Macbeth Colour Checker Chart

One of the most photographed images in the world, the Macbeth Colour Checker Chart is a unique test pattern scientifically designed to help determine the true colour balance of any colour rendition system. It allows you to avoid costly mistakes by checking for potential problems.

Some of its applications include:

Photography: Check films, lights, filters and paper.
Graphic Arts: Check any printing or proofing process.
Electronic Publishing: Check scanners, monitors and proofing devices.
Television: Check cameras, monitors, lights and film.

The ultimate goal of any process of photography, electronic publishing, printing or television is to reproduce all colours perfectly. To help make meaningful judgments about colour rendition, a totally non-subjective standard of comparison is needed. That is why the Macbeth Colour Checker Chart was developed. It provides the needed standard with which to compare, measure and analyze differences in colour reproduction in various processes.

The Macbeth Chart is a checkerboard array of 24 scientifically prepared coloured squares in a wide range of colours. Many of these squares represent natural objects of special interest, such as human skin, foliage and blue sky. These squares are not only the same colour as their counterparts, but also reflect light the same way in all parts of the visible spectrum. Because of this unique feature, the squares will match the colours of natural objects under any illumination and with any colour reproduction process.

It provides an easy way to recognize and evaluate the many factors that can affect colour reproduction. To evaluate the effect of varying any given factor, simply compare the chart’s colour image (photograph, television picture, computer monitor or printed sample) with the actual Colour Checker. This comparison may be made visually or through optical density measurements.