The RAL 841-GL Colour Primary Standard Set is the professional reference system for binding colour matching and quality control with RAL CLASSIC colours in a high-gloss finish. It contains 199 RAL CLASSIC colours as removable colour primary standard cards and is designed for colour-critical work in paints, coatings, varnishes, industrial manufacturing, product development, engineering, architecture, interiors and professional colour management.
RAL CLASSIC is one of the most established colour systems for industrial and architectural colour communication. It is used internationally for paints, varnishes, coatings, product surfaces, machinery, interiors, façades, signage, public infrastructure, furniture and technical applications. The RAL 841-GL set provides the high-precision physical standards needed when glossy RAL CLASSIC colours must be reproduced, checked and approved with confidence.
Unlike compact colour fans or creative planning tools, RAL 841-GL is not primarily intended for general colour inspiration. 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 visual and technical reference required when colour decisions become part of formulation, production, supplier approval or final quality assurance.
The set contains 199 RAL CLASSIC colours in gloss. 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 gives users a far more reliable visual basis than small swatches when assessing gloss varnishes, glossy paints, coated surfaces or high-sheen product finishes.
The gloss finish is the defining feature of RAL 841-GL. Gloss changes the way colour is perceived. A glossy shade can appear deeper, more brilliant, more saturated and more reflective than the same colour in semi-matt or matte form. For applications involving gloss varnishes, lacquered products, polished coatings, glossy industrial surfaces or high-sheen design elements, a gloss primary standard is essential.
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 support instrument-based quality control and help technical teams compare measured samples with the defined RAL reference.
For paint and coating manufacturers, the RAL 841-GL set supports formulation, reformulation and approval of glossy colour finishes. Development teams can use the physical card as the target reference for colour matching, while the printed colourimetric data provides a technical framework for measurement, documentation and quality verification.
For varnishes and gloss coatings, the set is particularly valuable. The practical A6 colour illustrations present each shade as a glossy swatch, making the cards suitable for matching gloss varnishes and high-gloss coating systems. This helps reduce the risk of evaluating a glossy final product against a reference with the wrong surface finish.
For industrial manufacturing, RAL 841-GL supports colour control across glossy coated metal parts, plastic components, machinery, appliances, consumer goods, furniture, hardware, technical products and surface systems. A RAL code may be sufficient during early selection, but production control requires a binding physical standard. The 841-GL cards provide that standard in a format suitable for professional colour management.
For architecture and interior applications, the set is useful when glossy RAL CLASSIC colours must be reproduced accurately across doors, windows, frames, metalwork, fixtures, façades, furniture, interior elements and coated architectural surfaces. The large A6 colour field allows colour and gloss impression to be assessed more confidently before final coating or production decisions are made.
For product design and industrial design, RAL 841-GL helps connect creative colour intention with technical production reality. Designers may first choose a colour using a fan such as RAL K5 or RAL K7, but once the colour becomes part of a formal glossy finish specification, a primary standard set like RAL 841-GL provides the authoritative reference for suppliers, coating partners and quality-control teams.
For graphic design, signage and environmental communication, glossy RAL colours may be used in branded surfaces, technical markings, displays, wayfinding systems and architectural details. Physical gloss standards are important when the final result depends on real coating, paint or varnish rather than screen colour or printed simulation.
For government agencies, public infrastructure, contractors and specification-driven projects, the set supports clear and traceable colour communication. When colour must be reproduced across multiple suppliers, locations or years, binding primary standard cards help reduce ambiguity and support consistent documentation.
All colours in the RAL 841-GL set are reproduced as original paint samples through a complex production and approval process. This distinguishes the set from ordinary printed charts and supports reliable long-term colour reference when the cards are handled and stored correctly.
The set is supplied in a protective case. This keeps the removable cards organised and helps protect them from unnecessary light exposure, 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 841-GL colour primary standard card is also available individually. This is useful when a card is frequently used, damaged, lost or needed separately for a specific project, supplier or production site. Replacement cards allow the set to remain complete without replacing the full collection.
The RAL 841-GL set should be understood as a technical colour-control standard rather than a general colour selection tool. It is most valuable when a colour has already been selected and must now be reproduced, matched, approved or monitored with precision. Used together with controlled lighting, suitable measuring instruments and defined tolerances, it supports a robust professional colour-control workflow.
For professionals working with glossy RAL CLASSIC colours, the RAL 841-GL Colour Primary Standard Set is an indispensable reference. It supports accurate colour matching, coating development, gloss varnish reproduction, supplier communication and strict quality control across design, production and industrial colour management.
Key Benefits
- RAL CLASSIC gloss colour primary standard set
- 199 RAL CLASSIC colours included
- Gloss finish for high-gloss applications
- 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
- Ideal for matching gloss varnishes
- 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
FAQ
What is the RAL 841-GL Colour Primary Standard Set?
It is a professional set of 199 gloss RAL CLASSIC colour primary standard cards used for binding colour matching, colour reproduction and quality control.
How many colours are included?
The RAL 841-GL set contains 199 RAL CLASSIC colours in a gloss 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 841-GL and RAL 840-HR?
RAL 841-GL contains gloss primary standards for matching gloss varnishes, while RAL 840-HR contains semi-matt primary standards.
Can individual cards be reordered?
Yes. RAL 841-GL colour primary standard cards are also available individually, so missing, damaged or frequently used cards can be replaced.