Color space is a three dimensional color model for precise color communication – to describe color numerically. Commission Internationale de l´Eclairage (CIE) is a worldwide cooperation and standardisation organisation on color and vision. In 1976, CIE recommended CIE L*a*b* color space for precise color communication.
The color space expresses color numerically and is use for precise color communication. Today, CIE L*a*b* is used in manufacturing to ensure consistent color reproduction. In the L*a*b* color space, L* indicates lightness and a* and b* are chromaticity coordinates. The a* and b* coordinates are red / green and yellow / blue axis.
Color can be expressed with the L*a*b* coordinates and is use in communicating color differences too. Automotive manufacturers use the color coordinates to ensure product acceptance from their supply chain. Flour millers use the CIE L*a*b* color space for flour color analysis.
Check out this education booklet – Precise Color Communication for a complete description of CIE L*a*b* and how you can implement it into your color work.