How to Choose Masterbatch Colour from RAL Sheet?
In the world of plastics, colour is brand identity. Whether you are into packaging, automotives, pipes, appliances or consumer goods, customers expect consistent colour shade in every part of products, batch-to-batch. This is why plastic manufacturers across the globe specify colour using RAL colour standards. Choosing masterbatch colour using RAL sheet ensures brand consistency, manufacturing accuracy and production repeatability. However, converting a RAL shade into a production-ready masterbatch can be a challenge. It involves a thorough understanding of colour science, polymer behaviour, pigment dispersion and processing conditions.
At Perfect Colourants & Plastics Pvt.Ltd, we are a globally recognized colour masterbatch company in India. With this blog, we aim to help plastic product manufacturers, molders and brand owners correctly choose and match RAL colours for plastic production. No inconsistencies or rejections, this is a guide to customize masterbatches as per your needs.
What Is A RAL Colour Sheet?
Full Form of RAL: Reichs-Ausschuß für Lieferbedingungen und Gütesicherung
(German for National Commission for Delivery Terms and Quality Assurance)
A RAL colour sheet is a global colour reference system used by different industries, including plastics, coatings, packaging, automotive and electronic appliances. Every colour has a unique code like RAL 3020 (Traffic Red), RAL 9010 (Pure White) or RAL 6037 (Pure Green). With RAL systems, every designer, pigment supplier or molder refers to the same defined colour.
3 Common RAL Systems Are:
➤ RAL Classic: 216 industrial colours
➤ RAL Design: 1,825 structured colour shades
➤ RAL Effect: 490 solid and metallic colours
In masterbatch development, RAL serves as a target colour reference.
Why RAL Colours Look Different in Plastic?
Unlike paint, plastic colour is incorporated into the polymer melt, not on the surface. The same RAL colour appears different based on:
➤ Base polymer (HDPE, LDPE, PP, ABS, PET, etc.)
➤ Natural resin shade (clear, milky, recycled)
➤ Wallness of the component
➤ Pigment chemistry
➤ Processing temperature and shear
➤ Gloss or texture of mold
Many manufacturers often make the mistake of ordering RAL masterbatch without any technical alignment, which often leads to issues like colour mismatch, brand inconsistency or customer rejection.
Checkout:- Top 5 Most Used Colour Masterbatch in the Market
How to Correctly Choose a Masterbatch Colour from the RAL Sheet?
#1 Select the Right RAL Reference
Make use of a physical RAL chip, preferably a plastic-based than paper. The plastic RAL chips behave like real polymers in translucency and reflection.
#2 Define Your Base Polymer
Discuss with the masterbatch supplier the following details:
➤ Polymer type (PET, PP, PE, ABS, etc.)
➤ Natural colour of resin
➤ Melt flow rate
➤ Application (blow molding, injection molding or extrusion)
The information determines the pigment choice, carrier resin and dispersion performance.
#3 Decide the Level of Colour Accuracy
| Application | Colour Solution |
| Prototype or low volume | Standard colour masterbatch |
| Retail or consumer branding | Custom colour masterbatch |
| High-volume production | Pre-colour masterbatch |
#4 Spectrophotometric Colour Matching
Backed with a state-of-the-art R&D lab and testing laboratories, we use advanced technology and Spectrophotometers for colour matching. We measure RAL reference using spectrophotometers to formulate pigments scientifically. This step is crucial because plastic thickness, gloss and texture change colour appearance. It helps formulators achieve:
➤ Repeatability
➤ Batch consistency
➤ Global colour communication
#5 Trial Molding & Approval
The colour should be approved based on:
➤ Your actual polymer
➤ Your actual processing method
➤ Your real component thickness
Only, then can the masterbatch be approved for production.
What Happens If This Step is Skipped?
Skipping this step can lead to issues like:
➤ Colour changes between batches
➤ Customer rejections
➤ Brand inconsistency
➤ Reprocessing costs
➤ Rejected costs
Work with an Industry-leading Colour Masterbatch Manufacturer: PCPPL
With Perfect Colourants & Plastics Pvt.Ltd, clients are assured they are working with the best in the business. We provide:
➤ RAL-matched colour engineering
➤ Polymer-specific pigment selection
➤ All shadecard colours available
➤ UV, heat and chemical stability
➤ Batch-to-batch colour control
➤ Global export-ready colour shades
PCPPL’s expertise turns a RAL shade into a reliable production-ready colour. Whether you are working with packaging films, blow molded bottles, injection molded parts, pipes, profiles, sheets or consumer goods, our custom MB solutions ensure consistent performance throughout.
Request Your RAL Masterbatch Match Today!
Send us your RAL code, polymer type and application, and we will provide a precisely matched masterbatch engineered for your production process.
Source: https://www.protolabs.com/en-gb/resources/design-tips/finding-a-balance-with-resin-colourants/
https://www.gabriel-chemie.com/
