How do you keep custom brand colours consistent across metal, acrylic and plastic parts?
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- Issue Time
- Sep 18,2026
A:One master, three processes. Colour is not "matched" once; it is controlled per material. We build to a single approved physical master, then hold each material to the tightest tolerance that material can actually achieve.
1 masterSingle approved reference
ΔE ≤ 1.5Target painted finish
3 processesCoating, sheet, masterbatch
What each material can realistically hold
| Material | Colour method | Realistic tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| Powder-coated steel and aluminium (metal racks and stands) | Powder coating | ΔE about 1.0–1.5 |
| Coloured acrylic sheet (acrylic display products) | Cast or extruded sheet | ΔE about 1.5–2.5 |
| Moulded plastic parts (shelf pushers, dividers, shopping baskets) | Masterbatch compound | ΔE about 1.5–2.5 |
How to lock a brand colour in
- Provide a Pantone reference plus one physical sample of the finished look — a coated panel or an existing part beats a paper swatch.
- Approve a physical master before production; paper and screen previews cannot reproduce metallic or matte finishes.
- Keep one master on file with us, along with the coating code and masterbatch formula, for repeat orders.
- Expect slight cross-material drift; designs that put the two surfaces edge to edge on the same sightline should include a separating trim.
Where colour disputes start
Most disputes come from comparing a metal part under warehouse lighting with an acrylic part under daylight, not from a production defect. Agree the inspection light source in advance — we normally confirm colour under a D65 standard light.
Send your Pantone reference and part list for a colour plan.
Plan My Colour Match