CRI  (color rendering index), that index characterizes a white light source. It is expressed by a number between 0 and 100. It determines how well the colors of illuminated objects are perceived. The higher this index, the better the colors are rendered and the illuminated objects look more natural.

It is assumed that CRI = 100 occurs in sunlight where the colors appear natural. This is the maximum value for this index.

 

Does LED light faithfully reproduce colors?

It depends primarily on the purpose and construction of LEDs and the components used in their production, etc. a phosphor that converts blue light to white.

In fact, a few years ago, the light generated by white LEDs was not perfect, and the best of them reached a CRI value in the range of 55-70. With such a low color rendering index, objects, especially in colors and shades of red, looked gray. In the case of illumination of human skin, pastel shades took an earthy-grayish-blue shade, which was commonly referred to as "corpse light".

Technology does not stand still, leading LED manufacturers are constantly improving not only the efficiency of LEDs, but also a CRI is very important.

Neonica`s engineers, after two years of research, have created a completely new series of products called VISION based on the latest generation of 2835 and 2216 LEDs with a color rendering index of 90+.

 

 

Where is the CRI 90+ necessary?

For interior lighting, LED strips from the Professional Series with a CRI above 80 will be perfect, but in some places where proper color rendering is particularly important, the use of VISON LED strip with CRI 90+ is even mandatory.

These places are primarily a bathroom, dressing room or kitchen - there our eyesight is especially sensitive to colors and shades, e.g. when applying makeup.

Boutiques, jewelry salons, wedding dress salons, restaurants, beauty and hairdressing salons are just the beginning of a long list of places where the use of LED strips with a low CRI index may discourage customers from shopping, cause dissatisfaction with the selected styling color or lead to unnecessary misunderstandings and complaints.

Lighting with a low CRI has a negative effect on well-being. The reasons for this are the colors and shades and how we perceive them. Being in a gloomy and bland environment, devoid of the right colors and contrasts has a negative impact on the psyche of every human being, takes away the will to act, and makes it difficult to rest. That is why it is so important to use the best quality light with the highest possible CRI index when there is insufficient or no sunlight.

 

Why we don't provide the exact CRI value in the product sheet?

Depending on the diode model or production batch (bin), the CRI value may slightly differ. The production of LEDs is an extremely complicated and complex technological process. Therefore, in our products we have adopted the CRI 90+ nomenclature, which means that for a given tape the Color Rendering Index is in the range of 92 - 96.1.