Select likely colors, the correct product, and the finish or sheen required for the surface.
Hand-painted samples
Start with the actual color and finish.
A sample is the first step in choosing paint—not a smaller version of the final order. Use it to compare colors, understand the finish, evaluate the project’s materials and lighting, and make changes before paint is produced in project quantities.
Painted, not printed.
Our physical samples are made with the actual paint or specialty
finish rather than reproduced from a digital color value.
See the real finish
Review pigment, sheen, texture, and light response—not only a
screen representation.
Make decisions earlier
Compare options and refine the direction before project paint is
tinted and produced.
Order with confidence
Confirm the color, product, sheen, and application before choosing
the final quantity.
From first sample to future reorder
A simple decision process
Begin with enough options to make a useful comparison. Then narrow, test, refine, and approve before purchasing the paint required for the project.
Use Chips for initial comparison, Brushouts for color decisions, and Test Pots when application matters.
Compare the samples with the project’s light, flooring, wood, stone, textiles, and surrounding colors.
Change the color, request a custom match, order a larger sample, or schedule a consultation.
Confirm the exact color, product, sheen, quantity, and project information before purchasing paint.
Use the original color, order, client, or project information when additional paint is needed.
Choose the right format
Different samples answer different questions
A larger or liquid sample is not always necessary. Choose the smallest format that accurately represents the decision you need to make.
3 × 3 inches
Chip
A compact hand-painted sample for comparing several standard colors, building an initial palette, or narrowing a larger group of possibilities.
Best for:
preliminary color selection and comparing several options at
once.
8 × 11 inches
Brushout
A larger hand-painted sample that shows color and finish across enough area to evaluate it more reliably in the project’s lighting and alongside other materials.
Best for:
most final color decisions, design presentations, material
boards, and client approval.
8 fluid ounces
Test Pot
Liquid paint for testing the actual product on the intended substrate. A Test Pot lets you evaluate application, texture, coverage, and the effect of the surrounding surface.
Best for:
Metallic, Lime, Suede, textured finishes, unusual substrates,
and contractor application tests.
Complete color palette
Fandeck
A portable set of 512 hand-painted colors for people who specify paint repeatedly and need to compare the complete palette across multiple projects.
Best for:
designers, architects, painters, builders, and frequent color
selection.
Shop samples by paint and finish
Start with the product you intend to use
Sample the actual paint or specialty finish whenever possible. Changing the product, sheen, or finish system can change the way the same color appears.
Sample available
Brushes
$ 0.50
Sample available
Direct To Metal Primer
DTM Primer is a water-based, 100% acrylic direct-to-metal coating that seals, primes, and shields metal surfaces. Formulated with rust-inhibitive pig...
$ 52.00
Sample available
Endura Flat
Sample a highly durable dead-flat finish intended for projects requiring a minimal sheen.
Samples from $ 14.00
Sample available
Exterior Paint
Evaluate exterior color in daylight and against roofing, masonry, wood, metal, and surrounding materials.
Samples from $ 2.00
Currently unavailable
Fandecks
The complete portable selection of 512 hand-painted colors for recurring specification and project work.
Currently unavailable
Sample available
Interior Paint
Standard architectural color samples for interior walls, ceilings, and related painted surfaces.
Samples from $ 2.00
Sample available
Jax Patina
Jax Patina Agents are made to produce genuine, aged finishes on various metals to creating stunning, oxidized effects that bring timeless character to a...
$ 19.00
Sample available
Lime Paint
Review the tonal variation of Lime with a Brushout, or use a Test Pot to evaluate the application directly.
Samples from $ 16.00
Sample available
Metallic Paint
See the actual pearlescent finish and how the selected Metallic color responds to light and application.
Samples from $ 4.00
Sample available
Patina Finish Kits
Evaluate the complete reactive metal-and-patina system on a representative surface before the full project.
Samples from $ 5.00
Sample available
Patina Metal Paint (Base Only)
Patina Paint is specially designed to oxidize and age gracefully, influenced by environmental conditions. This process creates rich, nuanced surfaces th...
$ 115.00
Sample available
Patina Sealer
Patina Sealer is specially formulated to encapsulate and halt the bloom of naturally aged metal finishes and preserve their unique beauty. This acrylic ...
