Why We Default to Custom Color: So Your Collection Has Its Own Character
Nextouch stocks standard market colors — but our preference is always custom. Not a business decision. A design one.
Every year, hundreds of furniture brands around the world order from the same suppliers. They select from the same color catalogues. They ship to the same markets. And the result: showrooms that look increasingly alike.
Buyers end up comparing prices, not quality. That is not a position you want to be in.
At Nextouch, we carry standard market colors. They are in our catalogue, stock is available, and lead times are faster. But if you ask our preference? We will always recommend custom color.
Not to make your process harder. But because we believe every buyer deserves material that cannot be immediately replicated by their competitors.
What "Standard Market Colors" Actually Means
Standard colors are palettes developed by suppliers based on global trends — typically following international furniture color forecasts like the Pantone Furniture Color Forecast, the most popular orders from large buyers, and what the industry orders most.
The result: these colors are popular. But because they are popular, they are also in other suppliers' products, other brands' collections, and nearly every catalogue you will find at international furniture fairs or on Alibaba.
When you use standard colors, you share a visual identity with hundreds of other brands using the same materials.
How Custom Color Works at Nextouch
Our custom color process starts from a color reference you provide — a Pantone code, a physical sample, a fabric swatch, or even a photo with the mood you are targeting.
Our compound team then formulates a pigment concentrate that is blended directly into the raw polymer material during extrusion. This means: color runs through the entire material, not just the surface. It will not peel. It will not fade unevenly.
The process:
- Color Reference — You provide a target color in any format
- Lab Mix — We formulate a pigment compound and produce a small batch sample
- Matching Approval — You approve the sample before full production begins
- Exclusive Production — The formula is stored as yours; it will not be used for other buyers without your consent
- Repeat Orders — Subsequent batches use the same formula; consistency maintained
How Precise Is the Color Matching?
Polymer color matching is science, not art. With computer-aided color matching systems and tight production controls, we achieve Delta-E < 1.5 on most formulations — which in the industry is considered a "virtual match," indistinguishable to the human eye.
For certain colors — neons, metallics, very high-saturation tones — tolerances may be slightly wider, and we will be transparent about that before the process begins.
Is There a Minimum Order for Custom Color?
Yes. Custom color requires a compound batch setup that has a minimum production volume to keep the cost per meter competitive. For MOQ and lead time specifics, contact our team — we will size it to your scale and order frequency.
For repeat orders, MOQ is typically lower because the formula already exists.
What You Get That You Cannot Buy from a Catalogue
When you own an exclusive color formula, you own something your competitors cannot simply copy. They can buy synthetic rattan. They can replicate a design. But they cannot have your exact color without going through the same matching process.
In premium furniture, details like this build brand equity over time. Your buyers will not find the same shade at the brand next to you at the trade show. That is the value.
Start Exploring Your Color
If you already have a color reference — a Pantone code, photo, or swatch — send it to our team. We will evaluate feasibility and estimate formulation costs with no commitment required.
If you are not sure yet what color you want, we can also help with a color direction consultation based on your target market and product segment.