ColourHaus can match virtually any colour for spray painting, from standard RAL codes to Farrow and Ball shades, British Standard references and custom samples from tiles or fabric. This guide explains how the process works, which colour systems we support, and what you can do to get the closest possible match before we touch a spray gun.
- We work with RAL, NCS, British Standard, Farrow and Ball, Little Greene, Dulux and Pantone references.
- A spectrophotometer measures colour numerically, removing guesswork from the matching process.
- You can bring a paint tin, tile, fabric sample or photograph for colour matching.
- We always produce a spray sample before committing to a full job on colour-matched work.
- Two-tone matching allows you to perfectly coordinate units you are keeping with surfaces being sprayed.
How ColourHaus Colour Matching Works
Our colour matching process starts with your reference, whether that is a code from a colour system or a physical sample. If you have a code, we mix directly from the formula. If you have a physical sample, we read it with a spectrophotometer and generate a formula from the measurement. We then mix, apply a test spray and compare it to the reference in natural light before proceeding.
This matters because colour looks different on a small swatch than on a large surface. It also looks different depending on the sheen level of the finish. A colour that looks mid-grey on a matt swatch will appear noticeably darker in a high-gloss finish. The test spray step is where these differences are caught and corrected before the job starts.
For kitchen cabinet work, we always spray a sample door or a test board so you can place it in your kitchen and see how the colour reads in your own lighting. What looks perfect in a paint shop can be a surprise once it is on your cabinets. Our complete guide to kitchen spray painting covers this in more detail.
Colour Systems Explained
There are several colour reference systems in common use, and each one works differently. Knowing which one your chosen colour comes from helps us mix it faster and more accurately.
RAL Classic is the most widely used system in the UK for industrial and trade coatings. It has 213 standard colours identified by a four-digit number (for example RAL 9010 Pure White or RAL 7016 Anthracite Grey). If you specify a RAL Classic number, we can mix it exactly from formula.
RAL Design is a broader system with over 1,600 colours arranged on a perceptual colour wheel. It is less commonly used in the trade but increasingly popular with architects and designers. We support the full RAL Design range.
NCS (Natural Colour System) is a Scandinavian system widely used in interior design. It describes colour in terms of its relationship to six elementary colours: white, black, yellow, red, blue and green. NCS codes look like S 2502-B (a pale cool grey). We mix NCS references directly from formula.
British Standard 4800 is the UK's own colour standard. It is used in architecture, heritage work and some domestic paint ranges. Codes look like BS 18B25 or BS 00A05. We hold BS references in our system and mix from formula.
Farrow and Ball colours are increasingly requested for spray work, particularly for kitchens and front doors. Farrow and Ball uses proprietary names (Elephant's Breath, Hague Blue, Down Pipe) alongside a number code. We can match any Farrow and Ball colour exactly using our spectrophotometer and mix it into a durable spray-grade coating that outperforms the standard Farrow and Ball brush paint in terms of hardness and scratch resistance.
Little Greene is another premium paint brand with a heritage colour range. We match Little Greene colours using the same spectrophotometer process.
Dulux colours can be matched from the Dulux colour code or from a paint tin. Most Dulux references are in our mixing system directly.
Pantone is primarily a print and graphic design system but is sometimes requested by designers for commercial interiors. We can match Pantone references but note that the conversion between Pantone and paint can involve some interpretation, so a spray sample approval step is especially important for Pantone-based work.
For a deeper look at specific RAL colours for kitchens, see our RAL colour guide for kitchen spraying in Yorkshire.
Colour Reference Systems at a Glance
| Colour System | Primarily Used For | How to Specify |
|---|---|---|
| RAL Classic | Trade coatings, kitchens, doors, industrial | 4-digit number (e.g. RAL 7016) |
| RAL Design | Architectural and designer projects | 7-character code (e.g. RAL 000 85 00) |
| NCS | Interior design, Scandinavian brands | Code (e.g. S 4005-B20G) |
| British Standard | Architecture, heritage, UK public sector | Code (e.g. BS 18B25) |
| Farrow and Ball | Domestic interiors and exteriors | Colour name or number (e.g. No. 26) |
| Little Greene | Heritage and domestic interiors | Colour name or code |
| Dulux | Domestic and commercial interiors | Colour name or reference number |
| Pantone | Graphic design, branded commercial work | PMS number (e.g. Pantone 7527 C) |
How a Spectrophotometer Works
A spectrophotometer removes guesswork from colour matching. It shines a controlled light source at the sample and measures the wavelengths of light reflected back across the full visible spectrum. The result is a precise numerical description of the colour, independent of ambient light conditions or human perception.
