<p>The use of spectrophotometers for color measurements on printed substrates is widely spread among paper producers as well as within the printing industry. Spectrophotometer measurements are precise, but time-consuming procedures and faster methods are desirable. Previously presented work on color calibration of flatbed scanners has shown that they can be used for fast color measurements with acceptable results. Furthermore, the rapid development of digital cameras has made it possible to transfer the methods to a camera-based system, and in this work a moderately priced consumer digital camera is used for color measurements. </p><p>Earlier presented methods for color calibration have been implemented in the camera-based system and new modifications that can improve their performance are proposed. Moreover, if the spectral sensitivities of the color filters in the camera sensor can be characterized, this can further improve the performance of the color measurements. Two methods for characterization of the color filters are presented in this work together with methods that use the camera characteristics for color measurements. </p><p>The findings of this work show that a consumer digital camera can be used as a fast and inexpensive alternative to spectrophotometers for color measurements on printed substrates.</p>

The use of spectrophotometers for color measurements on printed substrates is widely spread among paper producers as well as within the printing industry. Spectrophotometer measurements are precise, but time-consuming procedures and faster methods are desirable. Previously presented work on color calibration of flatbed scanners has shown that they can be used for fast color measurements with acceptable results. Furthermore, the rapid development of digital cameras has made it possible to transfer the methods to a camera-based system, and in this work a moderately priced consumer digital camera is used for color measurements. Earlier presented methods for color calibration have been implemented in the camera-based system and new modifications that can improve their performance are proposed. Moreover, if the spectral sensitivities of the color filters in the camera sensor can be characterized, this can further improve the performance of the color measurements. Two methods for characterization of the color filters are presented in this work together with methods that use the camera characteristics for color measurements. The findings of this work show that a consumer digital camera can be used as a fast and inexpensive alternative to spectrophotometers for color measurements on printed substrates.