A repeat order for a colour mixed by eye

Matching a colour is skilled work. Reproducing it three months later, for a customer who needs two more litres, depends entirely on whether the formula was written down.

The repeat is the profitable order

The first mix carries the matching effort. The repeat should be trivial and is instead a second matching exercise, often against a sample that has itself aged.

Base and batch matter too

The same formula on a different base or batch does not give the same result. Recording the formula alone is better than nothing and still leaves the repeat uncertain.