X-Rite
X-Rite is a United States-based color-measurement and color-management brand serving imaging, printing, manufacturing, and other industrial markets.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
X-Rite is a color-science and measurement company headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Its products are used to measure, communicate, reproduce, and control color across physical and digital production environments. The company’s portfolio has historically included instruments for color measurement, densitometry, quality control, and color management, as well as software and color standards associated with brands acquired during its expansion. X-Rite serves professional and industrial users rather than primarily selling consumer goods, with applications in graphic arts, commercial and packaging printing, photography, display and imaging workflows, manufacturing, and other processes in which color consistency is a quality requirement. The company was incorporated in 1958 by seven engineers who had worked at Lear Siegler. Its earliest business was not centered on general-purpose colorimetry. X-Rite introduced x-ray marking tape in 1968, and that product provided the basis for the company’s name. In 1975 it introduced its first densitometer for photographic-printing applications, establishing a connection with imaging-process control that became important to its later business. X-Rite also purchased H. Miller Graphic Arts in 1966, expanding its relationship with graphic-arts users. During the late twentieth century, X-Rite increasingly shifted its emphasis toward colorimetry. This change reflected the growing importance of objective color measurement in printing, photographic processing, manufacturing, and quality assurance. The company went public in 1986 and moved into a new headquarters and production facility in Grandville, Michigan, in 1987. Over time, its strategy combined hardware, software, standards, and workflow tools so that customers could manage color from specification through production and inspection. Acquisitions became a major part of X-Rite’s development. In 2006, it acquired Amazys, the owner of Gretag-Macbeth and the Munsell color system. This transaction broadened X-Rite’s capabilities and connected the company with established color-science instruments, color-reference systems, and professional color-management technologies. In October 2007, X-Rite acquired Pantone, bringing the Pantone color communication system into the company’s portfolio. Pantone expanded X-Rite’s reach beyond measurement instruments into widely used color standards and specification tools. Danaher Corporation acquired X-Rite in May 2012 for $625 million. X-Rite subsequently operated within Danaher’s corporate structure while continuing to develop color-measurement and management products. In September 2023, Danaher completed the spin-off of its Environmental and Applied Solutions segment as Veralto Corporation; X-Rite was included in that transaction and became part of Veralto. In November 2024, X-Rite acquired Colorware B.V., a company associated with MeasureColor, further extending its capabilities in color measurement and process control. Today, X-Rite is best understood as a professional color-technology brand. Its role is to help organizations define color objectively, compare results against standards, identify variation, and improve consistency across materials, equipment, and production stages. Its business combines instrumentation, software, color standards, and technical workflows, with Pantone and other acquired technologies forming an important part of the broader offering.
History
X-Rite was incorporated in 1958 by seven engineers from Lear Siegler. The company initially developed products connected with imaging and industrial processes rather than concentrating exclusively on modern color-management systems. It purchased H. Miller Graphic Arts in 1966, and in 1968 introduced x-ray marking tape. That product supplied the basis for the X-Rite name. The company moved more directly into photographic and graphic-arts measurement in 1975, when it introduced its first densitometer for photographic-printing use. Densitometers measure characteristics of printed or photographic material and helped establish X-Rite as a supplier of process-control equipment. During the following years, the business increasingly emphasized colorimetry and the quantitative management of color. This shift allowed X-Rite to address the needs of printers, imaging professionals, manufacturers, and other users who required repeatable color results rather than visual judgment alone. X-Rite became a public company in 1986. In 1987 it relocated to a new headquarters and production facility in Grandville, Michigan. Its later growth combined internal development with acquisitions. In 2006, X-Rite acquired Amazys, which owned Gretag-Macbeth and the Munsell color system. The acquisition strengthened X-Rite’s position in professional color measurement and color-reference technologies. In October 2007, it acquired Pantone, adding one of the best-known color communication and specification systems to its portfolio. Danaher Corporation acquired X-Rite in May 2012 for $625 million. Under Danaher, X-Rite continued as a specialist color-technology business, supplying measurement hardware, software, and workflow solutions. In September 2023, Danaher completed the corporate spin-off of its Environmental and Applied Solutions segment as Veralto, and X-Rite became part of Veralto. In November 2024, X-Rite acquired Colorware B.V., associated with the MeasureColor product, extending its capabilities in color measurement and process management. The company’s historical development therefore follows a progression from specialized imaging-related products to densitometry, colorimetry, color standards, and integrated color-management workflows. Its current identity rests on helping professional and industrial customers specify color, measure it objectively, control production variation, and maintain consistency across devices, materials, and manufacturing stages.
- 2024
Colorware B.V. acquired
[1]X-Rite acquired Colorware B.V., creator of MeasureColor, in November.
- 2023
Transferred to Veralto
[1]X-Rite became part of Veralto when Danaher completed the spin-off of its Environmental and Applied Solutions segment.
- 2012
Acquired by Danaher
[1]Danaher Corporation acquired X-Rite in May for $625 million.
