The RAL K5 Semi-Matt Colour Fan is a professional colour specification tool containing all 216 RAL CLASSIC colours in a large, full-page semi-matt format. Designed for industrial manufacturing, product development, architecture, interior design, graphic design, paints, coatings and engineering, it provides a compact yet highly practical physical reference for selecting, comparing and communicating RAL colours.
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, furniture, public infrastructure and technical applications. The RAL K5 Semi-Matt fan brings the full RAL CLASSIC collection into a professional format that supports everyday colour decisions in offices, studios, workshops, showrooms and on-site environments.
The fan contains all 216 RAL CLASSIC colours, including solid colours, safety and signal colours, important metallic and mica-effect colours, 15 pearl colours and 6 luminous colours. Together, these colours form a historically developed collection of essential industrial shades used across many sectors worldwide. For companies that need a consistent colour language between design, planning, production, suppliers and clients, the RAL K5 Semi-Matt is a key working tool.
Each colour is displayed as a full-area page measuring 5 × 15 cm. This large colour field is one of the most important advantages of the K5 format. It gives users a stronger impression of the colour effect than smaller overview fans and makes it easier to judge brightness, undertone, saturation, contrast and combination potential. A larger swatch also helps reduce uncertainty when colours are intended for larger product surfaces, painted components or architectural elements.
The semi-matt gloss level makes this version especially versatile. Many real-world surfaces are neither highly glossy nor completely matte. Semi-matt colour samples can provide a practical visual reference for painted interiors, powder-coated metal, furniture, coated components, architectural fittings, industrial surfaces, packaging elements, machinery, consumer goods and design objects. When the final application has a satin or moderate-gloss appearance, the RAL K5 Semi-Matt offers a more relevant reference than a glossy fan.
The RAL K5 Semi-Matt is manufactured with water-based paints. This production method significantly reduces VOC emissions compared with conventional nitrocellulose lacquer production and supports a more environmentally conscious approach to colour sample manufacturing. The water-based, low-solvent colours also provide improved UV resistance and better long-term protection against yellowing, helping the fan remain reliable when handled and stored correctly.
Each page shows one RAL colour on the front. On the back, the four-digit RAL CLASSIC code and the colour name are printed in eight languages. This is particularly useful for international projects, where design, manufacturing, sourcing and construction teams may work across different countries and languages. Clear codes and multilingual colour names help reduce misunderstandings and support more efficient colour communication.
For industrial manufacturing, the RAL K5 Semi-Matt supports colour decisions for coated metal parts, plastics, technical components, machinery, appliances, tools, furniture, consumer goods and surface finishes. It helps teams define colour early in the development process and carry that decision through engineering, sourcing, supplier communication, sample approval and production.
For paints, varnishes and coatings, the fan is a practical reference for selecting colours for semi-matt and satin applications. It can be used by paint suppliers, coating specialists, contractors, designers and clients to compare colour options before preparing drawdowns, sample panels or final production references. It also supports conversations around colour combinations, material context and application-related design.
In architecture and interior design, the RAL K5 Semi-Matt can be used for walls, doors, windows, frames, railings, fixtures, built-in furniture, signage, lighting components and interior elements. The full-page format makes colours easier to present to clients and easier to evaluate in relation to wood, metal, stone, textiles, plastics, glass and other materials.
For product design and industrial design, the fan helps develop colour concepts for consumer products, electronics, appliances, mobility products, hardware, packaging components and plastic parts. Designers can place the large colour swatches next to prototypes, material samples or finish references to evaluate how a colour supports the intended product identity.
The K5 format also supports graphic design, branding and visual communication when RAL colours are used in signage, wayfinding, environmental graphics, exhibition design, branded interiors or technical markings. Digital colour values can support early planning, but physical RAL standards remain essential when the final result depends on paint, coating, surface finish and real viewing conditions.
The fan deck is compact, portable and protected by a U-shaped cover. It can be carried to construction sites, client meetings, factories, studios or showrooms and used for quick colour matching or detailed colour comparison. The pages can be fanned out, compared individually or held directly against materials and surfaces.
The RAL K5 Semi-Matt is also available for customisation in larger quantities, making it suitable for branded colour communication, sales teams, sample presentations, specification packages and customer-facing colour tools. For companies working repeatedly with RAL CLASSIC colours, a personalised fan can become a practical extension of their own colour communication system.
The RAL K5 Semi-Matt should be understood as a professional tool for colour selection, comparison and communication. For binding colour matching, production control or formal quality assurance, official RAL primary standards and suitable viewing conditions may be required depending on the application. The K5 Semi-Matt is ideal for practical colour planning and cross-functional discussion before final technical control.
For international professionals working with semi-matt RAL CLASSIC colours, this fan deck offers a reliable and highly usable reference. It supports confident colour decisions, clearer specification and more consistent communication across design, architecture, manufacturing, coatings and industrial production.
Key Benefits
- Complete RAL CLASSIC colour fan in semi-matt finish
- All 216 RAL CLASSIC colours included
- Includes 15 pearl colours
- Includes 6 luminous colours
- Full-page colour display, 5 × 15 cm
- One colour per page
- Semi-matt surface for satin and moderate-gloss applications
- Produced with water-based paints
- Reduced VOC emissions during production
- Improved UV resistance and yellowing protection
- RAL code and colour name on the back
- Colour names printed in eight languages
- Compact portable fan deck format
- Protective U-shaped cover
- Suitable for design, architecture, coatings and industry
FAQ
What is the RAL K5 Semi-Matt Colour Fan?
The RAL K5 Semi-Matt is a professional fan deck containing all 216 RAL CLASSIC colours in a large 5 × 15 cm full-page semi-matt format.
Which colours are included?
It includes the complete RAL CLASSIC collection of 216 colours, including solid, safety, signal, pearl, luminous and metallic or mica-effect colours.
What is the difference between RAL K5 Semi-Matt and RAL K5 Gloss?
The Semi-Matt version is designed for satin and moderate-gloss surfaces, while the Gloss version is better suited to glossy and high-sheen applications.
What information is printed on the back?
Each colour page includes the four-digit RAL CLASSIC colour code and the colour name in eight languages for international communication.
Why are water-based paints used?
Water-based paints reduce VOC emissions during production and offer improved UV resistance and better long-term protection against yellowing.
Is the RAL K5 Semi-Matt suitable for final colour control?
It is primarily a colour selection and communication tool. For binding colour matching and formal quality control, official RAL primary standards may be required.