WHAT ARE M0, M1, M2, M3 MEASURING
MODE SETTINGS
In accordance with the ISO 13655 standard, the “M” series of measuring mode settings were
defined in order to standardize illumination conditions where optical brightening agents are
utilized in substrates. The following is designed as a quick reference chart of the 4 different
measuring mode settings within the “M” series.
M0 “Color measuring mode A” spectral luminance factor without polarization filter under a
light source that simulates standard illuminant A (gas lamps or LEDs, 2856 ± 100 K, from 420
to at least 700 nm)
M1 “Color measuring mode D50” spectral luminance factor without polarization filter
under a light source that simulates standard illuminant D50 with correct UV component <
400 nm (theoretically F8 fluorescent lamp, in practice only LEDs incl. UV LEDs, 5003 ± 100 K,
under 380 to at least 700 nm)
M2 “Color measuring mode UV Cut” spectral luminance factor without polarization filter
under a light source that simulates any standard illuminant without UV component (gas
lamps with UV cut-off filter < 400 nm or LEDs without UV LED, from 420 to at least 700 nm)
M3 “Measurement with polarization filter” spectral absorption degree (with RGB filters)
or spectral luminance factor (with spectral scanning head) with polar ization filter pair (in
radiated and in reflected light, crossing each other) under a light source that simulates any
standard illuminant (gas lamp or LEDs, from 420 to at least 700 nm).
M2 (UV Cut), through the comparison with a mode with UV component (M0/A or M1/D50 –
depending on the selected illuminant in M2), allows the measurement of the effect of optical
brighteners for suitably high-quality ICC profiles. M3 is suitable not only for measuring color
density (absorption under polarization filter) but also for color measurement of wide gamut
inks, effect pigment inks and for printing ink recipes (remission under polarization filter).
Techkon spectrodensitometers automatically move the polarization filter in or out when the
mode is changed. In this field of application, Techkon evaluates the effect of optical
brighteners through empirical algorithms.