I am just curious as to how many make their own colour swatches? I dab paint on pieces of pre cut cardboard and write the brand and paint names on it. I have heard of some fellows would paint the top of the bottle cap but wouldn't repetitive handling of the paint bottle cap dirty the paint sample?

I use dropper bottles. When I mix a new color, I touch the cap to the paint. Normally, this area is never touched. However, you can dip it, in the mix again for a undisturbed color swatch.

This is my goal for the year. I have just ordered 500 custom business cards online, with a 2" square, and lines to enter brand, code, description.

I'm going to make a template mask from 20 thou styrene to slot the card into so it lines up with the square area to let let me spray the colour in question.

I'll then file them in a folder, by paint manufacturer.

I would, if I was mixing custom colors, and I would use Matthew's method.

I use index card which I spray paint with auto grey primer to seal the surface as some model paints soak into the card and leave a different finish.

I've got a small notebook that I write down the mix and then paint a one inch square of it for visual reference. I've also got a couple of pages where I've painted in all of my greys/greens so I can compare which is best for the job I'm working on. I find it really helpful.

I airbrush both purchased paints and mixes on photo paper cut to visit card size (you get three swatches out of one 10x15 photo paper) but lately I am startin to use plastic card 0,5 mm (the thinner the cheaper) cut to same size primed with grey, as the new AK real colors somehow did not like the photo paper as Tamiya (similar) does, refusing to reach a regular coverage.
This size is great for any box storage for such visit or register cards.
I prefer to airbrush since I think it is quite difficult to reach a good level coverage with brushed acrylics.

I do color swatches on plasticard.
First I paint three stripes with primer (gray, white, black) and than I spray the colors and make a notice of the color number.



cheers
Walter

I try to do the same but I'm not always consistent. If I finished more models and built only one country's machines I would try more record keeping. I even bought a water color notebook to do this.
Take care,
Don "Lakota"

I only make IDF vehicles and in a bid to try and find the perfect and ever elusive IDF sinai grey colour(!) I've sprayed various manufacturers versions onto primed plasticard strips, labelled them up and then put a small bolt through them to keep them all together.

When i have a reference photo of a specific vehicle i can then try and match the paint..

I instantly thought of these ..how beuticians keep track of every nail polish
about £1.00 - £1.99
and never pay for plastic business cards...every company website sends free samples. I collect them for spare plasticard shims and small sheet.

I'll be honest, I don't see the point. Only because there is so many variables in regards to how these woukd look on a finished model.

From the type of plastic, to the colour of the undercoat. Plus once its been highlighted / shaded, faded and weathered surley the colour will take on different hues and tonal variations.