Why Do I Need to Box My Paint?

Just to be clear, we’re not suggesting you pick a fight with a paint can or pour paint in a cardboard box. Boxing is a paint industry term that describes the process of mixing many cans of the same color together to form one color. Obviously, the next question might be why you would mix paints together when they are already the same color. Today we will discuss what boxing a paint color means and how to do it.

Why Do I Need to Box My Paint?

Boxing your paint prevents tiny variations in your paint mixture from becoming noticeable. For example, let’s say you’ve just painted your kitchen with a gallon of paint you had mixed at the paint store. However, you run out of paint 80% of the way through and need more paint. Next, you take your paint can back to the same store and purchase another gallon of the same paint mixture. 

But, when you start painting where you left off, the paints are obviously different. Why does this happen when you are using a brand’s own color? Shouldn’t they be able to reproduce their own shades?

If you read the fine print at most paint suppliers, most will be honest and confirm that although their computers are extremely good at matching colors, they cannot guarantee a perfect match from can to can. So, they recommend buying a little more than you think you will need, and pour all of the paint into a single, larger bucket. Most pros keep an extra 5 gallon bucket around for just this purpose.

Can I Box any Paint Color?

You can box any paint color with any other paint color as long as they share a medium, like oil or water. It is still important to make sure you have more than you may need when boxing paint, because you are creating a custom color. So, if you box your paint and run out again, you may find it nearly impossible to match the color. 

How Much Extra Paint Should I Buy?

Regardless of whether you are using a custom color or a color right off the shelf, always buy 5%-10% more than you think you will need. This is because although the can might say there is enough paint to cover 200 square feet of area, it does not take into account any waste. You will not be able to apply every drop of paint you purchase, so buy a little extra. If you do a great job and don’t need the extra, you’ll always have some available for repairs without making another trip to the paint store.