Significant Cost Reduction with MEC Color Matching Software

The MEC Color Matching Software not only makes the color matching process faster and more precise —
it also has a remarkable impact on reducing production costs.

Step 1: Building Your Database

To get started, you’ll need to create a database of your factory’s available pigments or base colors.
This database should include roughly three times the number of your base colors.
For example, if your factory has 15 base colors, building around 45 samples is sufficient.

This database is generated once using MEC’s proprietary algorithms, and after that, all future color matching tasks are performed automatically based on this database — no need to rebuild it again.

Step 2: The Case of RAL 7001

In this case study, the goal was to produce the color RAL 7001 (a light grey) using 14 available tinting pastes.
Within the software, you can define:

• Which tinting pastes are allowed in the formulation

• The maximum number of components per formula

After analysis, MEC generated 53 different formulations using the selected base colors.

Step 3: Selecting the Most Cost-Effective Formula

One of MEC’s most powerful features is its automatic cost calculation for each formula — based on your raw material prices.
You can easily sort the formulations by total cost and select the most economical option without compromising on accuracy.

As shown in the results, the production cost per kilogram of paste ranged from €6.7 to €10.0,
meaning that by selecting the right formulation, you can reduce your production cost by more than 30%.

Beyond Cost: Balancing Accuracy and Metamerism

While cost efficiency is crucial, other parameters such as metamerism performance must also be considered to ensure stable and high-quality color appearance under different lighting conditions.
MEC allows you to evaluate and optimize all of these factors simultaneously — for truly intelligent decision-making.

Final Word

With MEC Color Matching Software, you don’t just achieve precise color matches —
you gain a smarter, more economical, and more competitive production process.