. If two instruments are needed, verify agreement using known control samples.

Sometimes partly, but major material changes can alter pigment behavior enough to require a new or updated colorant set. Verify with real production samples.

Where supported and when reliable data exist, yes. Enter sample values under the same illuminant/observer combinations defined for the target. One Lab triplet does not define every illuminant.

Check the measured L*, a* and b* differences and verify your sample quality. Then let MEC calculate an adjustment within the allowed colorants rather than relying only on a guessed pigment addition.

No useful process correction is possible without feedback from the actual sample. Measure the prepared material first, or perform initial prediction instead.

The illustrated existing-recipe workflow supports entering multiple prepared formulations. Record the correct ingredients and measurements for each and review corrections individually.