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No, the Spectro 3 does not have the capability to create custom colors within the Spectro app.

The Spectro 3 will be compatible with our Bridge kits, allowing seamless integration with third-party software.

Calibration will be prompted at every device/app connection. If the app does not automatically ask you to calibrate your device, you can manually initiate this action by going to “Settings” (It is the icon in the upper left hand-side of the app) and then going into the “Manage Device” section.

You will be prompted to scan the two calibration tiles that came with the Spectro 3.

Once calibration is complete, you’re ready to scan.

The Spectro 3 will automatically calibrate when connected via Bluetooth. You can re-calibrate manually at any time by going to the “Menu” and selecting “Manage Device”. You will be prompted to scan the two calibration tiles that came with the Spectro 3.

To fully charge your device, plug the Spectro 3 device into any USB-C cable (there is one provided in your Spectro 3 packaging) for about 60 minutes. For best results plug the device into a wall outlet.

To turn the Spectro 3 on/off, press and hold the wake button for 10 seconds.

The Spectro 3 is portable and battery-powered.
Benchtop spectrophotometers are lab-based instruments used as the standard for maximum precision and repeatability. Spectro 3 delivers similar performance in a portable, wireless device built for faster, lower-cost use in the field. It also measures both color and gloss. In practice, benchtops set the standard, and Spectro 3 makes that standard more accessible.

Depending on the amount of usage, the Spectro 3 battery will last over 1000 scans without needing a charge. To fully charge, plug the Spectro 3 device into any USB-C cable (there is one provided in your Spectro 3 packaging) for about 60 minutes.

Spectro 3 requires a minimum of 5 volts to charge.

Turn the device off by pressing and holding the wake button for 10 seconds. Turn the device back on by pressing and holding the wake button for 10 seconds.

Ensure you are scanning the correct tiles if you own more than one Spectro.

Try calibrating your device while it is attached to a charging cable.

 If your device does not turn on, it probably means the battery needs recharging. Simply plug your device into any USB-c cable (one was provided within your Spectro 3 package at purchase) and let it charge for 60 minutes.

Make sure you have a strong signal on your smart device and your Bluetooth is on.

• Next, please reset by turning it off and back on. To reset: Hold the wake button down for 10 seconds to turn the device off. Hold the wake button down for 10 seconds to turn the device. On your smart device turn Bluetooth off for 5 seconds and then turn it back on.
• Delete and reinstall the app.
• Select “Connect Device”. Double-tap the button to initiate Bluetooth pairing. Your device will pulse WHITE then BLUE.
• Click on the serial number that you would like to connect to.

Once successfully connected, your device will pulse BLUE and the App will take you to the color match section.

If the device does not illuminate orange once plugged in, ensure the USB-C cable, included with your packaging, is placed in the device correctly. If you continue to experience charging issues, we recommend trying a different charging block and wall outlet. Keep the device plugged in for 60 minutes before trying to reconnect to the app. If you continue to have trouble, please contact support.

If a match is less than 1 dE, a touch up project can be considered. Extreme care must be taken with sheen selection and color production during mixing.

Spectro 1 will blend a multi-colored measurement surface within the 8mm diameter measurement area.

Custom colors can be saved and using Variable Cloud the saved colors can be packaged into new custom color libraries.

Please contact our Sales department.

While Spectro 1 and Color Muse are both reliable forms of color measurement, they each address different needs in accuracy, tolerance, and scenarios. Please refer to our blog post to help determine which device is right for you.

Unless the Spectro 1 is damaged, it is very unusual to see a degradation of performance. To verify accuracy of Spectro 1, the user can check against know color swatches from brands listed in our app.

Once the Spectro 1 device has been received, the user can scan and save color standards then periodically check against the color standards. Please keep in mind that physical color standards may drift over time.

Spectro 1 differs from normal spectrophotometers in price, portability, and software. At $300, Spectro 1 costs only a fraction of the price of standard spectros with bluetooth capabilities that allow for untethered color communication between instrument and database.

Base version of the Spectro app is FREE. More advanced features and color libraries are offered under our subscription plans.

