How to Choose Masterbatch Colour from RAL Sheet?
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?
- Base polymer (HDPE, LDPE, PP 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.
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:
- Natural colour of resin
- Melt flow rate
- Application (blow molding, injection molding or extrusion)
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
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
With Bajaj Plast Pvt.Ltd, clients are assured they are working with the best in the business. We provide:
Request Your Color 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.
About Bajaj Plast Pvt. Ltd.
Bajaj Plast Pvt. Ltd. is a leading manufacturer of high-quality masterbatch solutions, dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and excellence. With a strong focus on customer satisfaction and cutting-edge technology, we are committed to delivering superior products that meet the evolving needs of the polymer industry.
