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RAL colour standard

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(June 2010)

RAL is a colour matching system used in Europe. In colloquial speech RAL refers to the RAL Classic system, mainly used for varnish and powder coating but nowadays there are reference panels for plastics as well. Since correct "colour-communication" is of extreme importance to achieve correct matching of colours original RAL products are provided with a hologram as of early 2013. Imitations may show different hue and colour when observed under various light sources.
Contents [hide] 1 RAL colour space system 1.1 RAL Classic 1.2 RAL F9 1.3 RAL Design 1.4 RAL Effect 1.5 RAL Digital 1.6 RAL Colour Feeling 2 See also 3 External links

RAL colour space system

RAL Classic [edit]

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In 1927 the German Reichs-Ausschu fr Lieferbedingungen und Gtesicherung (Imperial Commission for Delivery Terms and Quality Assurance) invented a collection of 40 colours under the name of "RAL 840". Prior to that date manufacturers and customers had to exchange samples to describe a tint, whereas from then on they would rely on numbers. In the 1930s the numbers were changed uniformly to four digits and the collection was renamed to "RAL 840 R" (R for revised). With tints constantly added to the collection, it was revised again in 1961 and changed to "RAL 840-HR", which consists of 210 colors and is in use to this day. In the 1960s the colours were given supplemental names to avoid confusion in case of transposed digits. As "RAL 840-HR" covered only matte paint the 1980s saw the invention of "RAL 841-GL" for glossy surfaces, limited to 193 colours. A main criterion for colours in the RAL Classic collection is to be of "paramount interest". Therefore most of the colours in it are used on warning and traffic signs or are dedicated to government agencies and public services (for example: RAL 1004 - Swiss Postal Service, RAL 1021 - Austrian Postal Service, RAL 1032 - German Postal Service). The first digit relates to the shade of the colour: Range Range Name RAL 1xxx Yellow RAL 2xxx Orange RAL 3xxx Red RAL 4xxx Violet RAL 5xxx Blue RAL 6xxx Green RAL 7xxx Grey RAL 8xxx Brown RAL 9xxx White/Black First Last RAL 1000 Green Beige RAL 1037 Sun Yellow RAL 2000 Yellow Orange RAL 2013 Pearl Orange RAL 3000 Flame Red RAL 3033 Pearl Pink RAL 4001 Red Lilac RAL 5000 Violet Blue Quantity 40 14 34

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RAL CLASSIC K5 colour fan

RAL 4012 Pearl Black Berry 12 RAL 5026 Pearl Night Blue 25

RAL 6000 Patina Green RAL 6038 Luminous Green 36 RAL 7000 Squirrel Grey RAL 7048 Pearl Mouse Grey 38 RAL 8000 Green Brown RAL 8029 Pearl Copper 20 RAL 9001 Cream RAL 9023 Pearl Dark Grey 14

RAL F9 [edit]
This collection, which follows the naming of RAL Classic, was invented in 1984. It is made up of only 3 colours (RAL 6031 - green bronze, RAL 8027 - leather, RAL 9021 - tar), used by the Bundeswehr for military camouflage coating.

RAL Design [edit]

In 1993 a new colour matching system was introduced, tailored to the needs of architects, designers and advertisers. It started with 1688 colours and was revised to 1625 colours. Contrary to the preceding systems RAL Design features no names and its numbering

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follows a scheme based on the CIELAB colour space. Each colour is represented by 7 digits, grouped in a triple and 2 pairs, representing hue, brightness and saturation. The colours of RAL Classic and RAL Design do not intersect.

RAL Effect [edit]

RAL Effect comprises 420 solid colours and, as a particular highlight, seventy metallic colours. It is the first collection from RAL to be based on waterborne paint systems. No use is made of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and chromates. The newly developed, multifunctional double colour fan RAL E2 underlines the character of RAL Effect. RAL Effect allows eco-efficient colour production for all paint and lacquer producers.

RAL Digital [edit]

The software for architects, interior decorators and all those who deal with colours in a creative way. It integrates the colours of RAL Classic, RAL Effect and RAL Design into graphics and CAD programms.

RAL Colour Feeling [edit]

"Colour Feeling 09/10" is primarily designed as a professional planning tool for designers, architects, interior designers, interior decorators and painters. It is meant to be a source of inspiration on how to creatively combine the main trend colours for the coming two years. But also general consumers can be inspired by the work book to develop their own ideas and to create their personal colour design.

See also

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Colour chart, other colour systems and charts Federal Standard 595 Natural Color System Pantone

External links

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The official RAL shop Official RAL Colours website RAL colour chart (www.ralcolor.com) Web approximation of RAL Classic Colour Chart for full screen RGB color chart with RAL conversion RAL color chart (ralcolor.net) Android App for recognize RAL colours RAL Classic Color Chart (ralcolors.net)
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Categories: RAL color standard

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