Illuminants refer to the type of light used to calculate the best match during a scan. Each illuminant stands for the following: D50 (Sunrise or Sunset), D65 (Noon Daylight), F2 (Fluorescent Office Light), F7 (Fluorescent Daylight), A (Incandescent Light). You should select the illuminant closest to the light the surface you are painting will be in. The app has defaulted to D50, the most common illuminant used.

CIE Lab, LCH, sRGB, Hex, and more.

Spectro 1 comes with a 30 day return policy and 1-year manufacturer’s warranty against any defects.

If you need to submit a warranty claim, please contact us.

Variable will accept a return within 30 days of a receipt of purchase. The receipt must be provided for returns.

Spectro 1 comes with a 30 day return policy and 1 year manufacturer’s warranty against any defects.

Any Apple smart device running iOS 11, or newer, is compatible.

Any Android smart device running Lollipop (5.0), or a newer, is compatible.

Ensure internet connectivity and a minimum of Bluetooth 4.0 (4.1 will provide enhanced speeds)

Please click here to review our Agreement.

Gloss and Sheen are measured by the amount of light reflected off a surface independent of its color. Each one is measured at a different angle. This means the beam of light bouncing off the surface and back to the receptor is different between Gloss and Sheen. Paint products can have either gloss or sheen value (some even have both). Do not worry, the Color Muse 2 will confirm the best gloss or sheen for your match. Want to learn more about Gloss and Sheen differentiation? Read more.

Sheen effects how a color is perceived. It can make the object appear lighter despite using the same base color. Previously, color measurement devices were unable to determine the sheen level for an accurate match. Now the Color Muse 2 will provide the correct paint color and sheen for purchasing.

This can be accomplished if a user has Adobe Photoshop. To achieve this you would need to open up the Photoshop Color Picker, plug in the d50 Lab color into the picker, then click on the Color Libraries button to see the closest Pantone (or other library) color in Photoshop. This will pull up the closest Pantone color in the “Photoshop color space”.

Web colors are colors used in displaying web pages, and the methods for describing and specifying those colors. Colors may be specified as an RGB triplet or in hexadecimal format (a hex triplet) or according to their common English names in some cases. A color tool or other graphics software is often used to generate color values. A color is specified according to the intensity of its red, green and blue components, each represented by eight bits. Thus, there are 24 bits used to specify a web color within the sRGB gamut, and 16,777,216 colors that may be so specified.

CMYK is a scheme for combining primary pigments. The CMYK color model (process color, four color) is a subtractive color model, used in color printing, and is also used to describe the printing process itself.

At this time we do not support CMYK due to the large number/variations of standards available.

Delta E is a unit of measurement for color difference perceived by humans. The E stands for Empfindung; German for “sensation”. The scale goes from 0 to 100 with 0 meaning no color difference and 100 being the greatest color difference possible. Delta E has evolved quite a bit over the last four decades. It started as a simple mathematical calculation to later a calculation that incorporates adjustments to account for variations in a human’s ability to perceive color differences in different color regions. In the most modern delta E standards (delta E CMC, 2000), a delta E of less than 1.0 is not perceivable by most humans. People who either have superior color vision or have received specific training can perceive color differences down to 0.6 delta E.

Lab color space describes mathematically all perceivable colors in the three dimensions. L for lightness and a and b for the color opponents green–red and blue–yellow.

More information can be found here.

LCH is a type of Lab color space.

Both are types of illuminants constructed to represent natural daylight. The primary difference between the two is the color temperature of the light they are meant to represent.

Absolutely. We have many partners and resellers who brand our tool and who have had great success. If you are interested in exploring this type of relationship with us, please contact our Sales department.

Illuminants refer to the type of light used to calculate the best match during a scan. Each illuminant stands for the following: D50 (Sunrise or Sunset), D65 (Noon Daylight), F2 (Fluorescent Office Light), F7 (Fluorescent Daylight), A (Incandescent Light). You should select the illuminant closest to the light the surface you are painting will be in. The app has defaulted to D50, the most common illuminant used.

CIE Lab, LCH, sRGB, Hex, and more.

In a nutshell, it is an accurate and easy-to-use device and app that allows users to match colors to products like paint and fabric, among other things.

The Color Muse® device is a digital color scanner that connects via Bluetooth to a smartphone or tablet via the Color Muse® app.

Once connected through the Color Muse® app, users can scan colors from any number of sources and accurately match those scanned colors to products within the app, the most popular currently being paint.

