Have you ever painted a room with a special tint only to find a year later that it’s in need of a touch-up? You could have a hypnotist put you under so you could remember that the color is Prussian Blue Cream, or you could do what I do.
I take the paint chip that I used to pick out the color, and I place it behind the light-switch cover. If I ever have to touch up the paint in that room, it doesn’t matter if I can’t remember the color. I just remove the lightswitch cover and retrieve the paint chip.
Jeremiah Schwenger, Egg Harbor City, NJ
Edited by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #245
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On the top of the lid (or the side) the paint shop will likely have put a label with all the pertinent information. Take a picture of it with your smartphone and file it in an appropriate location on the phone. You are more likely to have that with you when you are out shopping.
This is an important issue, for the painter and for the homeowner. From the standpoint of me as a DIY homeowner, I scan in invoices that show the exact brand and color and texture; or I otherwise preserve the data electronically (as user-3842964 does).
Generally, upon completion of the job, there is paint left over. I label these containers by location (kitchen, den, etc.) and seal them up carefully. That way there is a good chance that I’ll be able to do the touch-up without making a trip to the paint store.
If you are a painting contractor, keeping records and turning leftovers over to the homeowner when the job is complete would seem to be a services that differentiate you from the competition and get return business.
I like the above, probably easier than what I do (but I started before smartphones were a thing). When I buy the paint I ask them to print an extra sticker (they may look at me oddly, but they have always done it). When I paint the room or exterior, I take an extra scrap of wood or drywall and paint it at the same time. Once it dries I put on the sticker, and write where/when it was painted with sharpie, and leave it in the utility room. If I need to match the paint I just grab the stick and go to the store - they can either scan the barcode from the sticker, or do a color match.