Lena Rivera
Matching paint colours can be a tricky business. Even if you have the original paint container, paint can degrade over time, and the same colour applied using a different method can look different. If you don't have the original paint, you can take a paint sample to a store to be matched. Large paint stores use computers to photograph and match the sample, but this may not be a perfect match. Smaller stores may have an eye-match person who can help select the correct sheen and colour and custom-make a matching paint. You can also use a spectrophotometer, a device that breaks down colour into its various wavelengths, or a colour-matching app on your phone.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Accuracy of colour match | Exact matches are difficult to achieve due to factors such as lighting, sheen, and colour degradation. However, a close match can be found using various methods. |
| Methods | Spectrophotometers, colour-matching apps, in-store computerized colour matching, eye-matching, and sample cards. |
| Sample size | A 1-inch square sample is recommended for colour matching. |
| Sample collection | Samples can be collected from inconspicuous spots on walls, or by bringing in a portable item to be matched. |
| Patching samples | After collecting a sample, the spot can be patched with spackle to restore the wall's original appearance. |
| Lighting | Lighting conditions can affect colour matching, so taking pictures at different times of the day or with different lighting setups is recommended. |
| Sheen | The sheen (glossiness) of paint affects how light is reflected and can impact colour matching. Matte finishes provide more consistent colour. |
| Limitations | Big-name paint brands may not reproduce trademarked colours, and some colours may be difficult to match exactly. |
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What You'll Learn
Computerized colour-matching technology
At the core of computerized colour-matching are specialized light-reading tools, such as spectrophotometers, that can capture precise details about a paint's colour, sheen, and surface characteristics. These devices use LED lights to project a strong beam of light onto the paint sample, analysing its reflected light to determine its unique properties. By breaking down the colour into its various wavelengths, spectrophotometers can identify the exact combination of paint pigments required to recreate the desired shade.
The data collected by these digital tools is then fed into computer systems, which utilize sophisticated algorithms and large colour databases to calculate the precise mix of paint ingredients needed. This information is transmitted to automatic mixing equipment, ensuring that the custom colour is blended accurately and consistently.
One of the key advantages of computerized colour-matching is its ability to handle complexities such as the appearance of colours under different lighting conditions and on various surfaces. The technology takes into account factors like light reflection and surface texture, ensuring that the matched colour aligns with the customer's expectations regardless of the viewing conditions.
Additionally, computerized colour-matching technology significantly reduces waste by measuring and mixing precise amounts of paint. The consistency in mixing also means that customers can achieve the same shade repeatedly, enhancing their satisfaction. Overall, computerized colour-matching technology has transformed paint shops by enhancing speed, accuracy, and sustainability in their operations.
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Using a spectrophotometer
A spectrophotometer is a small device that uses white light, in the form of a tungsten bulb or an LED, to illuminate a paint sample. The light is reflected off the sample and onto a small wheel, which consists of a number of interference filters and is powered by a stepper motor. Each filter is programmed to allow a specific wavelength of light to pass through it, and each wavelength is within a particular range of nanometers.
The wavelength representing the correct colour match passes through the correct filter and is then picked up by fibre optics and piped to a photo diode. The photo diode then converts the information to an electronic signal, which is sent to computer software that formulates the exact amount of pigments needed to recreate the desired colour.
To use a spectrophotometer, you must first pick your paint base, and it is recommended to use mid-grade or high-grade paint for the best match. The sample to be matched is placed in a clip on the outside of the machine, and the machine will then determine the exact combination of paint pigments needed. It is important to note that samples with a lot of texture or sheen may be more challenging to match accurately.
Spectrophotometers are highly accurate, with colour matching typically being about 90% accurate. They are especially useful when an exact colour match is required, such as in auto body repairs, and can help to minimize the need for trial and error in the colour creation process.
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The impact of lighting
Lighting has a significant impact on paint colour matching. Natural light, for instance, provides the truest representation of paint colours, with its full-spectrum illumination changing throughout the day. Morning sunlight casts cool blue tones, while afternoon sun delivers warmer golden hues. The direction a window faces also impacts how natural light affects paint colour: north-facing rooms receive cooler, indirect light, while south-facing spaces get warm direct sunlight. East-facing rooms experience dramatic colour shifts from bright morning light to subdued afternoon shadows.
Artificial light, on the other hand, offers consistency but cannot match natural light's colour rendering abilities. Fluorescent lights often create a cool cast, while incandescent bulbs add warm yellow undertones to paint colours.
The type of paint also affects how it interacts with light. Matte finishes absorb more light, keeping the colour looking relatively consistent, while glossier sheens reflect light, adding vibrancy and luminosity.
To avoid colour discrepancies, it is essential to evaluate paint samples under various lighting conditions, including natural daylight and different types of artificial light. Testing paint samples at different times of the day in a specific room location helps prevent disappointing results.
Design professionals can use their knowledge of light and colour to select the perfect paint for a given application. They consider factors such as lighting type, reflectance, finish, and formulation of the paint itself.
Additionally, correlated colour temperature (CCT), colour rendering index (CRI), and spectral power distribution (SPD) impact the quality and colour of light. For instance, LED bulbs with cool colour temperatures can make warm paint colours appear dull or grey, while incandescent lighting enhances yellow and red undertones.
When matching paint, it is crucial to consider the lighting temperature and the mood to be created. Achieving a balanced interplay between natural daylight and artificial light is essential for a well-crafted room.
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Colour-matching apps
While it is possible to get a close match for a paint sample at a paint store, it is not always possible to get an exact match. This is due to a variety of factors, including the sheen of the paint, lighting, and the fact that some paint brands avoid reproducing trademarked colours.
If you cannot obtain a sample to take to the paint store, colour-matching apps can be used to identify the closest paint colour match. These apps typically work in tandem with a small portable sensor or a mobile phone camera. Examples of colour-matching apps include:
- Nix Mini 2
- Datacolor ColorReader EZ
- PPG App
- ColorSnap® Match
The Nix Mini 2 and Datacolor ColorReader EZ use a small portable sensor in conjunction with an app to identify the closest paint colour match. The PPG App and ColorSnap® Match App use your mobile phone camera to identify colours. The ColorSnap® Match App also has a paid version that can identify sheen in addition to colour.
It is important to note that colour-matching apps may not always provide an exact match, and lighting and shadows can affect the accuracy of the colour match.
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In-store manual matching
If you are trying to match an existing paint colour, you can take a picture of the wall and use it as a reference when browsing paint samples at the store. However, pictures won't provide an exact colour match, so it's recommended to take pictures at different times of the day to capture different lighting conditions.
When you visit the paint store, select a few samples that look close to your photo and take them home to compare with the original paint. If one sample matches at a certain time of day, and another matches better at a different time, you can ask the paint store to mix a shade in between.
If you are unable to obtain a paint sample, you can bring the item you're matching to the store, and they can scan the item and create an exact or near-exact digital match.
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Frequently asked questions
If you have the original paint container, bring it to the store. If not, cut out a small square of painted drywall that’s not too conspicuous and take it in. The store will use a spectrophotometer or a similar device to analyze the chip and match it to their brand’s closest color.
Paint color matching can be challenging due to factors such as lighting conditions, sheen, and the aging of paint. While you may not get an exact match, you should be able to get close enough that the difference is not noticeable to the untrained eye.
Yes, you can use color-matching apps such as Nix Mini 2 or Datacolor ColorReader EZ, which use a small portable sensor to identify the closest known paint color match. Many paint companies also offer mobile apps that allow you to upload a photo of the color you want to match.