Variable will accept a return within 30 days of a receipt of purchase. The receipt must be provided for returns.

Each Color Muse® device comes with a 1 year warranty against manufacturer defect.

Our privacy policy can be found here.

Any Apple smart device running iOS 11, or newer, is compatible.

Any Android smart device running Lollipop (5.0), or a newer, is compatible.

Ensure internet connectivity and a minimum of Bluetooth 4.0 (4.1 will provide enhanced speeds)

Please click here to review our Agreement.

No, the recalibration process is highly technical and sensitive. Recalibration should only be done by Variable, Inc. – the manufacturers of the Color Muse® tool.

The Color Muse® device itself does not require an internet connection to work, however, the smart device and app that it is connected to does require an internet connection in order to search the color libraries selected.

Although the Color Muse® device itself is very sturdy and durable, the calibration cap must be treated with extra care. If the calibration cap gets dirty or compromised, it can affect the accuracy of the scan results.

To fully charge your device, plug the Color Muse® device into any micro USB cable (there is one provided in your Color Muse® packaging) for about 45 minutes. For best results plug the device into a wall outlet.

If you go to the “Settings” menu in the “Manage Device” section within the Color Muse® app it will show the battery level as a voltage amount. Full charge is 3.9.

To scan a color, whether it be paint, fabric, or any other material, simply place the device flat against a clean surface or color sample and trigger the scan from your smart device. (Reference the “Quick Setup” page within this Resource section of the site for more information.)

The Color Muse® device automatically shuts off 20-30 seconds after it is no longer connected to Bluetooth. If connected to Bluetooth, it will stay on for 5 minutes before automatically shutting down.

Press the button on the top of the device once to power on the device.

Depending on the amount of usage, the Color Muse® battery will last over 5,000 scans without needing a charge. To fully charge, plug the Color Muse® device into any micro USB cable (there is one provided in your Color Muse® packaging) for about 45 minutes.

Color Muse® requires a minimum of five volts to charge.

Slow pulsing means the device is ready to connect over Bluetooth to your smart device. At this point, you will need to click the “Connect Device” button in the app to complete the connection.

Fast pulsing means the device has connected to your smart device and is waiting for confirmation (by pressing the device button again).

If your device does not turn on, it probably means the battery needs recharging. Simply plug your device into any micro USB cable (one was provided within your Color Muse® package at purchase) and let it charge for 30-45 minutes.

The challenge with phone cameras is that they don’t account for shadows, bright lights or direct sunlight. Cameras capture colors with Red, Green and Blue detectors, but human eyes see color differently than camera detectors. The Color Muse® device has it’s own controlled light source and can read the color you’re scanning accurately.

Calibrating the device prior to each usage ensures the highest degree of accuracy with your color match results.

The device is currently optimized and has been designed to scan standard paint, fabric or color decks. The results for glossy, “flecked”, and other types of color coatings that appear to change based on how you are viewing them will often times bring back less accurate results.

Upon initial connection, the Color Muse app does require internet connectivity to pair to the color matching device. You will be able to search for the closest match after the device is paired with or without internet connection. For best experience, we recommend staying connected to internet as some features may not be available offline.

Yes! To change the time for disconnection, open the “Menu” and go to “Settings”. Locate the “Keep Color Sensor Awake” section to change the connection time.

The “awake” time refers to the time the Bluetooth connection remains alive without performing a color reading. The connection may persist while the app is on and increase the timeout/disconnection time. This will lead to shorter battery life.

Yes. When you create palettes in the app you have the ability to share them via email, text message, social media, etc. In doing so, this creates a unique URL that allows anyone to view your palette. If you click on the unique URL, underneath the actual palette you will see “Download ASE (Adobe Swatch Exchange).” Once you download this you’ll be able to import the data into Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. When you do this, it not only gives you those color details from your palette, but also gives you the hex number.

No, we have intentionally not developed an application for the PC.

Due to the variables in the measurement results, paint color swatch reproduction, paint mixing, and the fact that paint on walls fades over time, it is challenging to get an absolute perfect “touch up” match. The match will be close but may not be invisible. We recommend testing this on a hidden section of your wall. Painting the entire wall will gain you optimal results.

