Clay Plaster Color Matches in the NCS Color Palette: What You Need to Know?

When choosing wall finishes, more and more people are discovering clay plaster – a natural, breathable, aesthetic, and cozy material that not only decorates the interior but also improves the room’s microclimate. However, when planning a design, the question often arises: does the clay plaster color palette match the colors in the NCS color palette?

In this post, we will explain what clay plaster color “matches” mean in the NCS system and why it is important to understand that these are only close color tones, not exact matches.

What is the NCS Color System?

NCS (Natural Color System) is a widely used color system based on human color perception. It is often applied in architecture, interior design, construction, paint production, and other fields. NCS codes help designers and clients speak the “same color language” and make joint interior decisions.

However, it is important to understand that the NCS system is mainly applied to industrial paints, not natural materials such as clay plaster.

Why Clay Plaster Colors Cannot Exactly Match NCS?

Clay plaster is a natural product, and its color is determined by:

- natural composition;

- mineral pigments;

- varying raw material origin;

- manual or semi-manual production process;

- surface texture and lighting;

For these reasons, it is impossible to achieve a 100% identical match to an NCS color. Even if the clay plaster color visually closely resembles a specific NCS code, in a real interior it may appear warmer, cooler, deeper, or “more alive.”

Therefore, NCS matches for clay plaster are only indicative.

What Does “Close to NCS Color Tone” Mean?

When we indicate that a certain clay plaster color has an NCS match, it means that:

- the color tone and direction (e.g., yellowish, reddish, grayish) are similar;

- the color visually resembles a specific NCS code;

- it can be used as a guideline when planning an interior or coordinating with other materials;

However:- colors are not and will not be completely identical;
- different lighting can significantly change the final appearance;

Why It Is Still Worth Using the NCS Palette?

Even though the match is not exact, the NCS color palette is very useful:

- it helps communicate more easily with designers and architects;

- it allows coordinating clay plaster with painted surfaces, furniture, or other finishing materials;

- it provides a clearer understanding of the color “family” to which a particular clay plaster shade belongs;

It is a great guideline, but not the final decision criterion.

Why We Recommend Choosing Clay Plaster Samples

Before purchasing clay plaster, we recommend:

- ordering clay plaster color samples or a palette;

- evaluating the color in daylight and artificial lighting;

- comparing the sample with floors, furniture, and other interior details;

Only a real sample shows how the color will look in your space.

If you want to find out the NCS code for clay plaster, please download this file. We scanned all colors with NCS scanners and created tables where you can see the NCS code for the selected clay plaster color. Please note that the color of the clay plaster will not be identical to the NCS code, but only a similar shade.