• About
  • Careers
  • Services
  • Partnership
  • Process
  • ConeMount
  • Blog
Menu
  • About
  • Careers
  • Services
  • Partnership
  • Process
  • ConeMount
  • Blog
Request a Quote
  • January 26, 2022
  • Reata Engineering

Best Practices for Achieving Color Consistency in Anodized Parts

Complete PO

When you need a high-quality part or assembly, every last detail matters—including, of course, the color. But did you know that a finishing process like anodization doesn’t always produce a consistent color every time?

If you select black or clear anodize, you probably won’t run into this problem. But once you introduce other colors to a part, the risk of variation increases. Take blue anodized parts, for example. Depending on different factors, the hues could range from nearly navy to a sunny sky blue.

It’s important to set the right expectations about color consistency for anodized parts. But we also have some tips for ensuring better, brighter colors.

Factors That Cause Color Variation During Anodizing

First, let’s look at the main factors that cause color variation during anodizing: 

1. Differences among components

Color Consistency

If you have an assembly with multiple components, you may be dealing with various materials. Furthermore, each component may undergo a different machining process. Both of these factors can impact color variation. 

If, for instance, we remove material from deep into the grain of one component versus another, the extrusion surface may break and expose raw material, resulting in a different color hue after anodizing.

2. Inconsistency between batches

Not all components in an assembly are anodized in the same batch. 

Suppose you place an order for 20 assemblies, with each assembly containing 5 different components. All the parts need to be blue, but the anodizer is unlikely to dip each assembly one at a time. Instead, they’ll typically batch anodizing by each part type. Once the assembly is complete, you may notice color variations among the 5 components.

3. Sequence of parts.

Parts are anodized in sequential order, and those that are dipped last tend to have lighter hues. This concept applies even in the same anodizing tub. 

If you’ve ever dyed Easter eggs with your kids, you’ve likely seen this phenomenon firsthand. 

Strategies for Achieving Color Consistency in Anodized Parts

Fortunately, there are ways to take control of the anodizing process and achieve better color consistency:

1. Place uniform orders.

If your components will be assembled side by side and you need the colors to match, order those parts at the same time and be sure to communicate the reasoning to your supplier. They can help ensure that the components are part of the same batch.

2. Provide an approved sample.

Believe it or not, images aren’t very accurate for color matching. A better alternative is to provide an approved sample and an approved range of hue variations for your part color.

3. Consolidate your supply chain.

One of the best ways to ensure color consistency is to send parts to the same anodizer. At Reata Engineering, we specialize in managing supply chains for our customers and will do our best to make this happen. We’ll even consolidate machined parts that come in from various contract manufacturing companies before sending them for anodizing. 

Remember that color variation is still possible even with these strategies in place. If consistency is your primary concern, your best bet is to select black or clear anodize. 

Need a contract manufacturing partner that will work with you to help you make the right decisions and get the highest quality parts and assemblies? Request a quote from Reata Engineering, and we’ll respond within 24 hours.