Not currently. Currently you have the ability to save scans into palettes and then name the palette, but you cannot save individual scans.

Because each phone screen is different and lighting conditions in each room can vary, there is no way to show exactly how the color will look once applied.

Many factors can cause the paint to look different than the representation on your smart device. Since each phone screen is different and the lighting conditions in each room can vary, there is no way to show exactly how the color will look once applied.

Once you are in the app, create an account or log in if you previously had an account with us. After reading the onboarding instructions you will see the main “Color Match” screen. From here you will see “connect device”.

You can also connect the Color Muse 2 device by going to “Menu” and selecting “Manage Device”. From there you will see “connect device”.

We are always adding new libraries into our database. If there is one that you would like us to consider adding, please contact our Support department. Some libraries are proprietary, such as Pantone, and require specific licensing which could prevent or limit their availability to be added.

We are always adding new libraries into our database. If there is one that you would like us to consider adding, please contact our Support department. Some libraries are proprietary, such as Pantone, and require specific licensing which could prevent or limit their availability to be added.

Many of the apps available are named after a specific company. These companies use them internally for color measurement. If you don’t work for any of those companies, the Color Muse® app is all you need.

• A difference of under 1.5 ∆E equates to 3 stars
• A variation between 1.5 – 4.0 ∆E equates to 2 stars
• A variation between 4.0 – 8.0 ∆E equates to 1 star
• Any larger variation equates to No Stars

Creating an account allows you to have a backup of your custom palettes and allows you to view them online.

Any Apple smart device running iOS 11, or newer, is compatible.

Any Android smart device running Lollipop (5.0), or a newer, is compatible.

Ensure internet connectivity and a minimum of Bluetooth 4.0 (4.1 will provide enhanced speeds)

iOS 8.1 or later

iPhone 4S or newer

iPad 3rd gen or newer

Android 5.0 or newer

Must support Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth Smart)

Although this is rare, if it occurs, please simply delete the app from your device and re-download/install the app.

If the app crashes on launch, please delete and re-download the app. If you continue to have trouble contact the customer service team at: [email protected]

The Color Muse® app is available for Android and iOS devices.

Digital color is only a representation of a physical sample. Current technology in smart phone screens is unable to perfectly represent a physical color. The color scanned and the represented product results are based on our scanning algorithm, even though visual representation on the screen may appear different. Your smart device will not be able to provide an accurate representation of the product or surface you scanned.

Screen resolution varies from device to device. The color scanned and the represented product results are accurate based on our scanning algorithm even though visual representation on the screen may seem “off”. Also, computer monitors and even televisions can have the color of the display adjusted to display colors correctly while most devices do not have that function.

The Color Muse 3 can achieve 98% color accuracy when measuring an architectural paint fandeck from a national paint company in the United States. Fandecks have inconsistencies in the manufacturing process and may not always produce accurate physical color samples. For more questions, contact support.

Short-Term Repeatability is less than 0.05 ∆E00
Inter-instrument Agreement Average is less than 0.2 ∆E00; Max <0.75 ∆E00

Color Muse 3’s proprietary SurfaceSmart Technology is a 3-path color system that captures how your surfaces truly appear. By combining 45/0° geometry for real-world color (visual), d/8° SCI geometry for actual color accuracy (true color), and 60° gloss measurement for sheen evaluation, SurfaceSmart captures both color and sheen, delivering professional-grade results previously only found in devices over $1,000.

Both detect sheen levels, but the Color Muse 3 is more accurate, has longer battery life, and supports SurfaceSmart Technology.

Full-spectrum white LEDs

Patented color algorithms

SurfaceSmart Technology

To power on, press the blue button located at the top of the device. To power off, press the blue button again.

If the top button appears stuck, try gently moving it from different angles to dislodge it. For additional help, contact support.

1. Ensure you have a strong Cellular or WiFi signal on your smart device and that Bluetooth is enabled.
2. Turn the device off, then press the blue power button to turn it back on.
3. On your smart device, toggle Bluetooth off and back on.
4. Fully exit and re-launch the Color Muse app.
5. Select “Connect Device”. Tap the button to initiate Bluetooth pairing. Your device will pulse WHITE, then BLUE once you have fully connected to the app.
6. Click on the serial number that you would like to connect to.
7. Once successfully connected, your device will pulse BLUE, and the App will take you to the color match section.
8. If you’re still having issues, we recommend the following steps:
   1. Delete the Color Muse App and then reset your smartphone or tablet by turning it off and then turning it back on. 
   2. Download a fresh install of the Color Muse App. 
   3. Return to step 5 and attempt to reconnect your device. 

