Color Palette
How Our Colors Work
When selecting a color, keep in mind each of our finishes has a slightly different look even though the color pigment is the same. Before any pigment is added, our plasters look like the "Base Plaster Color" called Snow Canyon (003). Simply add our pigments to the plaster to recreate any of our colors.
Our standard colors are only the beginning of American Clay's color offerings, we also offer blended colors which make it easy for you to create a perfect palette for your project. Just select a color from our collection to be mixed with the clay plaster.
To Achieve Standard Colors
Mix your selected color pack into one bag of plaster.
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Example: 1 color pack of Sugarloaf White mixed into 1 bag of plaster will achieve Sugarloaf White.
To Achieve Blended Colors
Follow the formula listed with the color name and mix with one bag of plaster.
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Example: 1 color pack of Sugarloaf White + 1 color pack of Acacia mixed into 1 bag of plaster will achieve White Plains.
To Achieve Colors in the Illumina Color Series
Mix your selected standard Forté White color pack into one bag of Forté White plaster.
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Example: 1 color pack of Seadrift mixed into 1 bag of Forté White plaster will achieve Seadrift.
If you have seen it in nature, you can find it here. No matter where you've been, we have a color to match your vision. With our standard and blended color options, there are many options available.
When you order a bag of our plaster, you will also need to order color, which you hand blend with the clay plaster to create the shade and consistency perfect for your project. The natural oxides and ochres used in our color packs ensure your finish will be naturally resistant to UV rays and will not experience the kind of fading normally associated with petroleum colorants and other finishes.
American Clay pigments are placed in individual packs that are pre-measured to be added to one 50 lb. bag of plaster (Forté Base, Forté Finish, Forté White, Loma™, Lomalina™, Porcelina™ or Marittimo™) or one 63 lb. bag of Enjarre™ plaster. Our 224 standard and blended color offerings can be used in all finishes except Forté White. Forté White can be used in its natural form for the whitest tone achievable in our plasters. This plaster can also be used with a select number of American Clay's standard Forté White color pigments - the "Illimuna Color Series."
Individual color packs will vary in weight depending on how much pigment is used to create that specific color. Our pigments are made in batches and every pack will have a batch number printed on the label. We do recommend using color pigment packs from the same batch. If this is not an option, simply batch multiple bags of clay plaster with the different batches of pigment in a large mixing bin to ensure color consistency.
Color Packs
Color Samples
If you would like to see a color in person, we can produce and ship it to your home for review. In addition, small 2 & 5 pound bags of the pre-colored dry plaster are also available at a low cost. To order, please visit our Online Store if you already know what you need. If you need a color consultation, please contact American Clay directly at 1-866-404-1634.
Color Sample Options:
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Size: 6" x 6" — Cost: $5.00 for one or $25.00 for a set of five
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Lead Time: Samples are typically produced within 2 weeks (not including shipping time). Orders for multiple sets of samples will require longer production time.
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Samples cannot be produced for Lime Gauged finishes, Lime Washed finishes, artistic techniques, or for custom colors.
Color Disclaimer
Colors on mobile devices and computer monitors are not 100% accurate. Please see our Samples page to purchase a sample of your desired color. We are using natural pigments and materials that can vary in strength and hue from batch to batch. Although color variations are closely monitored it is a good idea to buy all pigment and plaster for a project from the same lot. If that is not possible, be sure to batch your plaster and pigment materials together to decrease these variations. With this in mind, we encourage you or your applicator to make sample boards or on-site sample walls in order for to you to approve final finish and color.