A gloss meter for printing industry is a precision instrument used to measure the surface gloss of printed paper, printing ink, labels, cartons, coated sheets, laminated packaging, UV-coated prints and varnished materials. The instrument displays reflected-light measurements in Gloss Units (GU), helping printing and packaging companies maintain consistent surface appearance across production batches.
Bionics Scientific supplies digital single-angle and multi-angle gloss meters for printing, paper, packaging, paint, metal, plastic and coating applications. The instrument helps quality-control teams identify variations caused by ink formulation, paper coating, lamination, varnishing, surface smoothness and production conditions.
The 60° measurement angle is commonly used for general and medium-gloss surfaces. The 20° angle provides improved differentiation on high-gloss finishes, while the 85° angle is suitable for low-gloss and matte surfaces. A multi-angle gloss meter is useful when different printed materials and surface finishes are tested.
A digital gloss meter works on the principle of specular reflection. The instrument directs a controlled beam of light onto the printed or coated surface at a defined angle. A detector measures the amount of light reflected from the surface and converts it into a numerical result expressed in Gloss Units.
A higher GU reading generally indicates a shinier surface, while a lower reading indicates a matte or less reflective finish. By comparing production readings with an approved master sample, printing and packaging manufacturers can identify gloss variation before final dispatch.
Surface gloss affects the visual appearance and perceived quality of printed products. Differences in gloss may occur because of changes in paper coating, ink quantity, drying, UV coating, varnish application, lamination or printing-machine settings. Visual inspection alone may not identify small differences between batches.
A printing gloss meter provides objective and repeatable readings for incoming material inspection, process control and final quality checking. This helps maintain uniform gloss across labels, cartons, brochures, magazines and packaging materials.
| Measurement Angle | Recommended Surface | Printing Application |
|---|---|---|
| 20° | High-gloss surfaces | Glossy laminates, polished coatings and high-gloss UV finishes |
| 60° | General and medium-gloss surfaces | Printed paper, ink, labels, cartons and general packaging |
| 85° | Low-gloss and matte surfaces | Matte paper, matte coatings and low-gloss laminated packaging |
| Product | Gloss Meter |
|---|---|
| Suitable Applications | Printing, Paper, Packaging, Paint, Metal and Coated Surfaces |
| Accuracy | ±1 GU |
| Angle Heads | 20°, 60° and 85° |
| Resolution | 0.1 GU |
| Power Supply | Rechargeable batteries |
| PC Compatibility | Yes, through USB interface |
| Measurement Range | Model dependent: up to 1000 GU or 2000 GU |
| Sensor | V(x) Silicon Photodiode |
| Light Source | Specially designed light source |
| Memory | 200 Readings per angle |
| Filters | Optional |
| Accessories | Carrying case, USB cable, Operating manual, Battery |
| Implementation of Standards | GB/T 9754, ISO 2813, ASTM D523, ASTM C584, GB/T 8807, GB/T 9966 |
Bionics Scientific supplies digital single-angle and multi-angle gloss meters for printing, packaging, paper, paint, metal, plastic and coating applications. Measurement range, memory, software compatibility and supported standards may vary according to the selected model.
Contact our technical team through our Contact Us page to choose the right Gloss Meter for your printing, paper and packaging applications. Share your sample material, expected gloss range and required measurement angle for expert assistance. Our team will help you select a suitable model and provide product specifications, pricing and delivery information.
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