--- title: Changing Color and Gloss Effects on Aluminum Trim description: Changing color or gloss affects surface decoration for aluminum trim, making it possible to differentiate between product lines while retaining pattern structure. image: https://www.norcorp.com/hs-fs/file-56463129-jpg/images/pat-4837-abc-2.jpg --- //cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/60349/file-56463129-jpg/images/pat-4837-abc-2.jpg [](https://www.norcorp.com/design-aluminum-surfaces-blog/bid/115452/Changing-Color-and-Gloss-Effects-on-Aluminum-Trim#main-nav) [![Norcorp](https://www.norcorp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Northern-Engraving-Logo-white.png?width=530&name=Northern-Engraving-Logo-white.png "Norcorp")](https://www.norcorp.com/) - [Surfaces on Aluminum Design Blog](https://www.norcorp.com/design-aluminum-surfaces-blog) - Changing Color and Gloss Effects on Aluminum Trim # Changing Color and Gloss Effects on Aluminum Trim [![](https://www.norcorp.com/hubfs/norcorp/social-icons/facebook_footer.png)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.norcorp.com%2Fdesign-aluminum-surfaces-blog%2Fbid%2F115452%2FChanging-Color-and-Gloss-Effects-on-Aluminum-Trim) [![](https://www.norcorp.com/hubfs/norcorp/social-icons/linkedin_footer.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.norcorp.com%2Fdesign-aluminum-surfaces-blog%2Fbid%2F115452%2FChanging-Color-and-Gloss-Effects-on-Aluminum-Trim&title=&source=%2F&summary=) [![](https://www.norcorp.com/hubfs/norcorp/social-icons/twitter_footer.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Check%20out%20this%20great%20blog%20post%20I%20just%20read&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.norcorp.com%2Fdesign-aluminum-surfaces-blog%2Fbid%2F115452%2FChanging-Color-and-Gloss-Effects-on-Aluminum-Trim) [![](https://www.norcorp.com/hubfs/norcorp/social-icons/googlefooter.png)](https://plus.google.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.norcorp.com%2Fdesign-aluminum-surfaces-blog%2Fbid%2F115452%2FChanging-Color-and-Gloss-Effects-on-Aluminum-Trim) [Previous← Add Interest to Trim with Selective Brushed Aluminum](https://www.norcorp.com/design-aluminum-surfaces-blog/bid/115200/Add-Interest-to-Trim-with-Selective-Brushed-Aluminum) [NextDimensional Aluminum Surfaces →](https://www.norcorp.com/design-aluminum-surfaces-blog/bid/115513/Dimensional-Aluminum-Surfaces) [Vicky Bowie](https://www.norcorp.com/design-aluminum-surfaces-blog/author/vicky-bowie) **Wed, Jun 12, 2013 ** #### Changing Color and Gloss Effects It's been said many times in posts related to options for customization in patterns and finishes for aluminum nameplates and trim. Color, gloss, or scale - any of these can be tweaked to work with your design.  Color can be defined with a master or target chip.  A common reference for color is the Pantone Matching System (PMS).  Gloss is a measurement of the amount of light reflected off a surface and can be developed into low, medium and high percentages.  Here are some examples showing the same pattern scale and what happens when color or gloss is changed.  #### ![PAT-4837-A, PAT-4837-B, PAT-4837-C, geometric pattern on aluminum](https://www.norcorp.com/hs-fs/file-56463129-jpg/images/pat-4837-abc-2.jpg) #### Color PAT-4837-A is developed as a silver finish coupled with halftones and selective brushed aluminum for a dimensional structure and a sporty look. PAT-4837-B keeps the structure created with halftones and selective brushed aluminum but changes to a darker black tint for a more classic look. #### Gloss PAT-4837-B uses an overall low gloss which softens the look, helping the dimension to be subtle and understated. PAT-4837-C takes the same black tint and dimensional structure but uses an overall high gloss.  This creates a laquer-like shininess for a more dramatic and high energy look.  Additionally the black tint appears darker. #### Pulling it Together Changing the color or gloss level allows you to update the look of your product for little to no change in price because the structure has been defined and accounted for with the preparations. The difference can be as subtle as a move left or right on the color spectrum.  Or as deliberate as defining one product to have a soft matte black look and another to show a highly polished candy apple red.   *What other questions about finish development do you have?  Feel free to share in the comments below.* [![color guide, aluminum decoration options, color options on aluminum](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/60349/22103397-13f8-4073-a62b-acb47b17873e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/60349/22103397-13f8-4073-a62b-acb47b17873e)   Topics: [Aluminum Trim](https://www.norcorp.com/design-aluminum-surfaces-blog/topic/aluminum-trim), [Customization](https://www.norcorp.com/design-aluminum-surfaces-blog/topic/customization), [Materials and Processes](https://www.norcorp.com/design-aluminum-surfaces-blog/topic/materials-and-processes), [Gloss](https://www.norcorp.com/design-aluminum-surfaces-blog/topic/gloss), [Color Development](https://www.norcorp.com/design-aluminum-surfaces-blog/topic/color-development)   ### Subscribe to Design Blog - 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