Custom Plastic Color Concentrates
The necessary pigments needed to achieve the target color are compounded at a high concentration into a “carrier” resin that is the same as, or compatible with, the end-use polymeric resin. They are used at a prescribed let-down ratio (LDR) and mixed with a polymer base to be processed into the customer’s finished parts. This is done into a heterogeneous, or salt & pepper, blend and processed by our customers into finished goods.
Color Master offers a complete line of commodity and specialty color concentrates. All colors are available in a multitude of base resin systems and can be tailored exactly to the customer’s specific needs. Large volume or small volume, Color Master can fulfill your requirements. The links to the left will direct you to data for specific types of color concentrates. Explore our White Color Concentrates, Black Color Concentrates, and Custom Color Concentrates for specifications on each product type.
Why Use Color Concentrates?
The advantage of color concentrates is the ability to mix only the amount of color that is needed. Multiple colors can be blended and produced from one large box (Gaylord) of un-colored (natural) resin. This reduces inventory needs and warehouse space.
We have the capacity to produce soft plastic, silicone colorants and PVC color concentrate pellets with these methods, and our quality is unbeatable. It does require processing equipment that can adequately mix the color into the plastic resin; a requirement of all coloring options other than pre-color.
Masterbatch
In addition to our color matching services we also offer a range of special colors and additives. These special additives can make your product stand out whether you want it to glow in the dark or look like it was made of stone. These include:
- Fluorescent
- Phosphorescent
- Pearlescent
- Granite coloring
- And more
Masterbatch Polymers
Color Master’s masterbatch process is compatible with various polymers. These include:
- Polypropylene
- Polyethylene
- Polyolefin
- Polyamide
- Polyester
- Polystyrene
- Polyvinyl Chloride, or PVC
- Silicone
- Polyvinyl
- Polycarbonate
- Acrylic
- Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, or ABS
- Polyetheretherketone, or PEEK
- Polyetherimide, or PEI
- Polylactic Acid, or PLA
3D Filament Colorant
Color Master’s color concentrates allow you to use colorful filament for various 3D print models. We recognize that printing 3D filaments requires consistency. That is why we take great pride in providing high quality colorant offered in a variety of pigments. Our colorants are compatible with various 3D Filaments including ABS, PLA, PETG, Nylon, Polypropylene, TPU and Polycarbonate.
PLA Color Concentrate
PLA production is a popular idea because it fulfills the requirements of non-petroleum plastic production at a cost-efficient budget. We house a variety of cost-effective PLA-based masterbatch colorants for 3D printing filament. The key benefits of using PLA as a bioplastic are its versatility and its rapid degradation when exposed to the environment. There is a vast array of applications used for polylactic acid, some including automotive, biodegradable medical devices (screw, rods, pins, e.g.), 3D printing industries, and packaging industries. PLA color concentrate is the most popular material in the growing industry of 3D printing because of its renewable materials and its excellent mechanical properties. It is very flexible, durable, and does not require a heated printing bed. PLA color concentrate is compostable and is safe to use in food packaging where food contamination is not a problem. When used in the biomedical industry such as dental 3D printing materials, PLA degrades into a non-toxic acid. At Color Master, we focus our attention on developing the highest quality pigments, especially during the dispersion process. The dispersion process is critical to developing the strength, clarity, brilliance, and hues for the PLA colorant pigments. We guarantee all parameters are considered when it comes to producing PLA 3D printing colorant, including layer height, infill pattern, nozzle diameter, and materials characteristics.
Why Color Master Inc.?
At Color Master, our team of experts are able to collaborate with you to provide the best solutions for your needs. Along with custom options, our team is dedicated to providing some of the quickest turnaround times in the industry.
We continually strive to exceed our customers’ expectations in every facet of our services. At Color Master, quality is defined strictly on our customers’ terms, and success is judged according to our customers’ satisfaction. Our team is constantly improving our products and processes to satisfy customer needs, and to deliver defect-free work on time, every time. To provide our customers with a competitive edge, we couple our commitment to the best quality with a commitment to the best pricing. Feel free to send us one of your colors for a price quote and see for yourself.
Compatible Resins & Processes
Color Master’s color concentrates are formulated to work across a wide range of base resins and manufacturing processes, including:
- Polyolefins: for polypropylene and polyethylene applications
- Engineering Resins: for higher-performance polymer systems
- Styrenics: for ABS, HIPS, and related resin systems
- Polypropylene Compounds for Injection Molding and Extrusion & Blow Molding
These color concentrates can be run by injection molders, blow molders, profile extruders, roto molders, and sheet extruders with the right processing equipment to mix color concentrate into the resin base.
Color Concentrates by Industry
Color Master’s color concentrates are formulated to meet the performance and appearance requirements of the industries we serve:
- Medical & Dental: colors developed to support consistent, repeatable results across production runs
- Packaging: commodity and specialty color concentrates across olefins, styrenics, and engineering resins
- Consumer Products: standard and specialty pigments, including pearl, metallic, and color-changing effects
- Building & Construction: colorants formulated to withstand repeated use, washing, and varied light exposure
- Wire & Cable: standard NEC/ICEA shielding colors and custom formulations
- Recreational & Sports: durable, weatherable color concentrates for demanding outdoor applications
Frequently Asked Questions
What are plastic color concentrates?
Color concentrates are pigments compounded at a high concentration into a carrier resin compatible with the end-use polymer. They’re mixed into natural resin at a prescribed let-down ratio, letting manufacturers add only the color needed while reducing inventory and warehouse space compared to pre-colored resin.
What is a let-down ratio in color concentrates?
A let-down ratio (LDR) is the prescribed proportion of color concentrate mixed into a base resin to achieve the target color. Color Master formulates each color concentrate to a specific LDR so processors can consistently reproduce the desired shade across production runs.
What's the difference between a color concentrate and Masterbatch?
Color concentrate typically refers to pigment-only formulations for target color, while masterbatch can include both color and functional additives (like UV stabilizers or antistatic agents) in one carrier resin. Color Master offers both, plus custom additive masterbatches, for specialized performance needs.
What resins can be used with color concentrates?
Color Master’s color concentrates are compatible with a wide range of base resins, including polyolefins, styrenics, and engineering resins. Concentrates are formulated with a carrier resin that matches or is compatible with the customer’s end-use polymer for consistent processing results.
Does Color Master offer custom color matching for color concentrates?
Yes. Color Master offers commodity and specialty color concentrates, including fully custom-matched colors tailored to a customer’s exact specification, resin system, and let-down ratio, alongside standard black and white concentrate formulations.
