Using Color Matcher to Find Your Closest Marker Matches
Color Matcher helps you identify the closest markers from your collection to match any reference image or color sample. This guide walks through the complete workflow—from image upload to color extraction to finding perceptually accurate matches using Delta E calculations.
How Color Matcher works
Color Matcher bridges the gap between digital reference images and your physical marker collection. Whether you're working from concept art, photographs, or color swatches, the tool extracts colors and uses perceptually accurate Delta E calculations to find the closest matches from your database.
- Extract colors from reference images using either point sampling (click to select) or auto palette mode (K-means clustering for 3-8 dominant colors).
- Find the top 3 closest marker matches for each extracted color using CIE94 Delta E calculations, with Delta E values displayed for transparency.
- Upload your own marker collection or use the demo database to test the workflow before scanning your physical markers.
Step-by-step workflow
Color Matcher uses LAB color space and CIE94 Delta E calculations to ensure perceptually accurate color matching. Follow these steps to go from a reference image to a matched palette ready for your artwork.
Load or upload your marker database
From the landing page, choose "Load demo workspace" to start with sample markers, or upload your own marker collection scanned with ColorBase. The marker database is stored in session storage so it remains available across all ColorSpace tools.
Upload a reference image
Drag and drop or select an image file (JPG, PNG, WebP, or BMP up to 10MB). The Color Matcher displays your image on a canvas where you can extract colors in two ways.
Extract colors: Manual or Auto mode
Click individual points on the image for manual sampling, or use Auto Palette mode to extract 3-8 dominant colors automatically using K-means clustering. Each extracted color appears in the results list.
Review Delta E matches
For each extracted color, Color Matcher converts to LAB color space and uses CIE94 Delta E calculations to find the top 3 closest markers from your database. Delta E values are displayed so you can see how close each match is perceptually.
Export selected matches to Palette Viewer
Choose your preferred match for each extracted color, then click "Create Palette." Select your matches and click "View Palette" to send them to the Palette Viewer for further exploration and visualization.
Practical tips from the ColorSpace team
Early adopters working with Honolulu sets shared the practices below. Each one keeps the matcher responsive and prevents palette drift when multiple artists share the same files.
- Use Auto Palette mode when you need to quickly identify the dominant color scheme from reference artwork or photos.
- Pay attention to Delta E values: values under 2.0 are typically imperceptible differences, while values between 2-5 show minor but acceptable variation.
- Use constraint sets to filter your marker database by brand or collection before matching, ensuring results only include markers you actually own.
- The demo workspace provides sample markers from multiple brands (Ohuhu, Copic, Prismacolor) to test the workflow before scanning your own collection.
As you grow beyond the demo library, ColorBase makes it straightforward to scan additional Ohuhu releases or entirely different brands. The matcher will weigh every marker equally, but you can keep the Honolulu sets as a baseline while you evaluate new palettes.
Want a broader workflow for balancing full alcohol marker palettes? Read Building Alcohol Marker Color Palettes with ColorSpace for capture, matching, and export tips that extend beyond the demo library. And if you are preparing your own cards for scanning, follow Preparing Ohuhu Swatch Cards for Accurate ColorBase Scans to keep ColorBase inputs consistent.
Matcher to palette pipeline
A snapshot of how teams move from inspiration imagery to production-ready palettes without losing fidelity.
- Capture reference assets and annotate key regions on the canvas.
- Use auto palette mode to generate candidates, then refine with manual sampling.
- Document preferred matches and Delta E scores in the session checklist.
- Send approved colors to the Palette Viewer and archive the results CSV for QA.
Resources & Downloads
3 resourcesColor Matcher Session Checklist
Capture settings, file prep, and annotation notes to run before each extraction session.
Workflow • 1 page
Delta E Interpretation Guide
Explains acceptable Delta E ranges for exploratory work, production art, and print approvals.
Reference • 2 pages
Sample Matcher Export (CSV)
Example CSV illustrating how matcher results capture Delta E values and marker metadata.
CSV • 6 rows
Evidence & Further Reading
- Image Sampling for Color Matching (SIGGRAPH Course)
Discusses sampling strategies and perceptual considerations when extracting palettes from imagery.
- Understanding CIE94 and CIEDE2000 Color Differences
Practical comparison of Delta E formulas used when evaluating match quality.
- Color Sampling and Quantization Techniques
Explores K-means clustering approaches similar to the auto-palette mode inside Color Matcher.
Run your next matching session with confidence
Upload your marker database, record Delta E results, and graduate inspiration boards into production palettes.