Color accuracy can quietly make or break a print shop. When color is dialed in, production runs smoothly. When it’s not, time, materials, and margins disappear quickly. That’s why the Epson SD-10 Spectrophotometer gaining official support in ONYX 25 and Fiery Digital Factory 12 is a meaningful update for many production environments.
Bob Miller, our Color Services Manager at IT Supplies, recently broke down what this update really means for print shops. This article covers the key takeaways from that discussion and explains how the Epson SD-10 now fits into modern RIP-based color workflows.
You can also watch the full video if you prefer to hear it directly from the source.
What ONYX 25 and Fiery Digital Factory 12 Support Unlocks
As of December 2025, the Epson SD-10 Spectrophotometer is officially supported in ONYX 25 and Fiery Digital Factory 12. That single update opens the door to a lot of new possibilities for print shops already running Epson printers.
If you’re using ONYX or Fiery Digital Factory with an Epson printer connected, you can now use the SD-10 for:
- Color measurements
- Color verification
- Spot color matching
- Profiling with the optional chart reader
This means the SD-10 is no longer just a standalone measurement tool. It can now be integrated directly into your RIP workflow without complicated setup or workarounds. ONYX has also announced plans to support the SD-10 chart reader in Q1 2026, which adds even more value for shops looking to profile materials efficiently.
When the Epson SD-10 Is the Best Choice
A common question print shops ask is when the SD-10 makes the most sense compared to other color measurement devices. The SD-10 really shines in specific real-world scenarios.
The Epson SD-10 is a great fit when you want:
- Fast, standalone spot color measurements
- Portable, on-the-go color checks
- Reference color libraries you can build and carry with you
- A Bluetooth-enabled workflow that can connect to your mobile phone
- Affordable accuracy without sacrificing reliability
If you’re constantly checking color on posters, stickers, proofing sheets, or short-run jobs, the SD-10 fits naturally into that workflow. It’s lightweight, easy to carry, and quick to use, which makes it ideal for production floors where speed matters.
Because it’s now supported directly in ONYX 25 and Fiery Digital Factory 12, the SD-10 can move from being a simple handheld tool to a connected part of your color management system.
You can learn more about the Epson SD-10 here.
How the SD-10 Compares to Other Color Measurement Devices
Every color device solves a slightly different problem. Choosing the right one depends on your substrates, print methods, and tolerance for color variation. Understanding where the SD-10 sits helps clarify whether it belongs in your shop.
i1Pro 3 A Familiar Workhorse
The i1Pro 3 has long been a go-to device for many print shops. It is versatile, reliable, and well understood across the industry. In many ways, it serves a similar purpose to the SD-10.
The key difference is the aperture size.
The i1Pro 3 uses a smaller aperture, which makes it excellent for smooth surfaces like coated papers, banners, and rigid materials with minimal texture. On these substrates, it delivers consistent and accurate readings.
However, when you move to heavily textured materials such as thick textiles or rough fabrics, that smaller aperture can lead to inconsistent measurements. The device is simply reading a very small area, and texture variations start to matter more.
i1Pro 3 Plus Built for Texture and Translucency
The i1Pro 3 Plus addresses the limitations of the standard i1Pro 3 by using a larger aperture. This allows the device to average out surface variations more effectively.
If your shop prints on materials like:
- Canvas
- Light fabrics
- Backlit films
The i1Pro 3 Plus is often the better option. It captures more light and handles translucent and textured materials more reliably. This makes it a strong choice for soft signage, fabric graphics, and backlit displays.
One thing to keep in mind is that transmissive readings with the i1Pro 3 Plus require an adjustable light table, which adds to the overall investment.
Barbieri The High End Color Authority
Barbieri devices sit at the top end of color measurement solutions. These tools are built for shops that demand the highest level of precision and repeatability possible.
They are commonly used for:
- High-end textiles
- Fine art printing
- Dye sublimation workflows
- Applications with extremely tight color tolerances
Barbieri instruments are designed for accuracy above all else, and they are priced accordingly. For shops where color consistency is mission-critical and budgets allow, Barbieri is often considered the gold standard.
Where the Epson SD-10 Fits In
The Epson SD-10 occupies a sweet spot between portability, affordability, and practical accuracy. It’s not trying to replace a Barbieri in a high-end textile lab, and it does not need to.
Instead, it excels as an everyday color tool. With ONYX 25 and Fiery Digital Factory 12 support, it becomes especially useful for:
- Verifying production color
- Checking brand spot colors
- Building and referencing color libraries
- Profiling common production materials
For many print shops, the SD-10 offers exactly what is needed without adding complexity or excessive cost.
Why ONYX and Fiery Support Changes Everything
Before official RIP support, handheld devices like the SD-10 were often used outside the main workflow. Measurements had to be manually referenced or transferred, which introduced inefficiencies.
Now, with native support in ONYX 25 and Fiery Digital Factory 12, the SD-10 can be integrated directly into the color management process. This improves consistency, reduces errors, and saves time.
It also lowers the barrier for shops that are just getting started with color management. You no longer need a large, complex setup to begin measuring and verifying color accurately.
For more information on professional color management standards, you can explore resources like the International Color Consortium at https://www.color.org or learn about spectrophotometry basics at https://www.xrite.com.
Building the Right Color Toolbox for Your Shop
Every shop is different. Some focus on rigid signage, others on textiles, and others on high-volume graphics. The good news is that there is no single right answer.
The Epson SD-10, now being supported in ONYX 25 and Fiery Digital Factory 12, simply adds another strong option to your toolbox. Whether you are starting your color journey or expanding an existing system, the SD-10 offers flexibility and value that make sense for many production environments.
If you’re unsure which device is the best fit for your shop, give IT Supplies a call at 1-800-771-9665 and speak with our experienced color specialists who can guide you to the right solution!
Wrapping Things Up
The Epson SD-10 Spectrophotometer gaining official support in ONYX 25 and Fiery Digital Factory 12 is a meaningful step forward for print shops. It brings practical color measurement into the core workflow without adding unnecessary complexity or cost.
Whether you’re validating brand colors, checking production consistency, or building a more reliable color process, the SD-10 is now a stronger and more versatile option than ever before!
IT Supplies is your one-stop shop for everything you need to achieve the perfect print. We partner with top manufacturers to bring you the best in printing technology, including Eco-Solvent, Latex, UV, and Aqueous printers from EPSON, HP, and Canon. Our lineup also features a wide selection of Dye-Sublimation, DTF, and DTG printers from EPSON and HP. Explore our full range at www.itsupplies.com or by giving us a call at 1-800-771-9665!
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