Colour technologist : Job description

A colour technologist is involved with the science and technology of colour application and its subsequent performance.

Colour technologists work in most sectors of the manufacturing industry, from cars to cosmetics. They produce dyes and pigments for textiles, paper, cosmetics and foodstuffs. They develop high technology dyes for applications in dye lasers, liquid crystal displays, fraud prevention and ink-jet printers, ensuring quality, performance and reproducibility of colour.

Some colour technologists develop highly sensitive dyes for biomedical applications, such as fluorescent staining, and protein and nucleic acid assay. They may also study associations between perception and colour.

They can also be known as a dyeing technologist or colour scientist.

Typical work activities

Colour technologists work on the development, application, measurement and perception of colour. Technologists who work on dyes and pigments are responsible for developing new materials and modifying existing ones. During the manufacture of products such as paints, plastics and cosmetics, they may perform an analytical role, ensuring accurate reproduction, even application, and durability. In the retail sector, they may liaise with suppliers and end users.

As all these particular roles require specialised knowledge or training, colour technologists' day-to-day activities depend on their exact role and industry, but tasks might include:

• overseeing the instrumental measurement of colour and the accurate communication of colour to computer-aided design (CAD) systems;
• identifying colours required by clients and developing processes for accurate bulk reproduction;
• developing new dyes and pigments to provide specified colours, meeting the demands of new applications, and offering innovation to customers;
• formulating dyes and pigments with stability in new substrates or across a range of technologies;
• testing new and rival products to establish claims for marketing and promotion to clients;
• monitoring colour reliability during production of dyes and pigments and application to products by using the naked eye and colour measuring equipment;
• anticipating the colourfastness and stability of dyes and pigments, alone and in sample products, under simulated conditions over typical life-spans;
• refining processes for the production of dyes, pigments, etc. to save costs and minimise environmental impact;
• liaising with factory production managers and providing technical support to dyers and other colouring agent users;
• selling dyes, pigments and coloured products and acting as a link between producers, suppliers and end users;
• working in small groups and managing the work of technical assistants;
• keeping up to date with developments in colour science through technical journals, conferences and meetings;
• responding to the needs of internal and external suppliers and customers.