If your device does not turn on, it may need to be recharged. Plug the device into any USB-C cable (one is provided within the Color Muse 3 package) and let it charge for 90 minutes. If this does not resolve the issue, please contact support.

To fully charge the device, plug the Color Muse 3 into the USB-C cable (included in the Color Muse 3 package) for 90 minutes. For best results, plug the device into a wall outlet. The device will illuminate solid ORANGE when it’s charging. Once the device reaches full charge, the top button will illuminate solid GREEN to show a full battery. You can also check the battery level in-app by going to “Menu” and selecting “Manage Device”. The battery is fully charged when the battery percentage shows 100%.

The ColorMuse 3 battery is expected to last approximately 12 months when the device is turned off and in standby mode. When fully charged, the Color Muse 3 can scan 1,000 continuous measurements.

If the device does not illuminate green once plugged in, ensure the USB-C cable, included with your packaging, is inserted correctly into the device. If you continue to experience charging issues, we recommend trying a different charging block and wall outlet. Keep the device plugged in for 90 minutes before trying to reconnect to the app. If you continue to experience trouble, please contact our support team.

96%+ match accuracy

Short-Term Repeatability is less than <0.05 ∆E00 Inter-instrument Agreement AVG. <0.2 ∆E00, Max <0.75 ∆E00

Illuminants refer to the type of light used to calculate the best match during a scan. Each illuminant stands for the following: D50 (Sunrise or Sunset), D65 (Noon Daylight), F2 (Fluorescent Office Light), F7 (Fluorescent Daylight), A (Incandescent Light). You should select the illuminant closest to the light the surface you are painting will be in. The app has defaulted to D50, the most common illuminant used.

8 mm diameter area for scanning

45/0 measuring optics

2-degree standard observer

White calibration point

Sheen detector

CIE Lab, LCH, sRGB, Hex, and more.

The Color Muse 2 is a color and sheen matching device that provides accurate, on-the-go paint and color matching. Scan the color of any flat surface, match the color to the closest paint colors and products, and create folders to share. Color Muse 2 takes the frustration out of finding that perfect color by ensuring you find the closest available match.

Bluetooth 4.1 and USB

Color Muse is a color and sheen matching device that provides accurate, on-the-go paint color matching. Scan the color of any flat surface, match the color to the closest paint colors and products, and create folders to share. The Color Muse 2 takes the frustration out of finding that perfect color by ensuring you find the closest available match. The Color Muse device is a color matching device designed to locate the best matching paints and products. The Color Muse 2 is Variable’s newest portable color matching device. Unlike the previous version, Color Muse 2 will find the closest paint color match AND sheen level.

Variable will accept a return within 30 days of a receipt of purchase. The receipt must be provided for returns.

Each Color Muse 2 comes with a 1-year warranty against manufacturer defects. To determine manufacturer defects, the device may need to be returned to our facility for testing.

Weight- 56g 46.25mm tall

46.75mm diameter

Measurement size: 8mm

Full-spectrum white LEDs

Patented color algorithms

Any Apple smart device running iOS 11, or newer, is compatible.

Any Android smart device running Lollipop (5.0), or a newer, is compatible.

Ensure internet connectivity and a minimum of Bluetooth 4.0 (4.1 will provide enhanced speeds)

Please click here to review our Agreement.

Phone cameras vary in quality between each manufacturer and cannot account for shadows, sunlight, and other external factors. Furthermore, cameras capture colors with Red, Green, and Blue detectors, but the human eye sees color differently than the camera. Color Muse 2 has a controlled light source to combat these external issues through our patented technology.

Calibration will be prompted at every device/app connection. If the app does not automatically ask you to calibrate your device, you can manually initiate this action by going to “Settings” (It is the icon in the upper left hand-side of the app) and then going into the “Manage Device” section.

After calibration is complete, remove the end cap, screw it onto the back of your device, and then you’re ready to scan.

