The RAL D2 Colour Fan is a professional colour selection tool containing all 1,825 RAL DESIGN SYSTEM plus colours in a compact, practical fan deck. Developed for architecture, interior design, product development, industrial design, graphic design, coatings, paints, manufacturing and engineering, it provides a fast and systematic overview of one of the most precise colour systems for professional design and specification.
RAL DESIGN SYSTEM plus is based on the scientific CIELab colour model. Its colours are organised according to hue, lightness and chroma, making it especially useful for professionals who need to select and combine colours with method and clarity. Each colour is defined by a 7-digit RAL code that describes its position in the colour space, supporting reliable colour communication between design, planning, suppliers, production and clients.
The RAL D2 Colour Fan contains 1,825 colour tones displayed on 225 colour pages. The colours are arranged in colour circle order and organised into 40 separate colour palettes. Each palette is based on a hue located on the colour wheel between 0 and 360 degrees. Within each colour range, shades are arranged from light achromatic tones to darker chromatic shades, making the system easy to navigate during practical colour work.
This systematic structure gives designers a strong advantage when searching for related colours, building harmonies or comparing colours with the same hue, lightness or saturation. Rather than moving through a random collection of swatches, users can work through a coherent colour logic that supports both intuitive creativity and technical precision.
The fan is designed for everyday professional use. The protective box measures approximately 30.4 × 6.0 × 6.5 cm, while the fan itself measures approximately 28.8 × 5.0 × 5.0 cm. The individual colour fields measure approximately 2.5 × 5.0 cm. This format offers a useful balance between compact handling and readable colour presentation, making the D2 suitable for studio work, client meetings, construction sites, workshops and mobile consulting.
Every colour shade is shown with its 7-digit RAL DESIGN SYSTEM plus code and English colour name on the front. German, Chinese and Russian colour names are printed on the back of the colour field. This multilingual structure supports international colour communication and helps teams move easily between visual selection, written specification and cross-border project coordination.
The colours are presented in a semi-matt gloss level. This finish is particularly relevant for architecture, interiors, product design and many industrial applications where colours are often applied to moderately reflective surfaces. Semi-matt colour samples provide a practical visual reference for painted surfaces, coated components, furniture, fittings, interior elements, consumer goods, metalwork and material concepts.
The RAL D2 Colour Fan includes page numbers and an index for fast navigation. This is essential in a collection of 1,825 colours, where quick access to a specific shade can save time during consultation, presentation and project development. The index makes it easier to locate colours by code and move directly to the relevant page within the fan.
For architecture and interior design, the RAL D2 supports colour decisions for walls, doors, windows, frames, façades, furniture, fixtures, built-in elements, retail spaces, hospitality interiors, signage and public environments. Its compact format makes it especially useful when colours need to be selected, discussed or checked on site.
For product design and industrial design, the fan helps teams define colours for consumer goods, appliances, electronics, tools, furniture, mobility products, packaging components, hardware and technical products. The HLC structure helps designers refine colour choices systematically by hue, lightness and chroma, rather than relying only on subjective impression.
For industrial manufacturing, the RAL D2 supports early colour communication between design, engineering, sourcing, suppliers and production teams. A clearly defined RAL DESIGN SYSTEM plus code provides a shared language for discussion, while the physical fan gives users a practical visual reference before moving into samples, coatings or production-specific approvals.
For paints, varnishes and coatings, the fan is a useful reference for colour consultation, planning and preliminary specification. Paint producers, coating specialists, contractors and designers can use the D2 to identify colour directions, compare related nuances and discuss possible applications before creating material-specific samples or final coating references.
The RAL D2 is also valuable for developing harmonies and contrasts. Because the colours are sorted according to a coherent classification system, users can quickly locate shades with the same hue, compare lightness levels, identify chroma differences or build palettes with controlled tonal relationships. This makes the fan highly useful for collection development, interior schemes, surface concepts and product colour ranges.
For graphic design, branding and environmental communication, the RAL D2 helps when colour must be translated into real-world surfaces. Signage, wayfinding, branded interiors, exhibition design and applied surface graphics often require physical references because final results depend on paint, coating, substrate, lighting and surface finish.
The associative colour names add an additional creative layer. While the 7-digit code provides technical clarity, the colour name can help communicate the atmosphere, character or design intention behind a shade. This is particularly useful in client-facing work, where colour often needs to be understood emotionally as well as technically.
Compared with larger RAL DESIGN SYSTEM plus tools such as the D3 Colour Toolbook, D4 Colour Atlas or D6 Design Box, the RAL D2 is the compact overview tool. It is ideal for first selection, quick orientation and portable consultation. For detailed mood boards, removable chips or larger sheets, it can be combined with other RAL DESIGN SYSTEM plus tools.
The RAL D2 Colour Fan should be understood as a professional colour selection and communication tool. For binding production approval, formal quality control or final coating decisions, application-specific samples, controlled viewing conditions and relevant technical procedures may be required. The D2 is ideal for quick orientation, systematic selection, client consultation and early specification.
For professionals who need the full RAL DESIGN SYSTEM plus colour range in one practical and portable fan deck, the RAL D2 Colour Fan is an essential tool. It combines scientific colour structure, clear visual organisation and international colour naming to support confident decisions across design, architecture, interiors, coatings and industrial product development.
Key Benefits
- Complete RAL DESIGN SYSTEM plus colour fan
- Contains all 1,825 RAL DESIGN SYSTEM plus colours
- 225 colour pages
- Organised into 40 colour palettes
- Based on hue, lightness and chroma
- Box size approx. 30.4 × 6.0 × 6.5 cm
- Fan size approx. 28.8 × 5.0 × 5.0 cm
- Colour field size approx. 2.5 × 5.0 cm
- Semi-matt gloss level
- 7-digit RAL code for every shade
- English colour name on the front
- German, Chinese and Russian colour names on the back
- Page numbers and index for fast navigation
- Protective box for safe storage
- Ideal for design, architecture, interiors, coatings and industry
FAQ
What is the RAL D2 Colour Fan?
The RAL D2 Colour Fan is a compact professional fan deck containing all 1,825 RAL DESIGN SYSTEM plus colours for colour selection, comparison and communication.
How many colours are included?
The fan contains the full RAL DESIGN SYSTEM plus range with 1,825 semi-matt colour shades.
How are the colours organised?
The colours are arranged in colour circle order across 40 palettes and structured according to hue, lightness and chroma.
What information is shown with each colour?
Each colour includes a 7-digit RAL DESIGN SYSTEM plus code and English colour name on the front, with German, Chinese and Russian names on the back.
What size is the RAL D2 Colour Fan?
The fan measures approximately 28.8 × 5.0 × 5.0 cm, with colour fields of approximately 2.5 × 5.0 cm.
Is the RAL D2 suitable for final colour control?
The RAL D2 is mainly a colour selection and communication tool. For binding production approval, application-specific samples and controlled quality procedures may be required.