Utility of Color-Difference Formulas for Match-Acceptability Decisions

Pass-fail decisions for three groups of textile patterns around twelve color centers were correlated statistically with color differences, from filter-colorimeter measurements, according to twenty formulas. Almost completely acceptable or unacceptable patterns were omitted, leaving 854 involving over 37,000 decisions. A more balanced selection of 589 patterns involved nearly 28,000 decisions. Adams Chromatic Value type formulas, especially the Morton and the Glasser Cube Root versions, performed significantly better both than most others and than assessors too severe or too lenient and no worse than assessors of correct severity. Problems are discussed.