Colour Ordering: A Systematic Approach

For professionals working with colour, systematic colour organisation is essential for effective communication and reproducibility. Human perception can distinguish approximately 10 million colour nuances [1], making it impossible to give every colour a unique name. This is why colour ordering systems have been developed to describe colours accurately and systematically.

Understanding and correctly applying colour dimensions determines how effectively you can communicate and use colours in different contexts. This article explores the fundamentals of colour ordering and helps you choose the right system for your specific application.

Achromatic and Chromatic Colours

Colours are divided into achromatic and chromatic colours. Achromatic colours – white, black and grey – contain no hue [2]. Shades of grey can range from white to black, and these variations can appear less harsh by adding a touch of colour.

Chromatic colours, on the other hand, contain a recognisable hue such as red, blue or yellow. For professionals, it is crucial that these colours have relationships with one another that can be used strategically. Warmer colours (red, orange, yellow) have an activating effect and draw attention, while cooler colours (blue, green, violet) have a calming effect and come across as more professional.

Hues and Tinting Strength

An important aspect of colour ordering is hue, which indicates the specific tint of a colour, such as red or blue. Colours can also vary in lightness and saturation. Lightness refers to the degree to which a colour reflects light, while saturation describes the intensity or vividness of a colour. The ability of a colour to change white, known as tinting strength, differs between pigments; some pigments have a stronger colouring power than others.

Hues and Tinting Strength

An important aspect of colour ordering is hue, which indicates the specific tint of a colour. Colours also vary in lightness – the degree to which a colour reflects light – and saturation, the intensity or vividness of a colour.

The ability of a colour to change white, known as tinting strength, differs between pigments. For professionals, this means that some colours are more dominant in mixtures than others. Red, for example, has stronger tinting strength than yellow, meaning that small amounts of red have a major impact on colour mixtures.