Observer responses to colour perturbations in reflection prints

Abstract

The results of investigations into observer response to perturbations of colour prints with known CIELAB colour differences from a standard reproduction are assessed. The responses in terms of acceptability and perceptibility of colour differences are related to percentage imperceptibility, being defined as 100—perceptibility. The acceptability and imperceptibility of colour reproduction are evaluated as functions of CIELAB colour difference, giving good fits to a single simple mathematical function but with differing parameters. A near-constant ratio of acceptable to imperceptible colour difference is found to apply over the entire range of observer responses.

Keywords:

• colour perturbations
• reflection prints
• acceptability
• perceptibility
• imperceptibility