Is absolute black the same as shadow black?
No. Absolute black and shadow black are not the same concept. Absolute black refers to materials engineered to absorb nearly all visible light, while shadow black is a branding or descriptive term for very deep black pigments used in art and design. They are not interchangeable and their darkness levels, undertones, and availability differ.
In practice, the question touches on how light interacts with surfaces, how brands name ultra-dark products, and how close different products come to a theoretical ideal of “true black.” Absolute black denotes an extreme light-absorbing capability that approaches a physical limit, whereas shadow black is a market label for deep blacks that may vary in shade and performance depending on the medium and brand.
What makes absolute black different?
Scientific idea
Absolute black, in theory, would reflect zero light. In reality, no material achieves perfect absorption across the entire visible spectrum. Researchers and manufacturers create surfaces and coatings that trap or absorb light very effectively—often using nanostructures or specialized pigments—to produce surfaces that look exceptionally dark under typical lighting conditions.
Real-world examples
One of the most famous ultra-dark options is Vantablack, a coating made with vertically aligned carbon nanotubes that absorbs a vast majority of visible light. Access to Vantablack for art is restricted by licensing. In the consumer arts market, paints marketed as ultra-dark—such as early iterations like “Black 2.0” and later developments—are advertised as some of the darkest available to non-commercial users, but they do not reach the darkness of Vantablack.
Before you buy, keep in mind: the exact darkness depends on viewing angle, lighting, substrate, and the particular product formulation. These ultra-dark options serve different purposes—from scientific applications to gallery pieces—and come with varying terms of use.
- Vantablack (and similar coatings) offer extreme light absorption, with access often restricted by licensing agreements.
- Ultra-dark paints marketed for artists provide very deep blacks available to the public, though they are not as dark as Vantablack and vary by brand.
In practical terms, absolute black is an engineering benchmark rather than a simple color name, and everyday products achieve varying degrees of darkness that can resemble absolute black under specific conditions.
What is shadow black?
Shadow black is a term used by brands and retailers to describe a very deep black pigment or dye. It is not a standardized scientific category and does not imply the same extreme darkness as absolute black materials. The exact shade and undertone of shadow black can differ by brand, binder, and medium.
Key points about shadow black include: it’s common in paints, inks, and digital palettes; it can carry warm or cool undertones depending on the pigment mix; and it is generally more accessible and affordable than ultra-dark absorber materials.
- Shadow black is typically a consumer-friendly label for a deep black pigment or blend; results vary by product.
- Compared to absolute black, shadow black usually has higher reflectance and less specialized light-absorbing properties.
Thus, shadow black and absolute black occupy distinct places in the color-technology landscape and should not be treated as the same thing.
Summary
Absolute black represents materials engineered to absorb almost all visible light, approaching a theoretical zero-reflectance condition. Vantablack is the most famous example, though access is restricted by licensing. Shadow black, by contrast, is a brand- or descriptor-based term for very deep blacks used in art and design; it is not standardized and does not denote the same level of light absorption as absolute black. For practical work, consider the lighting, substrate, and exact reflectance behavior of the chosen product rather than assuming one term equals the other.
What color is shadow black?
Shadow Black is the Deep, Rich, Dark Satin Black they everyone has been asking for. Perfect Satin Sheen.
What color is absolute black?
"Absolute black color" can refer to a trademarked artist's acrylic paint or a standard black color code used in automotive paints. However, it is not to be confused with "the blackest black," a term for materials like Vantablack, which are not traditional pigments but lab-grown substances that absorb nearly 100% of light, not just 99%.
Absolute Black Paint
- Fleur Absolute Black: This is a mineral-based, water-based acrylic paint that absorbs up to 99% of light, creating a deep matte finish.
- It is designed to be self-leveling, so it can be applied without leaving brush strokes.
- It is suitable for use on various surfaces, including canvas, wood, and paper.
- Automotive "Absolute Black": In automotive contexts, "Absolute Black" is a paint code for a deep black color, for example, with a Ford compatibility code of G1.
The Blackest Black (e.g., Vantablack)
- Not a paint, but a material: Unlike "Absolute Black," this is a lab-grown substance made of carbon nanotubes that cannot be used as a traditional paint.
- Absorbs nearly all light: Vantablack absorbs up to 99.965% of visible light. Other materials, like an MIT-developed one, absorb even more (99.995%).
- Appearance: When a surface is coated in this material, the human eye cannot discern its three-dimensional shape and it appears flat and featureless.
- Usage: Due to its unique light-absorbing properties, it is used in scientific instruments, space applications, and high-end luxury products.
What paint code is Ford Shadow black?
The Ford paint code for Shadow Black is G1. This code is also sometimes associated with other identifiers like M7343A. You can find the paint code on the sticker located on the driver's side door jamb.
- Primary paint code: G1
- Associated codes: M7343A
- How to find your code: Open the driver's door and look for the VIN sticker on the door jamb. The paint code is typically listed to the right of "ext" or as a "P code".
Is Ford Shadow black the same as Absolute Black?
COLOUR NAME: SHADOW BLACK / ABSOLUTE BLACK
– Pumped into our own aerosols providing HVLP style atomisation, very little overspray and constant pressure.