- 2007
Pantone acquired
[1]X-Rite acquired Pantone in October, expanding its color-communication and color-standard portfolio.
- 2006
Amazys acquired
[1]X-Rite acquired Amazys, bringing Gretag-Macbeth and the Munsell color system into its business.
- 1990
Strategic emphasis shifts toward colorimetry
[1]X-Rite increasingly focused its business on colorimetry and color measurement.
- 1987
New Michigan headquarters and production facility
[1]The company moved into a new headquarters and production facility in Grandville, Michigan.
- 1986
Public offering
[1]X-Rite became a publicly traded company.
- 1975
First photographic-printing densitometer introduced
[1]X-Rite launched its first densitometer for photographic-printing applications.
- 1968
X-ray marking tape introduced
[1]The company introduced x-ray marking tape, the product associated with the origin of the X-Rite name.
Products and positioning
A professional and industrial color-science provider focused on objective measurement, color communication, workflow control, and consistency across imaging, printing, manufacturing, and related production processes.
Measurement hardware
Color-measurement instruments
X-Rite’s core hardware category includes instruments used to quantify color and compare physical samples with defined specifications. These tools support professional color workflows in printing, imaging, manufacturing, and quality assurance, where objective readings are used to reduce variation and verify conformity.
Imaging and print measurement · 1975
Densitometers
X-Rite introduced its first densitometer for photographic-printing applications in 1975. Densitometers are used to evaluate characteristics of photographic or printed material and to support process control in imaging and graphic-arts production.
Color standards
Pantone color standards
Pantone became part of X-Rite through the company’s 2007 acquisition. Pantone’s color standards and communication tools help designers, manufacturers, printers, and brand owners specify and coordinate color across different materials and production processes.
Color-reference system
Munsell color system
The Munsell color system entered X-Rite’s portfolio through the 2006 acquisition of Amazys. It provides a structured approach to describing and organizing color and forms part of the company’s broader color-science and reference offering.
Color-measurement software and workflow
MeasureColor
MeasureColor is associated with Colorware B.V., acquired by X-Rite in 2024. The acquisition added a color-measurement and process-control capability to X-Rite’s portfolio, although detailed product specifications are not established in the supplied reference material.
Brand decisions
2024
Acquisition of Colorware B.V.M&ABackground
Colorware B.V. developed MeasureColor, a color-measurement-related technology.
Action taken
X-Rite acquired Colorware B.V. in November 2024.
Aftermath
The acquisition expanded X-Rite’s capabilities in color measurement and process control.
2023
Transfer to VeraltoStrategyBackground
Danaher reorganized its portfolio by separating its Environmental and Applied Solutions segment into a new publicly traded company.
Action taken
X-Rite was included in the segment spun off as Veralto in September 2023.
Aftermath
X-Rite became part of Veralto’s portfolio of environmental and applied-solutions businesses.
2012
Sale to Danaher CorporationM&ABackground
X-Rite had developed into a specialist provider of professional color-measurement and color-management products.
Action taken
Danaher Corporation acquired X-Rite in May 2012.
Aftermath
X-Rite continued as part of Danaher until its later transfer to Veralto through Danaher’s 2023 corporate spin-off.
Acquisition value. $625 million (May 2012)
2007
Acquisition of PantoneM&ABackground
Pantone operated a widely recognized color communication and specification system used across design and production workflows.
Action taken
X-Rite acquired Pantone in October 2007.
Aftermath
X-Rite expanded from measurement hardware and colorimetry into a broader combination of color standards, communication, and management tools.
2006
Acquisition of AmazysM&ABackground
Amazys owned Gretag-Macbeth and the Munsell color system, both relevant to professional color measurement and color reference.
Action taken
X-Rite acquired Amazys and incorporated its color-science assets into the company.
Aftermath
The transaction broadened X-Rite’s professional color-measurement and color-reference portfolio.
1990
Shift toward colorimetryStrategyBackground
X-Rite’s earlier history included x-ray marking tape and photographic-printing measurement, while the color industry was increasingly adopting quantitative methods for controlling production and reproduction.
Action taken
The company shifted its strategic emphasis toward colorimetry and color-management technologies.
Aftermath
This direction became the foundation for later expansion into professional color instruments, color standards, software, and integrated workflow solutions.
Recent events
- 2024
X-Rite acquires Colorware B.V.[1]
M&A · Product launch
In November 2024, X-Rite acquired Colorware B.V., the creator of MeasureColor, adding color-measurement and process-control capabilities to its portfolio.
- 2023
X-Rite becomes part of Veralto following Danaher spin-off[1]
M&A
Danaher completed the spin-off of its Environmental and Applied Solutions segment in September 2023, with X-Rite included in the newly formed Veralto corporation.
- 2012
X-Rite acquired by Danaher Corporation[1]
M&A
Danaher Corporation acquired X-Rite in May 2012 in a transaction valued at $625 million.
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