Recent Posts

  • Why “Approximately Correct” Is Better Than “Perfectly Wrong” in Contract Manufacturing
  • Why Your Contract Manufacturing Partner Should Handle Production AND Inspection
  • Identifying and Overcoming Bottlenecks to Maximize Manufacturing Efficiency
  • “Do Or Do Not; There Is No Try.” Wise Words from Yoda, the Mascot of Our Precision Machine Shop
  • What Should You Look for in a Manufacturing Partner? A Can-Do Attitude!
  • Better People, Better Parts: How Reata’s Talented Team Drives Our Customers’ Success
  • Engineering Expertise at Reata: Supporting Complex Designs for Superior Results
  • Efficiency, Transparency, and Accuracy: Reata’s Journey with Datanomix
  • Why Reata Added Passivation and Laser Engraving to Our In-House Capabilities
  • Reata’s Partnership with NIMS Sets the Stage for Workforce Development
  • Reata’s Approach to Data-Driven Decision-Making
  • How Our New 3D Printing Technology Increases Versatility and Customization at Our Precision Machine Shop
  • How Reata Successfully Quoted a 1,000-Piece Medical Assembly in Record Time
  • Collaboration Is Key in Contract Manufacturing
  • How Reata Standardizes Training and Streamlines Production with STS
  • Optimizing Our Outside Processing Services with In-House Masking
  • Innovative Solutions Through Partnership: Our Approach to Problem Solving
  • Great Leaders Run Great Precision Machine Shops
  • Why New Part Meetings Are a Critical Step in Our Process
  • Reata Achieves ISO 13485 Certification for Medical Device Manufacturing
  • The Door to Our Precision Machine Shop is Always Open
  • How to Approach Tight Tolerances in Complex CNC Machining
  • How Our Cutting-Edge Proactive Maintenance Program Benefits Customers
  • Machining vs. Extruding Heat Sinks: Which Option Is Better?
  • How Our Turnkey Assembly Services Benefit Customers
  • DFM Tip: Why You Should Model to the Mean, Not the Nominal
  • Our Software Increases Visibility for Contract Manufacturing Customers
  • Why We Use Pre-Processed Parts for Complex CNC Machining Jobs
  • Reduce Contract Manufacturing Costs with Extrusion
  • The Future of Contract Manufacturing Requires Your Participation
  • How 5-Axis Machining Accelerates the Prototyping Process
  • 5 Ways Reata’s Kanban Approach to Assembly Benefits Customers
  • Use DFM Principles for Superior Prototype Machining Services
  • DFM 101: 3 Reasons Reata Is a Superior DFM Partner
  • DFM 101: Getting Started with Design For Manufacturability
  • The Importance of a Complete PO in Precision Machining
  • How Reata’s Software Investments Benefit Contract Manufacturing Customers
  • How to Use Datums to Get the Part You Want
  • Celebrating Our 30th Anniversary with a Look Back at How We Got Here
  • How We’re Using AI to Improve Our Manufacturing Processes
  • Why Low-Volume, High-Mix Shops Make Great Manufacturing Partners
  • A One-Stop Shop for Complex Assembly Projects
  • How Industry 4.0 Is Transforming Our Contract Manufacturing Shop
  • How Our New Scanning CMM Improves Inspection Capabilities
  • 5 Reasons Contract Manufacturing Customers Love Reata’s Quotes
  • Reata’s Customer Service Standards as Your Contract Manufacturing Partner
  • Decoding Machinist Speak: Surface Finish vs. Finishing in Contract Machining
  • Complex CNC Machining Is Our Specialty
  • 5 Reasons to Grow Your Contract Manufacturing Career at Reata Engineering
  • What to Know About Electroless Nickel Plating Services
  • How Measuring Our Performance against Manufacturing Industry Benchmarks Keeps Us Competitive
  • How 3D Printing Technology Improves Our Contract Manufacturing Services
  • Choosing the Right Aluminum Plating Method
  • What 5-Axis Machining Capabilities Tell You about a Machine Shop
  • Decoding Machinist Speak: Measurement Conventions
  • 6 Benefits of Electropolishing for Stainless Steel Parts
  • 4 Ways Reata’s Automation Solutions Benefit Customers
  • Why True Position Is a Precision Machine Shop’s Best Friend
  • Considerations for Plating Precision Machined Parts
  • How to Convey Intent in Precision Machining Designs
  • 5 Reasons to Reshore Manufacturing Operations
  • How to Avoid Tolerance Stacking Problems When Designing Mating Parts
  • Inside Reata’s Successful Summer Internship Program
  • How Lights Out Manufacturing Benefits Precision Machining Customers
  • 5 Ways Reata Is Mitigating Manufacturing Workforce Issues for Our Customers
  • 6 Reasons to Tell Your Precision Machining Partner about Your Part’s Application
  • Could Your Complex Parts Benefit from GD&T Profile Callouts?
  • How Industry 4.0 Helps Us Meet Customer Needs
  • 5 Ways Reata Overcomes Global Manufacturing Challenges
  • DFM Tip: 4 Facts to Know About Perpendicularity
  • Can’t Find These 3 Popular Materials? Talk to Your Contract Manufacturing Partner
  • What Makes Reata Engineering an Engineer-Friendly Precision Machine Shop
  • How a Happy Manufacturing Team Makes for Happy Customers
  • DFM Tip: 5 Best Practices for Revision Control in Contract Manufacturing
  • A Single-Source Precision Machining Solution for Assemblies
  • Could Your Part Benefit From 5-Axis Machining?
  • DFM Tip: 3 Ways to Improve Your Prints and Get Better CNC Machined Parts
  • Best Practices for Achieving Color Consistency in Anodized Parts
  • DFM Tip: How to Handle Flatness and Parallelism Specifications in Your Print
  • DFM Tip: Clarify Cosmetic Surfaces to Reduce Cost and Lead Time for Contract Manufacturing
  • Best Practices for Measuring Holes in CNC Machined Parts
  • 5 Benefits of Using GD&T in Complex CNC Machining
  • DFM Tip: Best Practices for Thread Design in Complex CNC Machining
  • Low Volume Swiss Turning Services for Complex Assembly Components
  • How Reata Engineering Expertly Manufactures Titanium Medical Components
  • Creative Solutions to Sourcing Problems in Contract Manufacturing
  • CNC Machining Case Study: TITAN CSR™ Retractor System for the Medical Industry
  • How Machine Monitoring Technology Helps Productivity for Contract Manufacturing
  • To Cast or Not to Cast? 4 Reasons to Convert from Casting to Contract Machining for Low-Volume Parts
  • 5 Ways Reata Engineering Solves Material Sourcing and Supply Chain Problems
  • How Availability, Machinability, and Cost Factor Into Choosing a Stainless Steel Grade
  • Top 3 Non-Machinable Features to Avoid Designing Into Your Part
  • Reata Engineering’s Customer-Focused Approach to Design Iterations
  • Reata Engineering’s Proven Process for Manufacturing Success
  • The Advantages of Working with a Digital Machine Shop
  • 9 Ways Our Assembly Services Will Make Your Life Easier
  • What It Means for Us to Be a Customer-Focused Company
  • Why Reata Engineering Excels at Manufacturing Complex Parts
  • Why AS9100 Certification Matters (Even If You Aren’t In Aerospace Manufacturing)
  • Reata Engineering promotes Christina Collette to Director of Operations – Denver Colorado USA February 12th, 2021
  • 5 Reasons to Find a Machine Shop with Multi-Tasking Machines
  • Reata Engineering appoints new Quality Manager
  • Reata Engineering gave a virtual shop tour at RMTMA Ignite
  • Reata Engineering showcased its capabilities at the Colorado Advanced Manufacturing Association B2B conference
  • More New Capabilities
  • Reata in the News!!
  • Done in One

7822 South Wheeling Court,
Suite AEnglewood, CO 80112

(303) 936-1350

(303) 936-1350

Facebook Twitter Linkedin

Standard Terms and Conditions of Sale

Privacy Policy 

About
Careers
Services
Machining
Assembly
Partnership
Process
Blog

© All rights reserved

Designed by Factur