X-Rite 518 Color Reflection Densitometer - An advanced solution for Process Color Printing
Combines everything you need for exceptional 4-color proofing and pressroom quality control: spectral accuracy, a full range of functions, efficient operation and hand-held convenience.
Meets the Needs of any 4-Color Pressroom
The X-Rite 518 excels at quality control for all 4-color printing operations, including sheet-fed, web press, publication printing, and newsprint. At the touch of a button, you get density, dot, trap, print contrast, hue error, or grayness information, all of it calculated with spectral accuracy. The hand-held, portable design goes anywhere to quickly take measurements and deliver the data you need to keep your presses on target.
Special Electronic Function Selection™ Feature
With each reading along the color bar, the X-Rite 518’s Electronic Function Selection feature automatically identifies whether it is a solid, tint, or overprint. It automatically displays the correct reading and color being measured. EFS allows an operator to read an entire color bar in seconds. It also reduces guesswork and helps you finish your print jobs more efficiently.
Upgrade your X-Rite 518 to a 528 or 530 and you’ll get the ColorMail Express software and PANTONE Digital Color Library, too!
Should I upgrade to a 528 or a 530?
X-Rite 528: Measures custom colors, like customer logos and spot colors. It includes a digital version of the PANTONE library of colors, built-in, which means the colors never drift or fade, unlike with the color charts and chips. It also allows you to compare and match colors between color sample or ink drawdown and the printed product. The 504, 508, and 518 cannot do this. This is the minimum device we recommend for a flexo pressroom.
X-Rite 530: Will do everything the 528 does, but it also allows you to connect to a computer and interface with color quality control software. This is what we use when consulting and what we recommend for anyone, in any pressroom, big or small. If you are not going to use the software, however, stick with the 528.