When starting a painting project, one of the first and most important decisions is color. Maybe you’re trying to match an existing paint color, or you have a hue in mind but don’t know the name or where to start. Rather than hoping you have a “close enough” shade, take the guesswork out of color matching and use one of the many available digital tools to find your paint color for a project.
Color can translate to computer technology through a series of color values, such as CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow and black), RGB (red, green, blue) or HEX (hexadecimal representation of color in RGB). These codes then provide values for a shade to accurately color match, even across brands.
At the CPIA, we understand how important color is to a project, especially when it comes to ensuring your client’s needs are met. The use of smart sensors and color codes can help you save valuable time without using swaths of color cards or paint chips.
While some apps require certain devices for a closer match, and others simply use your phone’s camera, there are a variety of options to suit your team and their needs. In this list, you’ll find a collection of what we believe are the top 10 paint match apps and tools for your team to consider for color matching onsite:
OUR TOP 10
1. Sherwin-Williams ColorSnap Match Pro
This color and sheen matching device can be used to scan the color of any flat surface for paint, textiles, carpet, tile, apparel, accessories and more, matching the color to the closest Sherwin-Williams paint colors. Unlike its predecessor version, the Pro is also able to find the sheen level of the paint. The company reports that it has a 96%+ match on its fan decks and is compatible with both Apple and Android devices, pairing with the Color Muse app. The product retails for $79.99.
2. Sherwin-Williams ColorSnap Visualizer
In this app, users can match photos to find paint colors by simply tapping anywhere on the photo and dragging to find the desired paint color. The newest version of ColorSnap Visualizer for mobile integrates an augmented reality (AR) experience called Instant Paint, providing a fast way to visualize any of Sherwin’s 1,700 colors in real-time. The app also allows users to create custom palettes, save colors and try different options. By entering the dimensions of the area you are painting, ColorSnap will estimate how much paint you need.
3. Color Capture by Benjamin Moore & Co.
This app utilizes users’ smartphones to color match, eliminating the need for an extra tool. While this app connects directly to Benjamin Moore’s database and stores, users can take a picture of paint color and instantly be connected to a catalog of over 3,300 paint colors to match. Additionally, the app provides a video visualizer to see what the selected digital paint would look like in use. If the user prefers to have a physical tool as well, the Benjamin Moore ColorReader is available for purchase starting at $99 and connects directly to the free app.
By uploading a photo either online or to the PPG Paints app, the scanned photo or surface will match with a color palette of available paint shades. Users can visualize their spaces with the selected colors, save them to custom swatches and order paint for the project. The app is a companion to the Nix Mini Color Sensor and the Nix Pro Color Sensors.
5. Nix Pro Color Selector (The Pro 2)
This is a handheld tool specifically designed for paint contractors and professional designers that allows users to compare two colors and create custom databases. Compatible with PANTONE, RAL and NCS, the tool pairs with a phone using the free Nix Toolkit app and allows users to switch between physical and digital features. The Pro 2, priced at $349, is smaller than a tennis ball and is able to complete over 5,000 scans before needing a recharge.
As another handheld tool, Automatchic Vision is a spectrophotometer with its own WIFI, providing the user with access to a database that contains over two million colors. With its online connection, the tool is able to send mixing software directly to the user’s computer to streamline the entire process. Prices vary, so contact the organization directly for further information.
7. Color Muse
With a variety of Color Sensors offered, the Variable brand has compact paint color sensors that connect to an online database with over 2,000 colors. Each individual tool, from the Color Muse to the Spectro 1 Pro, includes a clear breakdown of its strengths and weaknesses to ensure that the user chooses the tool that best suits the job. Prices range from $69.99 to $299.99.
8. Palette Pico
As one of the smallest color matching tools, the Pico connects to the Pico App, with a variety of colors and collections instantly available. The tool comes with a lanyard so it can be easily worn around the neck on job sites, and its additional features include the ability to measure reflected light and to adjust for environmental factors to ensure a consistent reading. The Pico tool is $79.
Using your device’s camera, this app provides color matching using a photo or by uploading colors by scanning the barcode on the back of a BEHR color card or brochure. The preview function then allows users to virtually “paint” rooms to select the correct color. The app also lets you save projects, colors, palettes and paint calculations for your upcoming projects.
10. The Home Depot ProjectColor App
Available on iOS and Android, users are able to snap a photo of anything that inspires them and match colors to the closest The Home Depot paint color. The app then finds similar or coordinating colors to create a palette for the project. Its visualizer function can preview these colors on interior or exterior spaces.
