The RAL 840-HR Colour Primary Standard Set is the professional reference system for binding colour matching and quality control with the complete RAL CLASSIC colour collection. It contains all 216 RAL CLASSIC colours as semi-matt colour primary standard cards and is designed for colour-critical work in industrial manufacturing, paints, coatings, product development, engineering, architecture, interiors, design and government-related specification workflows.
RAL CLASSIC is one of the most widely used colour systems for industrial and architectural colour communication. It is recognised internationally across paints, varnishes, coatings, machinery, product surfaces, interiors, façades, signage, public infrastructure, furniture and technical applications. The RAL 840-HR set provides the high-precision physical standards required when colour decisions need to move beyond selection and become binding for production and quality control.
Unlike compact colour fans or creative sheet collections, RAL 840-HR is not primarily a presentation or mood-board tool. It is a set of colour primary standards. The cards are binding colour samples for colour matching, colour reproduction and quality-control processes. They provide the technical and visual reference required when colour must be reproduced accurately, checked against a standard and documented in a controlled way.
The set contains all 216 RAL CLASSIC colours in semi-matt. Each colour is displayed on a separate A5-sized card measuring 14.8 × 21.0 cm. The colour illustration itself is A6-sized, measuring 10.5 × 14.8 cm. This large colour field provides a much more reliable basis for visual assessment than a small fan-deck swatch, especially when colour is being checked for coating, paint, surface or production accuracy.
The semi-matt surface finish makes RAL 840-HR particularly relevant for formulating and matching matt varnishes, dispersion paints and many practical coating applications. Semi-matt standards are useful where final surfaces are not high-gloss but still need a realistic and reproducible coated appearance. This finish is important for architectural coatings, industrial surfaces, painted components, interiors, furniture, machinery and product finishes.
Each card includes the relevant technical colour information for the corresponding RAL CLASSIC shade. This includes XYZ values, the colour distance from the original RAL standard and the reflectance curve. These data points support instrument-based quality control and help technical teams compare measured samples with the defined RAL reference.
For coating manufacturers and paint laboratories, the RAL 840-HR set supports formulation, reformulation and quality verification. Development teams can use the primary standard card as the physical target for colour matching, while the printed colourimetric data provides a technical framework for measurement and documentation. This is essential when colour tolerances, batch consistency and customer approvals must be managed precisely.
For industrial manufacturing, RAL 840-HR supports the control of colour across coated metal parts, plastics, machinery, appliances, tools, hardware, furniture, consumer goods and technical components. A recognised RAL code alone may be sufficient for early communication, but production control requires a binding physical standard. The 840-HR cards provide that standard in a format suitable for serious colour management.
For architecture and interior applications, the set is useful when RAL CLASSIC colours must be specified and reproduced with high reliability across paints, architectural coatings, doors, windows, frames, façades, interior elements, metalwork, furniture and built-in components. The large A6 colour field on each card allows colour to be assessed more confidently before final coating or production decisions are made.
For product design and industrial design, RAL 840-HR helps teams connect creative colour intention with technical production reality. Designers may first select colours using fans such as RAL K5 or RAL K7, but when a colour becomes part of a formal specification, a primary standard set like RAL 840-HR provides the more authoritative reference for suppliers, manufacturers and quality-control teams.
For government agencies, public infrastructure and regulated colour applications, the set supports consistent colour communication across contractors, coating suppliers, production partners and approval bodies. When colours must be reproducible across locations, projects and years, binding primary standards reduce ambiguity and strengthen documentation.
All colour swatches in the set are produced as original paint samples and undergo a rigorous manufacturing and approval process. This distinguishes them from ordinary printed colour charts. The result is a high-quality physical standard designed for reliable colour reproduction and long-term professional use when stored and handled correctly.
The set is supplied in a protective case, helping keep the individual cards organised and protected from unnecessary light, dirt and handling damage. Because physical colour standards can be affected by abrasion, fingerprints, contamination, moisture and prolonged exposure to light, careful storage is essential for maintaining reliable colour comparison over time.
Each RAL 840-HR colour primary standard card is also available individually. This is useful when a card is frequently used, damaged, misplaced or required separately for a specific project, supplier or production site. Replacement cards allow the full set to remain complete and up to date without replacing the entire collection.
The RAL 840-HR set should be understood as a technical colour-control standard rather than a general colour inspiration tool. It is most valuable when a colour has already been selected and must now be matched, reproduced, approved or monitored with precision. Used together with controlled lighting, suitable measurement instruments and defined tolerances, it supports a robust professional colour-control workflow.
For companies working with the full RAL CLASSIC range in semi-matt applications, the RAL 840-HR Colour Primary Standard Set is an indispensable reference. It supports reliable colour matching, accurate specification, supplier communication, coating development and strict quality assurance across design, production and industrial colour management.
Key Benefits
- Complete RAL CLASSIC colour primary standard set
- All 216 RAL CLASSIC colours included
- Semi-matt gloss level
- A5-sized cards, 14.8 × 21.0 cm
- A6-sized colour illustration, 10.5 × 14.8 cm
- Binding colour samples for colour matching
- Designed for quality control and colour reproduction
- Includes XYZ values for each colour
- Includes colour distance from the original RAL standard
- Includes reflectance curve information
- Produced as original paint samples
- Rigorous manufacturing and approval process
- Supplied in a protective case
- Individual primary standard cards available separately
- Essential for paints, coatings and industrial colour control
FAQ
What is the RAL 840-HR Colour Primary Standard Set?
It is a complete set of 216 semi-matt RAL CLASSIC colour primary standard cards used for binding colour matching, colour reproduction and quality control.
How many colours are included?
The set contains all 216 RAL CLASSIC colours in a semi-matt surface finish.
What size are the cards?
Each card is A5-sized, measuring 14.8 × 21.0 cm, with an A6-sized colour illustration measuring 10.5 × 14.8 cm.
What technical data is included?
Each card includes XYZ values, the colour distance from the original RAL standard and the reflectance curve for the corresponding colour.
What is the difference between RAL 840-HR and a RAL colour fan?
A RAL colour fan is mainly used for colour selection and communication. RAL 840-HR is a binding primary standard set for colour matching and quality control.
Can individual cards be reordered?
Yes. RAL 840-HR colour primary standard cards are also available individually, so missing or frequently used cards can be replaced.