The human eye is not a reliable colour-measuring tool. Two people looking at the same sample under the same light will describe it differently. Under different light sources (LED, fluorescent, daylight), the same colour can appear significantly different. The spectrophotometer gives a fixed, repeatable reading.
The output is a set of colour coordinates in a standardised space (usually CIE L*a*b*). Our mixing software translates those coordinates into a pigment formula for our spray coatings. The result is typically within 1 to 2 delta-E units of the original, which is at or below the threshold of human perception under normal viewing conditions.
Eye-matching, by contrast, relies on a technician comparing the mixed paint to the sample under a specific light source. Even experienced technicians have tolerances of 3 to 5 delta-E or more. For most colours this is not noticeable. For certain critical colours (particularly near-neutral greys, which the human eye is very sensitive to) it can produce a visible mismatch. Spectrophotometer matching avoids this problem entirely.
What to Bring for a Colour Match
The better your reference, the closer the match. Here is a guide to what works well and what is less reliable.
A paint tin with the original label is the most reliable reference if the colour in the tin matches what is on the surface. Check that the tin has not been contaminated with another colour before bringing it in.
A paint chip or swatch card from a brand range (Farrow and Ball, Little Greene) works well. Small swatch cards are sufficient for spectrophotometer reading.
A tile or ceramic sample can be read directly by the spectrophotometer. This is useful when you are trying to match kitchen or bathroom tiles.
A fabric sample can be read, though textured weaves can give variable readings. A flat, smooth fabric reads most accurately.
A powder-coated panel or plastic component can be read and matched. This is often used for matching appliances or existing fixtures.
A photograph is the least reliable option. Camera sensors, screens and printing all distort colour, and a photo reading will always need a spray sample comparison step. If a photo is all you have, it is a useful starting point but should not be treated as a precise reference.
Spray Samples Before Committing
We always produce a spray sample before proceeding on colour-matched work. For kitchens, we spray a test door or board. For front doors, we spray a small panel that can be held against the door in daylight. For exteriors, we spray a section of wall that can be viewed at different times of day.
This step is particularly important for lighter colours, which can look very different at different scales and under different light. It is also important for sheen levels: a colour in a matt finish looks different from the same colour in a satin or gloss. We ensure you approve both the colour and the finish before full application begins.
To understand how sheen levels affect colour and finish quality, read our guide to choosing a spray paint finish: gloss, satin and matt.
Two-Tone Matching
Two-tone kitchens, where upper and lower cabinets are different colours, require careful matching to ensure both colours work together and both are consistent across every door and drawer. We handle two-tone jobs regularly and mix both colours in our spray-grade coatings so they have the same sheen level and finish character.
Two-tone matching is also relevant when you are keeping some existing surfaces and want the sprayed surfaces to match them. For example, if you have a new kitchen island being sprayed to match an existing run of units that was sprayed by someone else, we can read the existing finish with the spectrophotometer and match it closely in our coating.
For colour trend ideas for 2027, including popular two-tone combinations, see our article on home colour trends for 2027.
Limitations of Colour Matching
Colour matching is not perfect in all cases. Metallic, pearlescent and iridescent finishes are difficult to replicate exactly in a standard liquid coating, because these effects depend on metallic flake or mica particles that behave differently from pigment. We can get close, but an exact match is not always possible.
Very dark colours (near-black) and very light colours (near-white) also have narrow tolerances. A slight variation in a very dark colour is less visible to the eye than a slight variation in a mid-grey, which the human visual system is highly sensitive to. We advise on likely tolerance for each project before starting.
Finally, gloss level affects perceived colour. The same pigment formula in a matt finish looks lighter and cooler than in a gloss. We ensure the gloss level is confirmed before mixing, so the formula adjustment accounts for this.
For inspiration on front door and exterior colour choices for Yorkshire stone houses, see our guide to the best front door colours for Yorkshire stone houses.
Frequently Asked Questions
We can match almost any colour from a physical sample using our spectrophotometer. This includes paint tins, tiles, fabric, plastic and powder-coated metal. The only limit is very dark metallic or pearlescent finishes, which can be difficult to replicate exactly in a liquid coating. We always produce a spray sample for approval before committing to a full job.
A spectrophotometer measures colour by analysing reflected light across the full visible spectrum. It gives a numerical colour value that takes human perception out of the equation. In practice this means matches are extremely close, typically within 1 to 2 delta-E units, which is at or below the threshold of human visual perception under normal viewing conditions.
Yes, and we recommend it. We can apply a small test area on a board or directly on the surface so you can see the colour at full scale in your own light conditions. Large surfaces and high-gloss finishes in particular can look very different from a small swatch card. The sample step costs nothing extra and is part of our standard process for all colour-matched jobs.
Written by the ColourHaus team · 10 March 2027 · More articles