Organization 101: Color Swatch Charts

 
We're back with more tips to help keep your craft space as neat and tidy as possible!  (Assuming you're into that sort of thing, ha!)

In addition to the convenient Ink Pad Label Sheets that we offer on rangerink.com, we also offer free Color Swatch Charts to download and print!  What is a Color Swatch Chart, you ask?

It's a convenient way to display your inks/paints/Stickles/etc for a quick color reference!  We all know that sometimes inks and paints can dry to a slightly different color than you'd expect by looking at them in the bottle, so having actual samples of your colors can be extremely helpful.  And they look so pretty to boot!

To view and print the PDFs you will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. When printing, be sure to set your printer settings to "Shrink to Printable Area" so the edges of the document aren't cut off:

 

Then just apply your colors within the grids and display 'em on a bulletin board or on your studio wall!

Color Swatch Charts are currently available for Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabbers, Distress Inks, Distress Stickles, the new Liquid Pearls collection, and Stickles.  We are making new ones often, so check back to see if your favorite product line is featured!

Do you organize your crafting products by color?  If so, what method do you use to keep them organized?

Comments

[Sandra]

I keep all colors of the same family near each other - of course I use the Ranger sheets for reference.
Sandra

[Tran Quach]

That is exactly what I have made in the past. It prevents me from buying double... but I do anyways :-P

[Linda van Vliet]

I made inchies colored with distress colors into a color swatch chart. And I have my distress inks sorted by color in stacks. It is indeed lovely to see all the colors neatly in a row!

[MichelleG]

I love that you did these for your customers! Great time savers (and money savers!)

[CherylT]

I recommend printing these charts on color cardstock too. Distress Inks will look different on different colored cardstock, so it is good to sample it that way. Thanks for the help!

[Cristina]

These are very cool! Thanks for making them!

[RangerInk]

@CherylT - great tip!

[SuZeQ]

Yessiree, Ranger Bubba ... I sure do arrange by color starting with white and ending with black. We're a team, us two!

[Lynn Barwald]

Good morning, Ranger! Thanks for these printable sheets.. they really are helpful and such a nice thing for you to share with us. I have to admit, I'm not quite organized enough to store things by color though. I have way too many inkpads and such and use them constantly. But, I definitely do try to keep track of what I have so I don't keep buying duplicates and this is an awesome way to do it. Thanks again! Lynn B

[sue wisniewski]

thank you for the color swatch sheets. I printed off the ones I needed. stamping sue

[susan]

Thank you for the great tip and download. I use to make rough swatches, but your sheet is much nicer.

As far a organizing my craft products, I do tend to put like items together and when possible, I then separate by color. However, most of the time, everything eventually ends mixed up. I need to work on this area. LOL!

[Anne Temple]

I keep them in color families and used a Sharpie to write the names of the sides of the ink pads. Your printable version is much better. Thanks!

[Anita A]

These are awesome. Thanks!

[DeannaC]

More great ideas. Thanks for helping us all keep organized!

[kimmiek]

Michele G!
Great tip.. Printing these out on cardstock.. it WILL make all the difference.. :)Thanks! Great Tip for you to have shared!! Kimmiek

[Lisa M]

I labeled my Distress Inks a few days ago, using your suggestion to put a swipe of color on the label, and already have noticed that I reach for them more often. I also appreciate the Stickles color chart; I now realize that there are 14 colors I still don't have (OMG, how did THAT happen?!), and I've used the chart at least four times already to pick out the perfect color for my projects. Who knew these could be so useful?! Thank you!

[{vicki}]

I don't have alot of inks so they are all stored in a plastic bin from the dollar store

[Elizabeth C.]

Thank you for mentioning that you have these! When you highlighted the Distress Ink pad labels the other day, I got those on within 24 hours, and it's been quite helpful.

[Suzanne Bouchard]

I just love these charts. They are not only helpfull but they are beautifull to look at. thanks

[tara capewell from Oz]

how great r these charts! i nned them for everything! i have so much ranger stuff i sometimes buy a color i already have at a craft show. i am going to shrink the sheets down and make a handbag size for me to take to craft shows!!!

[kristie taylor]

I WISH!!! I start out organized , but always end up just putting stuff in "its place" usually.
I have a paint rack, and a drawer for distress ink and a shelf for all other inks,
but not by color, although,, thanks to you I now have labels for my distress inks which is very helpful!

[Amy Jackson]

I finally realized that I use my "Ranger's" by color more often than by type of product...so I took the plunge and reorganized! I bought some of those stackable storage containers (2 to a stack)and labeled each compartment with 3 colors i.e. aged mahongany, fired brick, and barn door etc... and then put all of those products together. So...now I have stickles, ink pad, crackle paint, re-inker and embossing powder for each color all together. And let me tell you...it's AWESOME! It has literally changed my creative process...

[Pam]

these are awesome! Off to print some out....

[Deb S]

I never thought of the idea of organizing but color but I sure like it. Some great ideas here. I organize by product type, ie Stickles, dabbers, etc. Thanks for the PDF downloads

[Lynn Barwald]

Good morning, Ranger! Just checking in.. thanks again for the great sheets and great ideas! Lynn B