Pigments and Shades

Pigments and shades for microcement

Pigments for microcement are used for tinting microcement screeds to the desired colour shade. They allow the creation of delicate natural tones, modern greys, warmer beige variants, and more pronounced decorative surfaces.

The choice of pigment affects the overall appearance of the project. For microcement, not just the colour itself matters but also the texture, hand application, lighting in the space, size of the surface, and the final protective layer.

What are pigments used for?

Colouring microcement screed

Pigment is used to colour the microcement mix before application. This means the colour is not just on the surface, like with a paint, but is part of the decorative layer itself.

Creating the desired shade

Pigments can achieve a specific shade according to the chosen system. Most commonly natural, grey, beige, sand, cement or warmer earthy tones are selected.

Unifying the look of the project

For larger projects, it is important to maintain the same shade, dosing and mixing method. This reduces differences between different parts of the surface or between subsequent batches of material.

Supplementing individual materials

Pigments make sense mainly for individually ordered microcement screeds, where the customer compiles their own system or adds a specific material in the desired shade.

How to select the right shade?

We recommend choosing the microcement shade based on the type of space, surrounding materials and lighting conditions. The colour will appear differently in a small windowless bathroom than in an open living area or an outdoor terrace.

Light shades visually enlarge the space, grey tones create a modern concrete effect, beige and sand shades feel warmer and combine well with wood. More intense shades are suitable mainly for accent surfaces.

Why isn’t choosing by photograph enough?

Photographs and screens can significantly distort the shade. The resulting colour is influenced by the type of display, lighting during photography, photo adjustments, daylight, artificial lighting and surrounding materials in the interior.

In microcement, the final look is also affected by manual application, sanding, layer thickness and the final lacquer or sealer. Therefore, it is advisable to verify the shade on a physical sample or sample board before a larger project.

What to watch out for when tinting?

Pigment must be thoroughly mixed according to the recommended procedure. Insufficient mixing can cause colour variations, streaks, blotches or an uneven appearance of the finished surface.

For larger projects, we recommend preparing the dosing in advance and keeping the same procedure for all batches. Mixing the pigment differently each time may cause differences between parts of the surface.

Pigment vs. sample board

Pigment is a material for tinting microcement. It is used to achieve the desired shade during application.

Sample board is a finished physical sample with applied microcement. It is suitable for verifying the true colour, texture and surface appearance before purchasing a larger quantity of material.

If you are unsure about the shade, do not immediately place a large order for pigment and screed. First, verify the look on a sample, ideally directly at the future project site.

Shade choice according to use

Bathrooms and showers

Light grey, beige, sand or natural shades are often selected for bathrooms. In small windowless bathrooms, dark colours may appear more intense than on the sample.

Floors and stairs

Neutral shades work well on floors, withstanding everyday wear and visually unifying the space. Very light or very dark surfaces will show dirt more clearly.

Kitchens

Choose the shade in the kitchen based on the worktop, cupboards, floor and lighting. Beige and sand shades create warmth, while grey tones support a modern minimalist look.

Exterior

Outside, shades appear differently due to sun, shadow, façade, greenery and weather. Light shades heat up less in the sun; grey and natural tones blend well with concrete, stone and garden architecture.

Most common pigment selection mistakes

The most common mistake is selecting a shade solely from a photograph without a physical sample. Other issues include inaccurate dosing, insufficient pigment mixing, or mixing different batches without checking the resulting colour.

Tinting 'by eye' is also risky. In microcement, even a small pigmentation difference can be more visible on a large surface than on a small test area.