How to prepare a colour-matching request.

Steps

1. Provide a physical reference

   Send a flat coated part, panel or the current powder, not only a photo or screen colour. A RAL code is useful, but add a physical reference when gloss or texture matters.

2. State system and environment

   Say whether the part is indoor or outdoor and which system you expect, so the match is made in the right chemistry.

3. Specify gloss and effect

   Give the gloss band or target value and the effect, for example smooth, sand texture or metallic.

4. Describe your process

   Include substrate, pretreatment, target film thickness and actual cure conditions, since these influence colour and gloss.

5. Agree how colour is judged

   State the light source, whether an instrument is used, and the colour-difference tolerance you or your customer accept.

6. Add volume and timing

   Give expected quantity, reorder pattern and when you need the panel.

Parameters

Colour reference

RAL code and/or physical sample

Gloss bands

≥90 high gloss; 11–80 satin/matt; ≤10 dead matt

Colour tolerance

Agreed per project

Approved panel

Recorded as a version

Common mistakes

• Sending only a photo or a screen colour.
• Giving a RAL code for a metallic or textured finish without a physical sample.
• Leaving out gloss, so the colour matches but the appearance does not.
• Not mentioning the light source or tolerance the end customer uses.