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Can you color match anodize?

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Hello, I’ve got a particular Pantone color in mind that needs to be applied consistently across all the visible surfaces of my aluminium parts. Anodizing seems like the right choice for durability, but I’m concerned about getting the color just right. Can anodizing be done to match an exact Pantone color? And if so, how close can I realistically get to the target shade? And are there common issues with color consistency I should watch out for, especially when running multiple batches?

Solved by Greg Paulsen

Adding to this--I always recommend powder coat if cosmetic color matching and consistency is the goal. As Joao mentioned, anodize will be slightly different from batch to batch due to pigmentation and color control is limited.

    • M

      Hello, I’ve got a particular Pantone color in mind that needs to be applied consistently across all the visible surfaces of my aluminium parts. Anodizing seems like the right choice for durability, but I’m concerned about getting the color just right. Can anodizing be done to match an exact Pantone color? And if so, how close can I realistically get to the target shade? And are there common issues with color consistency I should watch out for, especially when running multiple batches?

      0
    • Xometry Engineer

      Hi Balan,
      Anodizing doesn’t offer the same level of color control as other processes (like painting or powder coating), so matching an exact Pantone color can be challenging. However, it’s possible to get fairly close, depending on the anodizing process, the type of dye used, and factors like anodizing thickness and surface preparation. Common issues with color consistency include batch-to-batch variations and surface inconsistencies. To ensure the best match, provide a Pantone color sample or a part from a previous batch for reference, and run test pieces to confirm color consistency before proceeding with large batch production.

      • This reply was modified 10 months, 2 weeks ago by Joao Garcia.
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      • Xometry Engineer
        Joao Garcia

        Adding to this–I always recommend powder coat if cosmetic color matching and consistency is the goal. As Joao mentioned, anodize will be slightly different from batch to batch due to pigmentation and color control is limited.

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Can you color match anodize?
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