Light-emitting diodes (LED) displays are set to a specific white point that informs how all its colours will be portrayed.
The traditional white point for graphic arts work is 5000 K, or (D50). This colour temperature will eventually be translated to print as it matches more closely with the common lighting conditions under which people typically read print content.
Regular sunlight has a white point that ranges from 5000 K to 6000 K.
Adobe Photoshop often has an internal default setting of D50 as well. It should be relatively easy to eyeball what white point is best for one’s content and their environment. The setting is fairly straightforward to adjust, so do not be afraid to try out several options.
Conclusion
White point may seem like a confusing subject, but once one is able to get a grasp on how and why it came to be, it is easier to understand. White point is simply an alternative way to refer to colour temperature, a concept derived from turn-of-the-century research on hypothetical black bodies and the colours they would produce if heated to certain temperatures.
In terms of signage, white point refers to the setting at which the display shows the colour white, which influences the way other colours display as well.
Gary Feather is a senior operations executive and an expert in display technology, imaging, lighting, and energy systems. He holds nine U.S. patents with co-inventors in television, display content, and light-emitting diode (LED) systems. Feather began his career at Texas Instruments, where he progressed through the ranks for 17 years before moving to Sharp Electronics, where he served as the senior vice-president of LED Lighting. He currently spearheads product development and operations as chief technology officer. He can be reached via email at gfeather@nanolumens.com.
