Color as a promise of quality and a distinguishing feature
In numerous applications, color is far more than an aesthetic detail—it serves as an indicator of product quality, a functional performance feature, and a carrier of brand identity. In the automotive industry, absolute color consistency determines the approval of entire production batches. In the pharmaceutical sector, a specific hue signals the identity and correct dosage of an active ingredient. In cosmetics, color consistency expresses premium quality. And in packaging, color becomes a key communication tool at the point of sale.
However, these demands increasingly push the limits of conventional image processing. Color cameras provide only three-channel images—lacking spectral depth and chemical insight. Spectrophotometers measure more precisely but are usually too slow for real-time applications and capture only point values. The consequence: color deviations are detected late, production errors accumulate, and recall risks increase. Subjective visual inspections make processes error-prone and non-reproducible. Against this backdrop, hyperspectral imaging becomes the key technology for a new generation of industrial color measurement.
Hyperspectral imaging: understanding color — not just seeing it
Unlike conventional methods, hyperspectral imaging views color not merely as a visual phenomenon but as a measurable physico-chemical property. Each pixel in a hyperspectral imaging system contains a complete spectrum across numerous wavelengths, acting like a fingerprint that precisely represents the composition of the observed object.
This allows the detection of even the smallest deviations in pigmentation, binder distribution, or drying level—differences that neither the human eye, multispectral imaging systems, nor colorimeters can reliably capture. Thanks to this spectroscopic depth, the method not only detects that a color deviates but also reveals why it deviates: Is it due to pigment concentration, layer thickness, or optical properties?
Modern hyperspectral cameras with integrated sensors enable the capture of these spectral data in real time—inline, nondestructively, and with high resolution. Thanks to snapshot technology, complete spectral data cubes are recorded without mechanical scanning—free from motion artifacts, even in fast production processes. The result: seamless, continuous color control across all relevant spectral bands with laboratory-grade precision directly in manufacturing.
Application scenarios: Color as a functional control tool
The application possibilities of this technology are as diverse as the industries where color plays a central role. In automotive production, HSI systems analyze complex paints for metallic or pearl effects, uniformity, and clear coat distribution—across different materials and varying lighting conditions.
In the printing and packaging industry, hyperspectral imaging monitors not only color matching across various substrates but also print uniformity, drying processes, and material changes—such as with recycled or biodegradable carriers.
In pharmaceutical manufacturing, tablets or capsules are inspected via hyperspectral imaging for color, texture, and reflectance behavior. Deviations from the expected spectrum indicate dosage or coating defects. Similarly, in cosmetics production, these sensors play an increasing role by detecting pigment gradients, consistency differences, and structural defects even in opaque or highly viscous materials under challenging lighting conditions.
Process integration: From inspection to process intelligence
Hyperspectral color measurement is not just an inspection tool—it is part of an intelligent process. Cubert systems can be directly integrated into existing image processing systems, controls, and quality assurance software. The technology delivers not only color data but also in-depth information about the composition and properties of the examined surface or material.
With definable tolerance windows, formulation comparisons, and automatic alerts, processes can be regulated and adjusted in real time. Traceability, auditability, and seamless documentation are generated automatically. For companies, this means less waste, greater process reliability, faster response times, and a strategic strengthening of their production processes.
The future of color measurement is hyperspectral—and pioneering.
Hyperspectral imaging takes color measurement to a new level: moving away from subjective perception toward objective, spectrally validated material analysis. It detects color deviations early, identifies causes instead of symptoms, and merges quality and process management. Companies adopting this method secure not only the highest precision but also brand consistency, credibility, and regulatory compliance. Cubert provides the technology platform—robust, scientifically precise, and industry-ready—for a new era of color measurement.
About the Author
Dr. Matthias Locherer has been the Sales Director at Cubert GmbH since 2017. With a PhD in Earth Observation from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, he brings extensive expertise in remote sensing, spectral imaging, and data analysis. Matthias has contributed to numerous research projects and publications, particularly in the hyperspectral monitoring of biophysical and biochemical parameters using hyperspectral satellite missions. His deep knowledge of optical measurement techniques and physical modeling makes him a key driver in advancing innovative hyperspectral technologies at Cubert.
