how to reproduce color from a printed sample

[Peter Rey]

Hi, as a designer I often have to reproduce with Illustrator logos and artwork from printed samples. Trying to find a color match with Pantone swatches is far too inaccurate and my shop has decided to look for a more professional way...

What is the most practical handheld spectrophotometer I should choose for obtaining LAB measures in order to create my Illustrator CMYK swatches?   

[jdanek]

Not sure even a "hand-held" photospectrometer is your answer.  If I understand you correctly, you have printed samples which you have to match.  But, prinited how?  Are you looking at a magazine ad?  A brochure?  Can you get the original artwork for the given logo from the manufacturer or similar?  I think Pantone may have something as far as hand-held color meters go.  Check them out online.

[Peter Rey]

I do pre-press work in a typography. We specialise in printing adhesive labels on offset machines and I am often shown some label printed by who knows who and then I have to reproduce it.

Which means I have to guess CMYK values for the artwork I do with Illustrator.

What we need is an instrument that reads LAB values from the sample, so that I can create the correct swatches in AI and also it would be nice if it gave some hint at what spot color it could be used instead of CMYK.

I know there are many makes of portable spectrophotometers that read LAB values but often they are complex and expensive and I was just wondering if some other designer had found a cost effective and practical solution...

[jdanek]

As an addendum to what I have already posted, this goes back to your CSR or sales rep to get the color info and write it into the job ticket.  This should not fall on you.  But, if it does, simply make a few phone calls and get the info you need.  Old school, right?

[JETalmage]

I agree that this is rather unrealistic, and reminiscent of what dear old Aunt Mollie would probably call "straining at a gnat to swallow an elephant."

If it's a proper logo, (i.e., one expected to be color-critical as all real logos should be), the color should be part of the logo specs, and should simply be obtained from the client or its design firm, not something to be interpreted from an instance of final print, whether by automation or otherwise.

However ostensibly "sophisticated" the scanner, it would still be interpreting, for example, an array of translucent halftone dots of CMYK process inks on some particular paper printed under some day- and ink- and press- and weather- and mood-specific press somewhere with who-knows-what level of hairsplitting colorimetric "accuracy." Pressmen can, and commonly do, make inkwell adjustments in the middle of a press run.

It's analogous to the pre-computer color house dictate to always strive to "match the original" before designers came to understood that mere algorithmic color calibration and real-world color correction are two different things.

JET

[Barbara Ash]

Take a look at Pantone Capture.

Pantone CAPSURE Color Measurement Tools

When using it you'll need good lighting.

Pantone 5 Light Booth | Color Evaluation

[KShinabery212]

I am surprised they are not sending you the color information.  I mean that would be the smart thing for your clients to do.  If they do not send you the color info then it will only cause problems.

Maybe ask to see their brand bible or style guide.  Or ask for the original files.