By Mark Kotterink, director of the Dutch Colour Institute (SNKI) · Published 12 March 2026 · Updated 8 October 2026
Working with the NCS System
Record the NCS code as the exact reference: it applies to every material and every party. Always check against a physical fan deck or colour sample.
The Natural Colour System (NCS) is used worldwide to communicate colours in a reliable and reproducible way. The system makes it possible to make colour agreements that remain consistent from design to execution, regardless of material, supplier or application.
On this page you will learn how to work with NCS in practice.
1. Making colour agreements with NCS
NCS is used as a common language between:
- designers
- architects
- suppliers
- manufacturers
- contractors
An NCS code acts as an exact reference, ensuring everyone works with the same colour — even when materials differ, such as paint, plastic, textile or coatings.
2. Colour consistency in projects
In projects involving multiple parties, NCS ensures:
- unambiguous specifications in tender documents
- consistent colour choices in design documents
- clear agreements with suppliers
- less risk of miscommunication
- reproducible production in later phases
Because NCS is independent of production methods, you can effortlessly transfer colours between disciplines and working groups.
3. Colour matching in practice
With an NCS colour fan or colour sample you can:
- accurately identify existing colours
- assess differences between design and execution
- detect deviations in production or maintenance
- choose alternatives that visually fall within the same range
This makes NCS highly suitable for projects where colour control is essential, such as architecture, interiors, product development and industrial coatings.
4. Aligning materials
Because the same NCS code applies to all materials, you can easily:
- match facade colours with window frames
- match plastic parts with metal coatings
- coordinate textile colours with paint and interior components
- align print materials in visual identities
NCS reduces interpretation differences caused by screen colours, variable lighting or material gloss. Lighting and gloss do still affect how a colour looks.
5. Documentation and technical communication
Professionals use NCS codes in:
- technical drawings
- project documentation
- specifications and building standards
- product sheets
- quality protocols
- production instructions
This ensures colour agreements are traceable, verifiable and reproducible throughout the entire lifecycle of a project.
6. Colour control and quality assurance
In execution and production, you use NCS to:
- identify colour deviations
- assess tolerances
- adjust production processes
- establish visual quality standards
- exactly reproduce maintenance colours
For industries where colour consistency is crucial, NCS provides a neutral and reliable reference.
7. Always work with physical references
- physical NCS colour fans
- colour samples
- the NCS Index
- reference cards for colour control
These tools are essential for accurately assessing colours.
Want to learn more about working with NCS?
Take the comprehensive online NCS colour course from the Nederlands Kleur Instituut (Dutch Colour Institute) via the Kleurenschool.
There you will learn, among other things:
- how to use NCS in projects
- how to document colour agreements
- how to perform colour matching
- how to maintain colour consistency
Frequently asked questions
How do I specify an NCS colour in a tender document or specification?
Record the full NCS code, for example S 2050-Y90R, together with the gloss level and the material. Refer to a physical reference sample that is kept with the project. This makes the colour agreement traceable, verifiable and reproducible throughout the entire lifecycle of the project.
Does the same NCS code work on paint, plastic and textile?
Yes. The code describes the visual colour, independent of the material. This lets you match facade colours with window frames, match plastic parts with metal coatings and coordinate textiles with paint. Bear in mind that gloss, texture and lighting affect how the same colour appears on different materials.
Can I assess an NCS colour on a screen?
No. Digital colours are approximations and never exactly match physical colours. For professional colour work you use physical NCS colour fan decks, colour samples, the NCS Index and reference cards for colour control, preferably in the light where the work will be seen.
How do I use NCS for colour matching?
Place the colour fan deck or a colour sample next to the object and look for the closest nuance. This is how you identify existing colours, assess differences between design and execution and spot deviations in production or maintenance. With the NCS Colourpin you can also measure a colour instead of estimating it.
How does NCS help with colour control and quality assurance?
Because all parties use the same reference, you can spot colour deviations, assess tolerances and adjust production processes. Visual quality standards are recorded with NCS codes and samples, so that maintenance colours can be reproduced exactly years later.
Which parties work with NCS codes?
Designers, architects, suppliers, manufacturers and contractors. NCS acts as a common language in technical drawings, project documentation, tender documents, product sheets, quality protocols and production instructions, so that everyone works with the same colour, even when materials differ.
Take the online NCS colour course at the Kleurenschool ↗
Mark Kotterink, director of SNKI. Colour expert, lecturer and researcher with 35 years of experience in colour technology and colour application.