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The Federal Standard color system, officially the Federal Standard 595C – “Colors Used in Government Procurement”, is a United States Federal Standard for colors.

The standard is also widely referred to as FED-STD-595 or FS-595.

Federal Standard 595 is the color description and communication system developed in 1956 by the United States government.

Each color in the Federal Standard 595 range is identified by a five-digit code.

The colors in the standard have no official names, just numbers.

The First Number can be 1,2 or 3 and indicates the level of sheen:

1 - Gloss
2 - Semi-Gloss
3 - Flat / Lusterless
 
The Second Number of the code shows a general color classification group:
 
0 - Brown
1 - Red
2 - Orange
3 - Yellow
4 - Green
5 - Blue
6 - Grey
7 - Other (White, Black, Violet, Metallic)
8 - Fluorescent
 
For example, a Black Color Chip referenced could read:
 
17038 (Gloss Black)
27038 (Semi-Gloss Black)
37038 (Flat / Lusterless Black)
 
Please ensure your FED-STD-595C Color Number prior to placing your order.
 
Feel free to contact us here with any questions pertaining to FED-STD-595.
 
Thank you!
 
Superior Coatings of America