The RAL K1 Colour Booklet is a compact professional colour chart containing 213 RAL CLASSIC colours in a practical spiral-bound gloss format. Designed for industrial manufacturing, design, product development, architecture, interiors, paints, coatings and engineering, it offers an economical and easy-to-use tool for selecting, comparing and communicating RAL colours in everyday professional work.
RAL CLASSIC is one of the most recognised colour systems for industrial and architectural colour communication. It is used internationally for paints, coatings, varnishes, machinery, architecture, product surfaces, signage, interiors, furniture and technical applications. The RAL K1 booklet brings this established colour language into a portable format that can be used in offices, studios, workshops, showrooms and on site.
The booklet contains 213 RAL CLASSIC colours in a gloss finish. Each colour is presented with a RAL code and colour name in German, English and French. This multilingual information supports international communication between designers, manufacturers, contractors, suppliers and clients. A clear four-digit RAL code helps reduce ambiguity and makes it easier to translate design choices into paint, coating or production specifications.
The RAL K1 measures approximately 10.5 × 20.0 cm. The individual colour swatches measure approximately 1.5 × 5.2 cm. The booklet format is designed to show 14 colours per double page, with the pages divided down the middle. This split-page construction is one of the key advantages of the K1, because it allows users to compare, contrast and combine colours with a high degree of flexibility.
Unlike a simple fixed colour chart, the divided page structure supports creative colour exploration. Users can flip one half of the booklet while keeping the other half visible, making it easier to test harmonising, contrasting or functional colour combinations. This is especially useful for design concepts, architectural colour schemes, interior palettes, product families and surface combinations.
The gloss finish makes the RAL K1 particularly relevant for applications involving glossy paints, varnishes, coatings, UPVC, powder-coated metal, lacquered surfaces and higher-sheen materials. Gloss affects the way colour is perceived; a shade can appear deeper, more saturated or more reflective than the same colour in a matte or semi-matt surface. For many paint and coating applications, a gloss colour chart offers a practical visual reference during early selection.
The colour strips are produced using a paint-stroke coated process, which gives the swatches a physical paint-like appearance rather than relying on ordinary printed simulation. This is important for professional colour communication, because physical colour samples are more reliable than screen colours or standard office printouts when the final result depends on real paint, coating or surface finish.
For industrial manufacturing, the RAL K1 supports colour decisions for coated parts, machinery, metalwork, plastic components, appliances, tools, furniture, fixtures and technical products. It helps design, engineering and production teams communicate colour choices with recognised RAL codes, supporting more efficient coordination between concept development, supplier discussions and sample approval.
For paints, varnishes and coatings, the booklet is a practical everyday reference. It can be used by paint suppliers, decorators, contractors, coating specialists and product teams to select colour directions before preparing larger samples, drawdowns or final production standards. Its compact size makes it suitable for quick colour matching during client consultations, site visits or workshop planning.
In architecture and interior design, the RAL K1 can support colour schemes for walls, doors, windows, frames, railings, signage, built-in furniture, fixtures and surface details. The split-page format makes it especially useful when comparing adjacent colours or building combinations for rooms, façades, public spaces, retail environments and material schemes.
For product design and industrial design, the booklet helps teams explore colour options for consumer goods, appliances, hardware, packaging components, furniture, interiors and technical products. It can be used alongside material samples, finish references, prototypes or mood boards to support early colour decisions and internal approval processes.
In graphic design and visual communication, RAL colours are often used for signage, wayfinding, environmental graphics, branded spaces and applied surface colour. While digital values are useful for early layout work, physical RAL references are essential when colour must later be reproduced in paint, coating or material finishes. The RAL K1 supports this bridge between creative planning and physical colour application.
The booklet is also useful for decorators, renovation professionals and home improvement contexts, especially where gloss paint, UPVC and powder-coated metal colours are involved. It provides a clear, compact overview of key RAL CLASSIC colours and supports straightforward communication with clients, suppliers and contractors.
Because the RAL K1 is small and easy to handle, it is ideal for frequent use and mobile work. It can be kept in a toolbox, sample case, studio drawer, site bag or sales folder. The spiral-bound format makes it easy to browse, compare and return to specific colours quickly during meetings or site visits.
The RAL K1 should be understood as a colour selection and communication tool. For binding colour matching, production approval or formal quality control, official RAL primary standards and suitable viewing conditions may be required depending on the application. The K1 is ideal for practical selection, comparison and colour planning, while final technical control should follow the relevant project and production requirements.
For professionals who need an economical, compact and flexible RAL CLASSIC reference, the RAL K1 Colour Booklet is a highly useful working tool. It supports faster colour decisions, clearer communication and more confident colour combinations across design, architecture, coatings, manufacturing and professional colour planning.
Key Benefits
- Compact RAL CLASSIC colour booklet
- Contains 213 RAL CLASSIC colours
- Gloss finish for paint and coating applications
- Spiral-bound format for easy handling
- Booklet size approx. 10.5 × 20.0 cm
- Colour swatch size approx. 1.5 × 5.2 cm
- 14 colours per double page
- Split-page format for flexible colour combinations
- RAL code included for every colour
- Colour names in German, English and French
- Useful for quick comparison and colour selection
- Practical for offices, studios, workshops and sites
- Supports architecture, interiors and product design
- Relevant for paints, varnishes, coatings and surfaces
- Economical everyday RAL colour communication tool
FAQ
What is the RAL K1 Colour Booklet?
The RAL K1 is a compact spiral-bound gloss colour booklet containing 213 RAL CLASSIC colours for colour selection, comparison and planning.
How many colours are included?
The RAL K1 contains 213 RAL CLASSIC colours in a gloss finish.
What size is the booklet?
The booklet measures approximately 10.5 × 20.0 cm, with individual colour swatches of approximately 1.5 × 5.2 cm.
Why is the page format divided?
The divided page format allows users to compare colours flexibly and create many different colour combinations by flipping each half independently.
Which languages are included?
Each colour includes the RAL code and colour name in German, English and French.
Is the RAL K1 suitable for final colour control?
It is mainly a colour selection and communication tool. For binding colour matching or formal quality control, official RAL primary standards may be required.