The Munsell Book of Color Matte Collection is the master atlas of the Munsell Color Order System in a matte physical format. It is designed for professionals who need to specify, compare and communicate colour accurately across design, industry, science, regulation and production. For teams working with low-gloss, uncoated or diffuse surfaces, the Matte Collection provides a more relevant visual reference than a glossy colour atlas.
The Munsell system is built on a logical colour space rather than subjective colour names. Each colour is described through three visual attributes: hue, value and chroma. Hue defines the colour family, value describes lightness or darkness, and chroma describes saturation or colour strength. This structure makes it possible to communicate colour with far more precision than terms such as “soft blue”, “dark green” or “warm neutral”.
The Matte Collection contains over 1,600 removable matte colour samples on 40 constant-hue pages. These pages represent the full range of colours that make up the Munsell Color Order System and allow users to move systematically through colour families, tonal values and chroma levels. The main hue families include R, YR, Y, GY, G, BG, B, PB, P and RP, each organised in precise gradations.
The colour range is structured by value and chroma. Values generally run from 3 to 9 in whole steps, with an additional 8.5 step in the yellow range. Chroma begins at 2 and increases in steps of 2, depending on the hue, up to high chroma levels. This gives colour specialists a controlled way to identify whether a sample differs in hue direction, lightness or saturation.
In addition to the 40 main constant-hue pages, the collection includes nearly neutral and neutral references. Three colour charts cover nearly neutral colours with low chroma, while a neutral grey value chart provides 31 neutral grey steps from white to black. These neutral references are essential for assessing subtle greys, off-whites, shadow relationships, low-saturation colours and technical material surfaces.
Each colour chip is removable and marked with the corresponding Munsell notation. This makes the atlas practical for real colour workflows. A colour can be selected visually, removed from the binder, attached to a specification, compared with a sample, shared with a supplier or documented in technical communication. The notation on each chip helps reduce ambiguity between design, development, laboratory work, manufacturing and quality control.
The matte finish is one of the collection’s most important features. Matte colour standards are especially useful when final materials have little or no surface gloss. This includes paper, uncoated packaging, textiles, powder-coated surfaces, cosmetics, medical materials, environmental samples, painted matte components, architectural surfaces, natural materials, product finishes and many consumer goods.
Gloss affects colour perception. The same colour can look deeper, sharper or more saturated on a glossy surface and softer or flatter on a matte surface. When the final product is matte, evaluating colour against a glossy reference can create misleading expectations. The Munsell Book of Color Matte Collection provides a physical reference closer to diffuse, low-sheen surface appearance.
The collection is supplied in a robust single ring binder. The binder format keeps the atlas organised while allowing pages and chips to be accessed for flexible colour analysis. The supplied dimensions are approximately 35 cm × 10 cm × 30 cm, corresponding to the single 3.5" binder format commonly listed for this edition. The colour sheets measure approximately 25 × 30.5 cm, while individual removable chips measure around 20 × 33 mm.
For industrial manufacturing, the Matte Collection supports consistent colour communication between designers, engineers, suppliers and production teams. It can be used to specify product surfaces, coatings, plastics, finishes, textiles, packaging, hardware, components and materials where matte colour appearance matters. It is particularly useful when subjective colour naming is not precise enough for production.
For cosmetics and beauty, the matte atlas can support the evaluation of powders, pressed formulas, packaging surfaces, applicators, displays and low-gloss product components. In medical and scientific contexts, it provides a stable notation system for observation, classification and documentation. For government and regulatory agencies, the Munsell system offers a recognised framework for communicating colour in a systematic way.
In fashion, textiles and consumer goods, the collection helps teams discuss colour across materials and departments without relying on seasonal or brand-specific naming. It can support fabric matching, accessory development, trims, product surfaces, packaging and quality-control approvals. For environmental sciences, it can assist with the classification and description of natural or material colours when a matte reference is more appropriate.
The atlas includes a brief tutorial and clear graphics explaining how the Munsell Color System works, where a colour sits within the Munsell colour space and how to read Munsell notations correctly. This makes the book useful not only for experienced colour specialists, but also for design schools, engineering teams, research departments and organisations that need to train staff in systematic colour communication.
Because the chips are matte and removable, they should be handled carefully. Matte surfaces are more vulnerable to dirt, oils, fingerprints and abrasion than glossy surfaces. For the most reliable colour assessment, chips should be kept clean, protected from heavy handling and used under suitable standard lighting.
The Munsell Book of Color Matte Collection is not a trend palette or decorative colour book. It is a professional physical colour standard for teams that need a stable, systematic and internationally understood method of identifying and communicating colour. It supports clearer decisions from concept development to specification, supplier communication, production and quality control.
Key Benefits
- Master atlas of the Munsell Color Order System
- Over 1,600 removable matte colour samples
- 40 constant-hue colour pages
- Additional nearly neutral colour references
- 31-step neutral grey value chart included
- Removable chips with Munsell notation
- Individual chips approximately 20 × 33 mm
- Colour sheets approximately 25 × 30.5 cm
- Supplied in a robust single ring binder
- Organised by hue, value and chroma
- Matte finish for low-gloss and diffuse surfaces
- Useful for industrial, scientific and regulatory applications
- Supports product design, cosmetics, textiles and engineering
- Helps reduce subjective colour naming
- Glossy Edition available separately
FAQ
What is the Munsell Book of Color Matte Collection?
It is the matte master atlas of the Munsell Color Order System, containing over 1,600 removable colour samples for professional specification and communication.
What is the difference between the Matte and Glossy editions?
The Matte Collection is designed for colours without surface gloss, while the Glossy Collection is better suited to coated, polished or high-sheen surfaces.
Are the colour chips removable?
Yes. The colour chips are removable and marked with Munsell notation, making them useful for specifications, supplier communication and colour matching.
What does Munsell notation describe?
Munsell notation describes colour through hue, value and chroma, allowing colour to be communicated more precisely than with subjective colour names.
Which industries use the Matte Collection?
It is used in industrial manufacturing, product design, cosmetics, fashion, textiles, medical applications, engineering, environmental science, regulation and quality control.
How should matte chips be handled?
Matte chips should be handled carefully because they can be affected by dirt, oils and abrasion. For accurate work, keep them clean and use them under suitable standard lighting.