The short answer
Masterbatch is a color concentrate blended with natural resin at the press: cheaper and flexible, but color depends on dosing and mixing. Precolored resin arrives already the final color: more consistent and simpler to run, at a higher price per pound.
Color is one of the most common sources of rejects and customer complaints. Choosing how to color a part affects cost, consistency and how much can go wrong at the press.
Side by side
| Masterbatch | Precolored resin | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Concentrate blended with natural resin at the press | Color compounded into every pellet |
| Typical loading | 1–4% (25:1 to 100:1) | Ready to run |
| Cost per pound | Lower | Higher |
| Color consistency | Depends on feeder and mixing | Highest |
| Equipment | Needs a dosing feeder or accurate blending | None |
| Flexibility | Many colors from one natural resin | One color per grade |
| Inventory | Natural resin plus color concentrates | A grade for each color |
| Best for | High volume, several colors, a good feeder | Critical color match, approved colored grades, simple setups |
How to choose
- Tight color match or appearance parts: precolored is safer.
- Many colors, high volume, good dosing equipment: masterbatch saves money.
- UL-rated or other approved parts: check whether the approval covers natural plus masterbatch, or only a specific colored grade.
- Black and simple colors: masterbatch usually works well.
Common color problems
Streaks, swirls and lot-to-lot shade changes usually come from dosing, mixing or carrier mismatch. Check the feeder calibration and let-down ratio, raise back pressure for better mixing, and confirm the masterbatch carrier suits the base resin. See color that varies lot to lot and the let-down calculator in our molding calculators.
How we help
Custom compounding and color are available, including precolored grades matched to your color, alongside natural resins for masterbatch programs, with a COA on every lot, tested to ASTM or ISO methods. See color and compounds.
Common questions
What is the difference between masterbatch and precolored resin?
Masterbatch is a concentrated color pellet that the molder blends with natural resin at the press, usually at 1 to 4%. Precolored (compounded) resin arrives already colored, so every pellet is the final color.
Which is cheaper, masterbatch or precolored?
Masterbatch is usually cheaper per pound and lets you run many colors from one natural resin. Precolored costs more but removes blending equipment and color variation at the press.
Which gives more consistent color?
Precolored, because the color is mixed in at compounding. Masterbatch consistency depends on the feeder accuracy, mixing and back pressure at the press.
Does masterbatch affect properties?
At normal let-down ratios the effect is small, but carrier resin, high pigment loads and some pigments can change shrinkage, impact or flame rating. Approved grades, such as UL-rated parts, may require the specific colored grade.
What let-down ratio should I use?
Follow the masterbatch supplier's recommendation, commonly 25:1 to 50:1. Our molding calculators include a let-down ratio calculator.
Tell us the resin and color you need
A polymer chemist reviews every request, then matches your grade or finds a qualified equivalent and prices it.
What to send for an accurate quote
- The grade name, from any supplier, or a data sheet
- Color (natural, black or a custom match)
- Fill type and percentage, if any
- Melt flow, if you know it
- Quantity for this order and what you use in a year
- Ship-to city and state or province