Simple changes to how you use color measurement technology and the right training can significantly impact quality control and your bottom line. Here are seven questions every quality control manager should be asking.

It is crucial to hit the right color tone in the production process and to produce it homogeneously across numerous batches. Color not only leaves an impression of quality, but can also be used as an indirect variable to control the process.

Color is a critical part of any product. It’s the first thing your customer sees. Whether you are manufacturing components for assembly or finished assembled goods, the color has to be right every time or you risk scrapping, reworking, or discounting the product. This impacts your bottom line.

Color is just one of the many aspects of an effective quality control program that needs to be strategically managed to ensure accurate and consistent end products. However, color can be surprisingly challenging to get right.

The automotive industry depends on consistency and predictability. From the color of the paint to the stiffness of the brake, car manufacturers devote significant amounts of time and money into making sure their products look immaculate and feel safe to drive.

Uniformity has long been associated with quality perception, and color can be one of the most striking visual giveaways if products are inconsistent. As a result, consumers are more likely to associate these color flaws with inferior, low-quality products or brands.

Regardless of your industry, manufacturers face similar challenges—increasing costs of raw materials, labor and talent shortages, global competition, and other factors limiting profitability. More than ever, manufacturers must create products more quickly and efficiently while maintaining the highest quality standards.

The exact color shade affects the value and identity of the product and the brand. Therefore, it is crucial to match the correct color shade in the production process and to produce it homogeneously throughout numerous batches.

Easy ain’t easy. Sounds like something said by cultural catchphrase artist and legendary baseball player Yogi Berra, but it sums up a conversation I had at a recent tradeshow in Atlanta.

Color is the first thing we see and the first thing we connect to. Color influences up to 85% of product purchasing decisions and more importantly, our reactions to color are 95% emotional, therefore the first impression or reaction is critical.