RAL? Pantone?

[image]

Hi
you can match RAL/Pantone colors on the http://www.easyrgb.com site.

First select the Search a Tint and type the RAL (or other color space) code, then click on Start button. You’ll get the RGB codes.
Next click on Match button (next to your RGB values), and select the Pantone simulations!
😎

[Lorraine Buchan]

Your right John,

a graphic designer/litho printer would reference to pantone colours, where as a powder coater or any metal painter would refer to RAL colours

I have no idea on your other questions

[storeinet]

In answer to the question what does RAL stand for,

Reichsausschuss für Lieferbedingungen” – RAL – (Committee of the German Reich for Terms and Conditions of Sale.

How did the name RAL come about?
In 1925, the private sector and the German government of that time founded the “Reichsausschuss für Lieferbedingungen” – RAL – (Committee of the German Reich for Terms and Conditions of Sale).
RAL’s original task was to standardize precise technical terms of delivery and sale for the purpose of rationalization. Today, RAL is the recognized competent body for reliable certification of products and services.

http://www.ral.de/farben/en/index.html

Dan

[Dave Standen]

Hi Dan
You know your stuff!

RAL number in this instance is a German (European?) Paint colour ref.
Sign Makers will come across this when asked to match a vinyl to a RAL colour.
There’s also a British Standards reference range.

Regards Dave Standen

[John Singh]

Barna:
Fantastic reference site
Marked it down as a ‘favourite’.

Dan:
To the customer we say: ” So what Reichsausschuss für Lieferbedingungen colour do you want then?”
Wouldn’t we get thrown out of the shop for being abusive?

I had no idea RAL went back soooo far!!!

Rob: I’ve no idea how this post ended up in the ‘hello’ section. I’m almost sure it was under general sign topics 😳

[Robert Lambie]

no problem mate.. it is now 😉

[John Childs]

We sometimes get given a RAL number as a colour reference, especially when our client’s parent company is in Germany.

RAL is used more for paint, and colour swatches are available from automotive paint suppliers. I blagged mine from our local bodyshop and find it invaluable.

One new client told me their corporate colour was RAL2000 or Pantone 151c and I had great fun in asking which one they wanted me to use because they weren’t even remotely similar. They didn’t believe me until I pulled out the swatches and proved it. That caused great upheaval in their marketing department. It won me brownie points though as nobody had pointed it out to them before and it gave them the impression that I knew what I was talking about, which is not always an easy feat.

[Adrian Howard]

for a free RAL colour chart (also includes British Standard ranges) ring cromadex 0121 555 1500 they are worth there wait in gold.

[Martin Armitage]

I have heard that Trimite 01895251234 can supply a colour chart with various colour formats RAL, PMS etc last time I asked it was about £80

[Lorraine Buchan]

News Flash ————————–

Cromadex have record call levels ———— and influx of requests for RAL colour charts has jammed the cromadex switchboard

[Henry Barker]

When it comes to paint does everyone use RAL in the UK or do you use the NCS system too?

http://www.ncs.se/engelsk/main.asp?menu=3&main=meny3/trade/Page1.asp

Thats what is used mainly here, but its still not easy to get matches from PMS to NCS without paying each time, they list alot of their partners including a few well known UK names.

[Graham.Scanlan]

also did you know if you get yourself a oracal vinyl colour card the colours have the ral number on them also

not sure about other manufacturers

this is a point not an advertisment