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What is tru-colour?

The ArcLED tru-colour range is a high-performance premium LED strip series designed to deliver exceptional colour accuracy (CRI 98+) – replicating natural light with remarkable precision. Available in multiple wattages (3W/m, 5W/m, 9W/m) and colour temperatures (2700K, 3000K, 4000K), it combines efficiency (up to 135 lm/W) with flexibility and visual comfort. Compared to standard LED strips, tru-colour offers superior light quality, seamless illumination, and long-term reliability, making it ideal for luxury interiors, retail, hospitality, and artistic applications. In essence, it’s lighting engineered not just to brighten spaces, but to reveal them exactly as nature intended.

This is CRI98+

In the world of lighting design, achieving perfect colour rendition is often the difference between “nice enough” and “visually exceptional.” That’s why ArcLED’s new tru-colour LED strip range is such an exciting proposition.  It has been engineered not only to deliver light, but also to deliver an authentic colour, exactly as nature intended.

What makes tru-colour different?

The tru-colour range is Arc LED’s premium LED strip series, built for situations where colour fidelity, visual comfort and design flexibility matter. Key aspects include:

  • A Colour Rendering Index of 98+ – as close to perfect as you can get, meaning the light shows colours almost exactly as they appear in natural sunlight.
  • Available in three different wattages – 3W p/m, 5W p/m, and 9W p/m. These are also highly efficient, with each strip giving 134.9 lumens per watt.
  • Available in three different colour temperatures – 2700K, 3000K, 4000K. Perfect to match the colour with the ambience.
  • 8mm wide PCB strip – slim, discreet, yet still bold in appearance.

Why use a CRI98+ LED strip?

When you purchase LED strips for your project, you are investing.  Not only are you adding light, but you are also adding value to your space.  When you invest in high-quality lighting, CRI is a key metric to consider.  It tells you how accurately the light will be portrayed in reference to nature.  LED strips with a lower CRI (70-85) are fine for many basic applications, but for premium interiors, retail and hospitality, or luxury residential, you will often want a higher fidelity.

Here is what CRI98+ brings.

  • True colour rendering: Materials, artworks, fabrics, and surfaces will look the way that the designer or client intended them to be, not washed or subtly off.
  • Better for critical tasks: If you’re lighting a retail display, kitchen, artwork, or product presentation area, you want the light to let the viewer see accurate colour nuances.
  • Enhanced perceived quality: High-end lighting contributes to the perception of luxury. When the lighting feels ‘right’, the space will feel more defined.
  • Visual comfort: Good quality light means fewer distortions, shadows, or ‘odd’ highlights. It leads to a more relaxing and premium feel.

With ArcLED tru-colour, you are at the top end of the LED market, completing projects where lighting needs to be more than ‘just okay’.  It needs to be flawless.

 

You may think that a more standard, low-market LED strip would be fine for your installation.  Here is a comparison between a lower CRI tape, and tru-colour.

Feature/Use

 

Standard LED tape (CRI <90)Tru-colour LED tape (CRI98+)
Colour Rendering Index

(CRI)

Typically, CRI 80-90, good but may slightly distort tones.CRI 98+, exceptional colour accuracy; colours look true and natural.
Light Quality

 

Acceptable for general illumination and ambient lighting.Professional-grade quality reveals fine detail, depth, and true hues.
Applications (Best For)

 

General domestic lighting, task lighting, coves, signage, and budget projects.High-end interiors, galleries, retail displays, luxury residential, and hospitality.
When to use

 

When colour precision isn’t critical, e.g. corridors, utility areas, decorative lighting.When accurate colour reproduction is essential, e.g. art, design, fashion, kitchens, and photography.
Efficiency (Lumens per watt)

 

~90–110 lumens/W depending on type.Up to ~135 lumens/W, combining high efficiency with ultra-high CRI.
LED density (Uniformity)

 

60–120 LEDs/m typical, may show visible dots in shallow profiles.160–240 LEDs/m = seamless, continuous line of light, no spotting.
Lifespan and Reliability

 

Suitable for standard use – quality varies by brand.Premium components designed for consistent long-term performance.
Energy Consumption

 

Moderate, varies by wattage.Highly efficient for the light quality produced; same brightness with less energy.
Cost

 

Lower upfront cost; ideal for budget-sensitive installs.Slightly higher investment, offset by visual quality and performance.

Real-world applications

Residential Interiors

  • Kitchens: Perfect under-cabinet lighting or island lighting. Renders natural tones and colours accurately
  • Living space: Use 2700K or 3000K versions in coving or joinery for a warm, inviting ambience
  • Dressing areas: Reveals true material colours, ideal for makeup or wardrobe lighting where tone accuracy is essential

Commercial and retail

  • Boutique Displays: CRI98+ lighting brings fabrics, finishes, and product colours to life, enhancing perceived quality
  • Restaurants and Hotels: Consistent, flattering light that will enrich the texture and create a refined atmosphere
  • Office and Studios: 4000K will provide a neutral, balanced light that will enhance concentration and productivity.

Architectural and Design Features

  • Wall Grazing/Recessed profiles: High LED density ensures continuous, spotless light line, even across reflective surfaces
  • Staircase or joinery details: 3W and 5W tape allowing for elegance and soft accent lighting with excellent uniformity
  • Art galleries and exhibitions: Near-perfect colour rendering preserves the artist’s intended palette without distortion.