When not using your Color Muse® device, keep the calibration cap attached to the device for lens protection.

In addition, it is important to keep the calibration cap as clean and pristine as possible to ensure the highest level of accuracy when scanning colors.

Upon initial connection, the Color Muse app does require internet connectivity to pair to the color matching device. You will be able to search for the closest match after the device is paired with or without internet connection. For best experience, we recommend staying connected to internet as some features may not be available offline.

The Color Muse 2 will automatically calibrate when connected via Bluetooth. To ensure calibration is successful, twist the aperture closed. You can re-calibrate manually at any time by going to the “Menu” and selecting “Manage Device”.

After connecting the Color Muse 2 to the app, twist the aperture open. Place the device on a surface and press the top button OR select “scan” in the app. The button will flash WHITE to indicate scanning. Once complete the closest paint match will populate within the app.

To power on, press the button on the top of the device once. The Color Muse 2 will turn off after 5 minutes unless the awake time has been changed in settings.

The “awake” time refers to the time the Bluetooth remains connected without performing a color reading. The device will remain connected to the app, even when not in use. Changing the awake settings will shorten the battery life.

To change the awake time, open the “Menu” and go to “Settings”. Locate the “Keep Color Sensor Awake” section. The app is defaulted to a 5 minute awake time.

Yes! To change the time for disconnection, open the “Menu” and go to “Settings”. Locate the “Keep Color Sensor Awake” section to change the connection time.

The “awake” time refers to the time the Bluetooth connection remains alive without performing a color reading. The connection may persist while the app is on and increase the timeout/disconnection time. This will lead to shorter battery life.

If your shutter is jammed, please contact support.

If the top button seems stuck, contact support.

If you do not receive any close matches, it would appear there is not a good color match within your selected filters. We would suggest expanding your filters to include more product results. If there are still no color matches, the color you’re attempting to match may not be close to any colors in our database.

• Make sure you have a strong signal on your smart device and your Bluetooth is on.
• Next, please reset and try to reconnect the device. To reset: Hold the wake button down for 15 seconds. The Color Muse 2 will pulse through the several colors: ORANGE, RED, PURPLE, BLUE, GREEN, and YELLOW.
• On your smart device turn Bluetooth off for 5 seconds and then turn it back on
• Close and re-open the Color Muse app.
• Select “Connect Device”. Double-tap the button to initiate Bluetooth pairing. Your device will pulse WHITE then BLUE.
• Click on the serial number that you would like to connect to.
• Once successfully connected, your device will pulse BLUE and the App will take you to the color match section.

If your device does not turn on, it may need to be recharged. Plug the device into any micro USB cable (one is provided within the Color Muse 2 package) and let it charge for 60 minutes. If this does not fix the issue, contact support.

Before making a scan, ensure the shutter is open on the device. Twist clockwise to open the unit. If the device continues providing white results, contact support.

To fully charge the device, plug the Color Muse 2 into any Micro-USB cable (one is provided within the Color Muse 2 package) for 60 minutes. For best results, plug the device into a wall outlet. The device will illuminate GREEN when plugged in. To conserve power, the lights will turn off once the device reaches full charge. You can also check the battery level in-app under “Menu” and select “Manage Device”. The battery is fully charged when the battery percentage shows 100%.

In the Color Muse app, go to the “Menu” and select “Manage Device”. It will show the battery level as a percentage. A full charge is 100%.

The wake button is also a great indicator of battery level. A fully charged unit will flash GREEN. A low battery will flash RED.

When you initially plug in the device, the Color Muse 2 will pulse GREEN while charging. Once charging is complete, the device will turn off. To check the battery is fully charged, unplug the Color Muse 2 and connect the device to the app. To view the battery under “Manage Device” in the “Menu” section.

A fully charged device allows about 250 scans. Factors like “awake” time can change this.

As the device charges, the top light will illuminate green. The green light will glow brighter as it charges. Once fully charged the light will turn off.

If the device does not illuminate green once plugged in, ensure the Micro-USB cable, included with your packaging, is placed in the device correctly. If you continue to experience charging issues, we recommend trying a different charging block and wall outlet. Keep the device plugged in for 60 minutes before trying to reconnect to the app. If you continue to have trouble, please contact support.