Paint Tinting Colorants

Why buy from us

We give you a custom dispensing cap with every 16oz bottle, included for free. Shipped from Austin, Texas with free shipping over $99, often same or next day. We also have the lowest prices!

Our colorant lines

ProTint Universal Paint Colorant: Our own water-based architectural colorant line, available in 12 colors (now including white!). ProTint is compatible with latex, acrylic, and water-based coatings, and comes in squeezable 16oz bottles. ProTint is the best choice for shops and studios that primarily work in water-based systems and want professional-grade colorant at a competitive price.

Cal-Tint II Universal Paint Tints: The industry-standard for 20+ years. Cal-Tint is a universal colorant now made by Vibrantz. Cal-Tint II is compatible with virtually all coating types. Oil-based, latex, lacquer, etc making it the go-to for individuals or shops that work across multiple finish systems. Available in individual 16oz bottles and as a 12-color starter set with rack.

Colortrend (Vibrantz) 888 and 808: High strength machine colorants used by professionals in stores and factories. Contact us for pricing and access to purchase.

Need bulk volume pricing? We offer wholesale pricing for studios, shops, and production teams buying in quantity. Contact us for a quote.

If you want to learn more about how tint systems work, these guides may help:

• Paint Tinting Pros, Cons, and Tips
• The Power of Cal-Tint Colorants
• Why Some Paint Colors Are Hard to Match

Paint Tint FAQ

What are paint tinting colorants?

Paint tinting colorants are concentrated pigments used to create accurate, repeatable colors in a wide range of coatings. They're essential supplies for furniture refinishers, scenic painters, theater and film production shops, theme park fabricators, and anyone who needs precise color control beyond what off-the-shelf paint offers.

What is a "tint base"?

Tinted paint is any paint that has had colorant added to it. An example of a "tint base" is the gallon of paint before any color has been added to it. Ultimately, any product made to accept colorant is considered a tint base. Light bases (often called pastel/white) are for "softer" colors, and typically contain some amount of white already in them. Deep bases (often called medium, deep, or accent) have less or sometimes no white, so they can accept a higher tint load to reach deeper colors.

Can I tint my own paint?

Absolutely. Start with a small amount, mix thoroughly, and brush out a test swatch. Let the swatch dry before you judge it. Track how much you added by drop (for approximate) or weight (for more exact). Write down how much you added so you can repeat the color. Every base has a limit to how much colorant it can hold, so add slowly. Our step-by-step guide to tinting paint walks through the whole process.

Which tint should I use for latex or oil-based paint?

• Latex, acrylic, and other water based bases: either line works. ProTint is made for water bases only.
• Oil based/alkyd paint, lacquer, stain: use Cal-Tint II. It's a universal colorant, so it works in both water based and solvent based products.

Is there a color guide?

Yes. The Cal-Tint color chart shows all 16 colors. Each ProTint color has its own page with uses and mixing tips. Computer and phone screens can't show colorant accurately, so test a small batch first.

Is paint tint the same as paint dye?

No! People often search for "paint dye" but what you really want is paint colorant/tint. Tints are made from pigments (larger particles) made to stay suspended and resist fading. Dyes dissolve (smaller particles) and are both more transparent and susceptible to fading. Dyes like food coloring and fabric dye won't mix properly into paint.