färgnamngivning

färgnamngivning is the systematic assignment of names to colours for the purpose of identification, communication and standardisation. The practice has its origins in early pigment catalogues but has evolved into a formal discipline that intersects colour science, linguistics and commerce. In Scandinavia, the term has gained particular prominence within the Swedish Colour Naming System developed in the early 2000s, which uses a combination of base colour, saturation and a numerical tone code to produce uniquely identifiable designations.

The process typically starts with selecting a reference palette, such as the Munsell or Kurmann scales, and measuring spectral reflectance or transmittance data with instruments like spectrophotometers. These data are then mapped onto a perceptual colour space (CIELAB or CIELUV), allowing colourists to assign descriptive names based on hue, value and chroma. Later, digital colour libraries such as Pantone or RAL adopt similar coding schemes but often incorporate marketing considerations to aid brand consistency across a range of media.

färgnamngivning remains essential in industries that rely on visual precision, including textile manufacturing, automotive paint, paint and coatings, digital imaging and web design. By providing a common linguistic framework, it helps reduce ambiguity when specifying shades for production, quality control or patent documentation. The discipline also supports accessibility initiatives, enabling colour naming tools that assist colour‑blind users in distinguishing hues.