The colors don’t translate well in the photos I posted, but I hope the difference shows. I did not edit the photos in any way.

Did you use the same brand of paint as the samples?

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Cat_ky, yes. We used SW for the SW color and BM for the BM color. I suspect it may be due to the finish. The Samplize samples do not indicate the finish, but both samples have a slight sheen to them. We used flat paint on the walls, which I’m now reading can have a chalky effect (though I’m getting conflicting info on this).

This is the reason I don't recommend Samplize or buying pre-painted sample boards.

Where, what, how, when did they buy the paint they're using to make their product? Calibrating tinting systems matters.

The US is one of only a few countries that uses the Imperial system. Imperial formulas vs. metric makes a difference. That's why Benjamin Moore has Canadian fandecks and colors that we can not get in the US. This is why you can not get Ellen Kennon Full Spectrum Paint in Canada.

What color critical quality control measures are built into their process? What color standards are they following to verify a color match?

I cannot tell you how many people have purchased hand-painted boards or decals and emailed me looking for answers as to why the actual paint on their walls didn't match.

The large color chips that designers can order directly from paint manufacturers - for free - are the most accurate because there is a system to check color accuracy. Paint chips have to meet some of the most stringent color standards there are; they have to match the original target under at least 3 light sources but are tested under 5, etc.

There really aren't any short cuts when it comes to color.

Buy your color samples from the same store you're going to buy gallons. The only way to know for sure what your color looks like in advance is to buy a quart in the grade and sheen you intend to use.

Using a framework of hue, value, chroma and LRV color notations to zero in on the right colors and inform what color samples to buy is the way to avoid collecting a bunch of samples that are all the wrong color.

Sheen has a huge impact on color. This is why we so often recommend that someone choose one white and paint the walls and trim 2 different sheens. It will appear lighter on the trim and cabinets than the flatter wall sheen.

The other thing that impacts the look of a color is the texture it is painted on. I often recommend using heavy weight watercolor paper to create samples because it more closely resembles the texture of a wall than a smooth piece of paper or foam core or the Samplize samples. I have also often used an old piece of primed drywall to test my colors, especially taupes and whites . Both are sensitive to texture variations.

Spraying paint and rolling paint also changes the color, sprayed paint dries faster and that generally makes the paint lighter.

I always buy a quart of the exact paint in the sheen that I am going to buy in gallon size and paint a portion of a wall in the color before buying gallons.

I know this doesn't help after the fact.

Out of curiosity I would go to Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore and ask them to do a scan of each of the two samplize samples and pull the gallon formula to compare to the actual formula on the gallons you purchased. Is it the same as the formula that you have on the gallons of paint that you purchased? You will know then that it is or is not a color match issue, but a sheen or texture issue.

I cannot see the what the color is on the SW sample, but I can see that the second sample is Edgecomb Gray. This color is a taupe and does have some pink undertones. On a textured surface when the light is catching the texture and causing the highlights and shadows those undertones can be more pronounced.

Just an FYI - I don't recommend flat paint for walls - it simply isn't as durable as something with a slight sheen like an eggshell finish.

Do you plan on re-painting? If so, we may be able to help you find a similar color that will hit the mark.

I would be livid! That's your good money gone to waste! I never did get samplize but almost did. Instead I hired a local designer that came to the house and helped me with colors. She was recommended by the Benjamin Moore store. The original color on the wall was a flat off-white. It looked drab and dingy. Going with eggshell is a better route, if you decide to repaint. Good luck to you! I hope you get what you are looking for.

Be very careful with Samplize it pulled the paint off my wall. Only use if you are sure you're going to paint right away. I reported this to Samplize customer service and have not heard back in a week.

it pulled the paint off my wall.

It's actually good to know that there is an adhesion problem with the current coat of paint. If it didn't come off with the Samplize, it's very possible it would have come off when you rolled over it with wet paint.

Would be a good idea to have a pro painter check it out and do the proper prep for the new color.

The same thing judt happened to me the colors are completely different. im actually going to color match the samplize bc that is the color i liked. samplize color on the top and the bottom color is the color in benjamin moore. clearly dont match. same color for both - BM northern cliffs

I've used Samplize on four rooms and they all matched one another. However light colors, like grays and whites, might be problematic to match. The colors match perfectly and they were coral, green, purple, and beige. I found Samplize to be very helpful. I've never put them directly on my wall, always using painter's tape.