General information
Most Winsor & Newton paint tubes are labeled with the brand, color, pigments, and quantity of paint as well as the AP symbol, ASTM code, warning information, permanence rating, series number, and opacity symbol. Other brands have similar information, but each uses slightly different abbreviations, scales, and symbols. By contrast, student-grade paints often have no such information on their labels.
AP symbol
In the United States, most paint tubes have the AP symbol. This symbol identifies the paint as safe, meaning it is certified through a toxicological evaluation by an expert. Paints that carry the AP symbol do not contain any materials in sufficient quantities to be deemed toxic or injurious to humans. They are also not known to cause health problems. Some other paint tubes may say, “No Health Labelling Required.”
ASTM code
In the United States, the ASTM code signifies that the paint has been tested by the American Society for Testing and Materials.
Warning
If a paint contains some toxic pigments, there may be warning information. For example, it may say that it should not be used to “spray apply” because there is an inhalation risk, or it may say that it has an ingredient like cadmium that is known to cause cancer.
Permanence rating
The permanence rating measures lightfastness—how resistant to fading the paint is when exposed to light—as well as the chemical stability of the paint.
- AA = extremely permanent
- A = permanent
- B = moderately durable
- C = fugitive (less permanent or poor)
Series number
The series number ranges from 1 to 5, according to how expensive the color is due to the cost of the pigments or process of making it.
- Series 1 = least expensive
- Series 2
- Series 3
- Series 4
- Series 5 = most expensive
Opacity symbol
= opaque
= semi-opaque
= semi-transparent
= transparent
For more information on Winsor & Newton paints, visit their How to Read the Label page. For more information on health and safety labeling in the arts in the United States, see the following information sheet.