RAL FAQ's

1. Is there a method of translating RAL colours to Pantone colours or vice versa? No, as these are entirely separate colour systems there has been no collaboration to produce a chart for translation from one system to another. Other companies (particularly paint companies have attempted to cross reference these and can be found on the web but usually only offer alternatives for RAL Classic colours and the matches have not been quality checked so many are quite far apart in colour space. We recommend that you purchase the relevant RAL Guide and Pantone Guide and check yourself under controlled lighting conditions in a light box. 2. Is there a method of translating RAL colours to Dulux paint colours? Akzo Nobel who manufacture Dulux among other brands can produce some RAL colours in various types of paint - go to the Dulux trade expert website to find out more http://www.duluxtradepaintexpert.co.uk/colours/picker#products 3. Can I buy RAL paint or Powder coat directly from RAL or VeriVide? No, RAL do not produce paint in RAL colours they simply standardise the colours so you can buy the colour card from RAL and then buy the paint at DIY stores or specialised paint shops, sometimes they may be able to mix a colour to match the card. Likewise a manufacture of Power coat formulas should be able to mix the colour required to match a RAL chart. 4. Do RAL provide certification of the colour Standards? The RAL colour fan decks are not provided with certification but on the inside cover is a hologram which proves that it is a genuine RAL product. These should be used for colour selection but are not the official colour standards. If official standards are required then the registers RAL 840-HR and RAL 841-GL or their individual standard cards should be purchased for RAL Classic standards and the RAL E1 for RAL Effect standards. 5. How many RAL colours are there? There are 2328 RAL colours in total, 213 RAL Classic colours, 490 RAL Effect colours and 1625 RAL Design colours 6. Is it possible to translate one RAL colour into another, for example RAL Classic into RAL Design? No, this is not possible as the three different product lines RAL Classic, RAL Effect and RAL Design are completely separate ranges and independent from each other as they were formulated for different purposes. The software RAL Digital can be used to find the closest match to a colour from another product line. 7. What is the difference between RAL Classic colours and RAL Design colours? RAL Classic is a collection of colours developed due to industry requirements, typically the colour of bridges or buildings and equipment for industrial applications as well as aeroplanes and trains are specified in Classic colours. In order to be in this collection the colour must be of non-business specific interest and not be subject to fashion trends. RAL Design is a colour system containing 1625 colours following the internationally recognised CIELab system. RAL Design colour codes have seven digits whereas RAL Classic colour codes only have four digits. The RAL Design system is suitable for use by interior designers for specifying all internal colours and is specified in the RAL colour books for designing Hotel and Healthcare environments as well as in the Colour Feeling Trend books. 8. Why is there a RAL Effect collection? This is an innovative collection for industrial and product design containing 420 solid colours and 70 metallic colours which harmonise with the solid colours so that metallic effects can be created in coordinating colours. 9. Where can I get information on historical RAL colours? For information on historical RAL colours please call RAL directly on +49 (0) 1805 748066 10. Why is there a big price difference between some RAL products? The cheaper RAL fan decks are produced by printing in four colour digital printing which is a lower cost production method than the coated process which produces the higher priced fan decks and the individual standard cards. The coated process produces a higher accuracy of colour reproduction from one product to another. - See more at: https://www.verivide.com/article/ral-faqs#sthash.GeQE4Nr5.dpuf

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