$ 58.00
Sample available
Stain Blocking Primer
Stain-Blocking Primer is a 100% acrylic water based stain blocker, designed to seal and block most bleeding type stains on interior and exterior surf...
$ 30.00
Sample available
Suede Paint
Evaluate Suede color together with its dead-flat, directional brushed texture.
Samples from $ 15.00
Sample available
Super Trim Paint
Samples for cabinets, doors, trim, millwork, and casework where sheen and a harder enamel finish matter.
$ 47.00
Review the sample correctly
Evaluate color where it will be used
A sample should be judged against the actual materials and lighting of the project—not by itself on a desk or under a single light source.
01
Use the intended orientation
Review wall colors vertically, ceiling colors overhead, and casework samples beside the actual materials.
02
Check changing light
Revisit the sample during the day and under the artificial lighting that will be used in the finished space.
03
Compare, do not isolate
Place options together and compare them with flooring, wood, stone, tile, textiles, and existing paint.
04
Test the full system when needed
For liquid samples, use the intended substrate, preparation, primer, tools, and application process.
05
Allow the finish to dry
Judge the final dried surface rather than the wet paint, especially with deeper colors and specialty finishes.
When the standard sample is not enough
Refine the color or ask for help
The sample may confirm the selection, reveal that another standard color is better, or show that the project requires a custom color or more involved consultation.
Match an existing material.
We can develop most products from paint, fabric, wallcovering, stone, tile, wood, and other physical references. Approved custom colors are retained with a physical painted standard.
Standard development fee: $25 per colorGet focused guidance from anywhere.
Review color, sheen, product selection, finish systems, and material relationships with a Paint Laboratory colorist by video.
$200 per hourEvaluate the actual Seattle-area space.
Review daylight, artificial light, fixed materials, adjacent rooms, substrates, and practical project requirements on site.
$240 per hour · Seattle and surrounding area
Approve and purchase paint
Carry the approved decision into the order
Before purchasing project quantities, verify every part of the selection—not only the color name. The paint product and sheen determine where and how the finish should be used.
01
Confirm the exact color
Record the collection, color name, value, or custom project reference associated with the approved sample.
02
Confirm product and sheen
Interior, Exterior, Super, Metallic, Lime, Suede, and other finishes are separate product systems.
03
Calculate the project quantity
Consider surface area, number of coats, substrate, application method, waste, and material reserved for later touch-ups.
04
Keep the approved sample
Label it with the room or surface so the project team has a physical reference during application.
Future orders
Make the next order easier
Keep the original order number, color name, product, sheen, and project information. For custom colors, we retain the approved formula and a physical painted standard so later production can be checked against the original result.
Sample questions
Before you order
Call us at (206) 557-4737 when the project, substrate, or finish makes the correct sample format unclear.
Which sample format should I choose?
Use Chips to compare several standard colors, Brushouts for most
final color decisions, and Test Pots when you need to evaluate
application, substrate, texture, or a specialty finish. For
designers and other frequent specifiers, a Fandeck provides the
complete color palette.
Are the samples printed?
No. Our physical samples are painted using the actual paint or
specialty finish. A screen image is still useful for initial
browsing, but it cannot reproduce pigment, sheen, texture, or
changing light as reliably as a painted sample.
Why are Chips unavailable for some finishes?
Lime and Suede rely on application and texture to create their
finished appearance, so a small conventional Chip cannot
represent them adequately. These finishes are available as
larger Brushouts and liquid Test Pots.
Can I order a custom-color sample?
Custom colors are developed individually and may not be available
through the standard online sample selector. Contact us with the
desired product and reference material so we can explain the
matching fee, minimum quantity, and available approval method.
How should I test a specialty finish?
Use the intended substrate and follow the recommended preparation,
primer, number of coats, tools, and application process. Metallic,
Lime, Suede, and Patina are influenced by technique and surface
conditions, so the Test Pot should be treated as a small
application trial rather than only a color swatch.
Can I reorder the same paint later?
Yes. Provide the original order number, product, sheen, color,
client, or project name whenever possible. Approved custom colors
are retained with a physical painted standard to support future
production and project continuity.