X-Rite Incorporated and Pantone announce new digital workflow capabilities in ColorDesigner PLUS color matching software designed for the retail paint industry. With integration into X-Rite’s Color iMatch formulation software and improved data sharing, paint manufacturers can now manage and share color data digitally with their paint retailers for accurate color matching, mixing, and dispensing. With a convenient digital workflow between the paint laboratory and retail location, companies can increase first hit matches up to 50 percent, reduce mis-tints, and increase paint sales.

Paint retailers rely on prepared color data from the manufacturer to sell dispensed paint. This requires an end-to-end digital solution that supports lab formulation data and point-of-sale systems. Including the Color iMatch EFX formulation engine in ColorDesigner PLUS improves color match performance for paint retailers. Now, labs can create, share, and control new paint formulations directly to paint retailers with unmatched precision. This translates into enhanced customer satisfaction for retailers and substantial reductions in waste and cost savings.

“The ColorDesigner PLUS and Color iMatch data connectivity brings streamlined efficiencies and a connected paint workflow,” said Matthew Adby, product management director, X-Rite. “This makes it easier for manufacturers to share new high-quality paint databases to support and grow retail paint sales with exact color matching.”

Other features added to ColorDesigner Plus include:

• New advanced correction capabilities to proof paint formulas before producing large or critical customer orders, reducing potential errors, and ensuring the highest quality product.
• Formulation improvements to optimize custom color matching with predefined rules set by the color laboratory, ensuring the first formula is the best.