Polymers visual color matching

Is the color standard based on the same material as the desired match demands The color match becomes very difficult if the color standard is based in a plastic material that is different from the desired match plastic. A Pantone standard, an opaque painted paper, is still frequently used as a color standard. However, a Pantone paper standard does not address the issues of opacity, gloss, and texture, which are essential to color matching plastic materials. Similarly, painted metal color standards possess gloss levels that often exceed the range capable for most polymers. This factor also further complicates a visual color match in plastic materials with lower gloss. Thus, if possible, secure the color standard in the same material that the match is desired. 

It is very important to understand the plastic material before starting a color match Know the polymer, its limitations, processing conditions, physical properties, and other attributes. The more information known about the polymer, the more assured and defined is the visual color match. 

The plastic color standard is the reference color control to which all color match trials are visually compared. In some cases, the standard must be returned with the match or after the match is approved. The ideal situation is to keep the color standard, labeled with the customer identification number, the in-house color number, date, and polymer type, if known. Handling, storage, age, texture, gloss, shape, size, and physical form all determine the condition of the color standard both as received and for future reference purposes. 

A different approach is taken when visually matching transparent color standards. First, the base polymer must be transparent to light. Second, all colorants to be used in transparent polymers must be themselves transparent to light. This limits... 

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