Direct answer
Stock acrylic colors are materials a supplier already has or can buy readily. They are faster and usually have lower minimums. A custom color is made to match a reference, often a Pantone code, which is useful when the tile color is central to your brand but can add cost, time and minimum quantities. Acrylic is not ink, so a match to a Pantone reference is close, not identical. Approve custom colors on physical samples under agreed lighting.
Key takeaways
- Start from stock colors if you can; it is faster and simpler.
- Custom colors suit brand-critical tiles and long-running collections.
- Expect minimums for custom colors, because material is made in batches.
- Pantone codes are references, not guarantees on acrylic.
- Approve on physical samples under consistent light.
Comparison
| Factor | Stock color | Custom matched color |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Faster | Extra matching step |
| Minimum quantity | Often lower | Often higher; see MOQ negotiation |
| Exactness | Choose from what exists | Close match to your reference |
| Reorders | Depends on continued availability | Requires the same recipe and approval |
| Best for | First runs, tests | Signature brand colors |
Why acrylic does not match Pantone exactly
Pantone references describe colors printed on paper. Acrylic has thickness, translucency and gloss, so the same color looks different. Layered tiles add another effect, because colors show through or sit next to each other. See how colors change across materials.
How to approve a custom color
- Send a physical reference and the Pantone code.
- Ask for material color chips.
- Compare under the lighting your customers use.
- Approve one chip and keep it as the reference.
- Check the color again on the full sample.
Checklist
- [ ] Stock options reviewed first
- [ ] Custom color minimum and time confirmed
- [ ] Physical reference provided
- [ ] Color chips approved under agreed light
- [ ] Reference chip kept for reorders
FAQ
Can acrylic match a Pantone color exactly?
Usually close, not identical. Approve the physical chip.
Do custom colors cost more?
They can, through material batches and matching work.
Will stock colors be available for reorders?
Ask the supplier how long a stock color is expected to be available.
Should accessories match the custom color?
Coordinate them, knowing that different materials will show the color differently.
Next step
Send Lucky Mahjong your color references. We will show stock options first and explain what a custom color would involve.