There's no getting away from the fact that paint – just like most other things these days – is expensive. It is all too easy to reach the end of a renovation or extension project and think that you are done with the big spending – only to be faced with yet more expenditure on the final decoration.
One way I have often tried to save money on my own decorating projects is to seek out cheaper versions of the paint I've fallen in love with. Just recently we painted the walls of most of the ground floor and in several rooms I tried out colour-matched paint – with varying degrees of success.
Whether you are trying to keep a lid on costs by using an own-brand paint colour-matching service to replicate a more pricey product, or have found something you have used elsewhere has now been discontinued, check out what the experts I spoke to had to say about the whole process.
What is paint colour matching?
There are actually several different ways in which paints can be colour-matched, some better than others. I recently painted the front door and headed to my local decorating centre who keep files containing a wide range of swatches of high-end paints which they use to replicate the colour using their own-brand of paint. Sadly I found that while the colour was a close match, the finish just wasn't as durable – I ended up repainting it using the 'real thing'.
The most accurate methods, according to Helen Shaw, director of marketing (international) at Benjamin Moore, use something called a 'spectrophotometer.' "At Benjamin Moore we use specialist colour-matching devices called spectrophotometers, available in our showrooms and at selected authorised retailers. These precision instruments scan the colour of almost any sample to identify the closest matching Benjamin Moore shade, allowing us to formulate a bespoke paint colour with exceptional accuracy."
Michael Rolland, MD and paint expert at The Paint Shed, goes on to explain the process in a little more depth. "There is a multi-step process developed to match colour as closely as possible. In the first step the colour swatch, of the paint or the item you want to match, is scanned. This scan is then used to look up formulas for the colour database, which allows for the closest-matching formula to be found and mixed.
"The mixing of the formula is the key to matching the shade, but it wouldn't be possible without the scan," continues Michael. "The accuracy of the result will depend on the quality and condition of the sample, so it's very important to provide the best sample possible."
Helen Shaw is part of Benjamin Moore's UK division. A colour expert and international marketing director, Helen is no stranger to the paint industry and benefits of colour, having also previously founded a paint company with her husband, Craig.
Michael Rolland, painting expert and MD of The Paint Shed. With The Paint Shed having evolved from painting contractors to retailers, Michael has years of experience in the painting industry, drawing on this expertise to guide his DIY projects with the best possible tools and materials.
Will colour-matched paint be the same as the original?
In my experience, while the colour-matched paint I have had has often come extremely close to the original I really wanted, it has never been exactly the same. This was definitely the case when I gave my master bedroom ideas a refresh by repainting a make-up stained wall and tried to colour match the pink paint we originally used – it was notably different and we ended up having to repaint the entire room rather than one wall.
According to Cathryn Sanders, head of creative at Earthborn, there are several reasons for this. "Colour matching can often produce a very close approximation of a desired shade. However, it's important to recognise that a colour-matched paint can never truly be guaranteed to match, or perform in exactly the same way as the original.
"Every paint brand has its own unique formulation, using different ingredients, pigments and bases. The paint base itself plays a major role in how a colour appears once applied, influencing everything from depth and richness to how light is reflected from the surface," continues Cathryn. "There are also a number of external factors that can affect how a colour is perceived. Variations may occur due to the substrate being painted, lighting conditions, application method, sheen level, and even the drying and curing process. A colour that appears identical in one setting may look noticeably different in another."
"Also, the paint finish can make a difference," adds Helen Shaw. "The same colour will appear different in a matt finish compared to a satin or high-gloss finish, as sheen affects the way light is reflected. For the closest possible match, it's best to use the same finish wherever possible.
"Finally, if you are matching a paint shade that has been on the wall for some time, the colour could have faded a little compared to when it was freshly painted – the spectrophotometer will match to the aged colour in this case," adds Helen.
Cathryn Sanders is Head of Creative at Earthborn and has worked for the brand for over a decade, meaning she has a wealth of knowledge on paints, trends and the interiors industry as a whole. Working on several colour launches, she is well-versed in trend forecasting, particularly with regard to colour, and subsequently gets the final say on all of Earthborn’s new colours and colour names.
How can you get the best results from a colour-matching service?
If you plan on using a paint colour-matching service, perhaps to introduce a few new paint trends into your home, there are steps you can take to ensure that the colour you end up with is as true as possible to the original.
"To achieve the most accurate colour match it's important to provide a sample that's large enough for the spectrophotometer to scan effectively," advises Helen Shaw. "As a guide, aim for a sample that's at least the size of a 10p coin – a tiny sliver of paint from the edge of a socket cover simply won't provide enough surface area for an accurate reading. Equally, fabrics with fine detail created with individual thread colours can be harder to scan when compared to larger areas of solid colour."
Helen goes on to point out that it is wise to test the colour-matched paint before investing in a huge tin. "If you want to test the colour before committing to the entire room, you can have the colour match made up into a colour sample. This means you can view it in natural daylight as well as in the room where it will be used."
Will colour-matched paint be as high quality as designer?
One thing that I have always questioned is whether expensive paint is worth it or if cheaper, colour-matched paint is just as good quality. And by 'good quality' I mean I want it to offer the same excellent coverage, premium-looking finish and impressive longevity as some of the top brands I've used in the past.
"Paint quality goes beyond colour. Premium paints are often formulated to provide superior coverage, durability, application and overall finish," picks up Cathryn Sanders. "While a colour-matched paint may achieve a very similar shade, it may not deliver the same depth of colour, finish, quality or performance characteristics as the original product."
Helen Shaw agrees that choosing the right paint is about more than finding an exact colour match. "When choosing a high-quality paint, it’s important to consider not only the colour itself, but also the quality of the formulation, colour accuracy, coverage and long-term performance."
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Is colour matching paint a good idea?
It is important to understand that that the price and quality of colour-matched paint varies hugely. In my own experience, very cheap products have tended to give poor results or have made the task of painting a room far more laborious when compared to premium, but I have had some really impressive results with mid-priced paints and, where the 'real thing' and replica haven't been sitting alongside one another, any colour differences haven't been too noticeable.
"Colour matching can be a good option for those looking to achieve the look of a particular shade or for homeowners seeking different performance credentials from their paint," points out Cathryn Sanders. "For example, somebody may want a colour similar to a designer shade but in a breathable formulation that's better suited to an older property, or they may be looking for a specific environmental or durability benefit.
"Where colour matching is most successful is when an entire room or surface is being painted. Differences are generally much harder to detect when there isn't a direct comparison with the original colour. However, for touch-ups or projects where colour accuracy is essential, using the original paint remains the best option.
"Colour-matched paint should be viewed as a close interpretation of a colour rather than an exact replica, with the final result influenced by both the paint formulation and the conditions in which it is used," adds Cathryn.
FAQs
What is the best way to use colour samples?
If you're anything like me, choosing a paint colour is never straightforward. I always seem to end up with a ridiculous number of samples that probably cost me as much as the full-size tins I finally opt for.
If you struggle to picture how colours will look all over the room, Helen Shaw has some handy advice on how to use samples effectively. "Apply the colour sample to the wall and observe it over the course of a day or two to see how it changes in different lighting conditions. Artificial lighting can significantly alter how a colour appears – a warm beige under fluorescent lighting, for example, may reveal green undertones in daylight. This is the best way to ensure you've achieved the perfect match before decorating."
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