Industrial Color Glossary

Chroma refers to the saturation or vibrancy of color. Levels of chroma – also called chromatic effects – are often measured on a scale of high to low.

A coating contains four principal ingredients: resin, pigment, solvent and additives. The percentage of each item is changed to influence the coating’s intended application and color. Learn more.

The coil coating process starts with a flat metal sheet that is continuously fed into a coil coating line for nearly non-stop operation. Coil coating systems vary, but a three-step system will include a pretreatment, prime coat and topcoat. Once the coating process is complete, coils are ready to be formed into metal building products such as roofing panels or gutters. Read more about Sherwin-Williams coil and extrusion coatings.

Color harmony refers to coordinating color combinations, often based on their locations on the color wheel.

A color palette, or color collection, is a curated range of colors. At Sherwin-Williams, colors are grouped into palettes based on technology, chemistry or color direction.

Color-shifting pigments can be added to a coating to simulate a change from one color to another, either subtly or dramatically.

Color systems, also known as color-order models, are used to organize color. Examples of color systems include the additive color system (RGB), subtractive color system (CMYK), color matching systems (Pantone and NCS) and RAL color system.

Dry Film Thickness (DFT) refers to the measured thickness of a cured coating above the substrate. If a coating fails or exceeds a manufacturer’s recommended DFT, the coating is at risk of compromised performance and service life.

Extrusion coatings are spray-applied in the shop after metal has been formed into a building product such as fenestration, storefronts, curtain walls, skylight framing and exterior sun shades. Shop-applied coatings are specially formulated to adhere to metal substrates, and resist wear and tear throughout the manufacturing process. Read more about Sherwin-Williams coil and extrusion coatings.

Fluoroethylene vinyl ether (FEVE) coatings are resin-based powder coatings. FEVE is intended for higher gloss applications and bright colors on exterior metal wall panels and composite panels. FEVE coatings exhibit superior weathering and UV resistance as well as exceptional chalk, fade and stain resistance.

Fluoropolymers are polymers comprised of carbon and fluorine bonds, which promote high performance in corrosive- and temperature-extreme environments. FEVE and PVDF coatings rely on fluoropolymers.

Like sheen, gloss is the amount of light reflected off a painted surface independent of its color. Gloss is measured at a 60-degree angle – meaning a beam of light is deflected from 60 degrees off a surface and back into a receptor. The receptor provides the number of gloss units, from 0 to 100. The closer the gloss units are to 100, the shinier – and glossier – the paint. Within the 0-100 gloss scale are smaller ranges as well – including finishes for matte, flat, low gloss and more.

A gradient is when two or more colors appear to mix and blend together. Explore a successful gradient project by Sherwin-Williams.

HEX is a six-digit code used to represent colors specifically for web and computer applications.

Metallic systems create the sparkle effect using primarily aluminum flakes, which require a clearcoat to prevent oxidation.

Metamerism is the phenomenon of colors shifting relative to one another when a light source changes. There are four types of metamerism: observer metamerism, illuminant metamerism, geometric metamerism and device metamerism.

Mica-based systems achieve a sparkle effect using the inert mineral mica and do not require a clearcoat.

Developed by artist and professor Albert H. Munsell, the Munsell Color Order System defines color by hue, value and chroma (HV/C). This system heavily influenced standardized color matching processes.

Natural Color System (NCS) is a scientific color system that identifies a color’s hue and nuance to account for color perception across various surfaces. The system provides cross-industry standards for designers, OEMs and consumers in a mathematical way to provide ease for matching into coatings.

Nova is an effect providing intense sparkle. Nova can be matched to nearly any color – neutrals, brights, pastels, whites and even black – using gold or silver sparkle as a finish.

A pearlescent effect is one that resembles a pearly luster achieved using interference mica effect pigments.

Pigments are compounds used to color materials. Unlike dyes, pigments are typically inorganic, insoluble in water and opaque. Pigments provide color and function to coatings – especially when it comes to hiding and chemical resistance.

Polyester coatings include a wide class of resins that are custom-formulated for various end-uses. They are ideal for general purpose, interior and exterior metal building components. Polyester coatings also exhibit good weathering and corrosion resistance as well as good flexibility and a hard finish.

Print effects are used to mimic the appearance of natural materials. Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings uses a unique transfer process to achieve print effects that simulate natural finishes without the weight, maintenance or expense of the mimicked materials.

Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) coatings are ideal for exterior metal building components, walls and roofing, composite panels and curtain walls. The PVDF resin offers superior weathering and UV resistance as well as excellent chalk, fade and stain resistance. Learn more about PVDF coatings.

The RAL color system describes colors for paint, coatings and plastics, and is primarily used for industrial building materials and product applications. RAL has more than 112 standardized industrial colors and over 2,500 standardized designer colors.

Standing for “Red Green Blue,” the RGB color model mixes the three additive primary colors to produce other colors. RGB codes are based on digital pixels and are therefore more difficult for industrial designers to work with for intended substrates.

Resins are responsible for binding paint components together. Resins contribute to many coating performance characteristics, including strength, weathering, chemical resistance, curing, adhesion, hardness and more. There are four types of resins predominantly used in the coil coatings industry: Polyvinylidene Difluoride (PVDF), Polyester, Fluoroethylene Vinyl Ether (FEVE) and Silicone-modified Polyester (SMP).

Like gloss, sheen is the amount of light reflected off a painted surface independent of its color. Where gloss is measured at a 60-degree angle, sheen is measured at an 85-degree angle.

Shimmer can be used to describe a muted sparkle or sheen on a substrate

Solvents carry resins, pigments and various coating components to the substrate.

Silicone-modified polyester (SMP) coatings use siliconized polyester to improve weather resistance and gloss retention. Used most for exterior metal building components, roofing and wall panels, SMP coatings offer great weathering, color and chalk resistance, and a hard finish.

Sparkle is used to describe a very intense glimmer.

The spectrophotometer is an instrument used to measure the amount of light that a sample absorbs by passing a light beam through a sample to measure its light intensity.

When discussing coatings, substrate refers to the base material to which a coating is applied.

Texture is an effect that includes a tactile finish. Offering depth, dimension, durability and excellent hiding, texture effects are also regarded for matte, low-gloss finishes.

Weathering refers to the effects of environmental exposure on a coating’s color, texture or performance.