What Matthews Paint does

Matthews Paint is a specialty manufacturer of acrylic polyurethane sign paint, founded in 1935 and currently operating as a wholly-owned brand within PPG Industries' Refinish division. The company's core offering is the Matthews Paint Intermix System, anchored by the MAP (Matthews Acrylic Polyurethane) product line, available in standard, MAP-LV (Low VOC), and Ultra Low VOC variants compliant with NESHAP 6H and EPA 6H Rule. The full system includes 2.1 Epoxy Primers, topcoats, clearcoats (including graffiti-resistant options), hardeners, catalysts, additives, reducers, and cleaners, delivered in 100,000+ colors including metallics and pearls across multiple gloss levels. Sub-brands 1 Shot (oil-based lettering enamels, since 1948) and Lacryl (air-dry acrylic lacquer for plastic and polycarbonate signs) broaden coverage across adjacent sign-coating niches.

The supporting technology stack comprises color-management tooling rather than a software platform: the MPC Online Formula Retrieval web tool, the Matthews Color Tool App (PANTONE cross-reference on mobile), Spectrum of Color fan decks with CMYK/RGB values, and the HueGenie handheld color measurement device paired with a cloud-lookup app. Swatch libraries are published for Adobe, Corel, and Flexi design environments to embed Matthews colors in designer workflows. There are no disclosed APIs, AI/ML capabilities, or developer SDKs.

Commercially, Matthews Paint sells exclusively through PPG Refinish's North American distributor network of more than 2,500 independent resellers — there is no direct-to-consumer channel. Customer service runs via phone (1.800.323.6593) and email ([email protected]). Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is quote-based through distributors. End customers include architectural signage, commercial signage, amusement parks/entertainment venues, and other demanding outdoor applications, with users being specifiers such as designers, architects, and fabricators. Headcount is small (11-50 employees) and the brand's revenue is not separately reported within PPG's consolidated financials.

Name

Matthews Paint

Legal name

Matthews Paint

Website

https://matthewspaint.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Matthews Paint is a specialty manufacturer of acrylic polyurethane sign paint, founded in 1935 and operated as a brand within PPG Industries' Refinish division, serving architectural, commercial, amusement, and outdoor signage applications across North America through PPG's 2,500+ distributor network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Sign Coatings

NAICS

Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551)

SIC

Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)

akta.pro primary industry

Acrylics & Methacrylates (PMMA, Acrylic Resins) (IMAEANAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Color Masterbatches & Dispersions (IMAEAHAK)

Keywords

• Acrylic polyurethane coatings
• Sign paint manufacturing
• Architectural coatings
• Lettering enamels
• Exterior signage paint

Headquarters

HQ city

Delaware

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Paint and Coating Products: Sale of acrylic polyurethane sign paints including primers, topcoats, clearcoats, hardeners, catalysts, additives, reducers, and cleaners. Products sold in various gloss levels across more than 100,000 colors including metallics and pearls.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Matthews Paint manufactures acrylic polyurethane sign paint for architectural, commercial, amusement, and outdoor signage applications, organized around the Matthews Paint Intermix System with over 100,000 color formulas including metallics and pearls. The portfolio spans primers and surfacers, topcoats, clearcoats (including graffiti-resistant options), hardeners, catalysts, additives, reducers, and ancillaries, plus sub-brands 1 Shot lettering enamels and Lacryl air-dry acrylic lacquer. Supporting digital tools include MPC Online Formula Retrieval, the HueGenie handheld color measurement device, Matthews Color Tool App, and Spectrum of Color fan decks, with products distributed exclusively through PPG Refinish's network of 2,500+ independent distributors across North America.

Product overview

Matthews Paint is a leading manufacturer of acrylic polyurethane sign paint (operating since 1935) that provides long-lasting, durable solutions for architectural, commercial, amusement, and outdoor applications. The product portfolio is organized around the Matthews Paint Intermix System, which includes the MAP (Matthews Acrylic Polyurethane) product line available in standard, Low VOC, and Ultra Low VOC formulations. The system encompasses primers and surfaceers (2.1 Epoxy Primers, Brilliant White Primer, Rust Inhibiting Epoxies), topcoats and clearcoats (including graffiti-resistant options), hardeners and catalysts, additives, reducers, and ancillaries. Supporting tools include the MPC Color Tools suite with online formula retrieval for over 100,000 colors, and the HueGenie handheld color measurement device. The brand also includes sub-brands 1 Shot (lettering enamels since 1948) and Lacryl (air-dry acrylic lacquer). All products are available in a range of gloss levels and more than 100,000 colors, including metallics and pearls.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 1 Shot: A benchmark in lettering enamels since 1948, 1 Shot is the brand preferred by sign and graphics professionals. As the name suggests, 1 Shot oil-based enamels provide robust coverage in a single stroke. The results are a durable, vibrant gloss finish with clean, sharp edges.
• Lacryl
• EZ Spray

Products and services

• Matthews Paint Intermix System A comprehensive acrylic polyurethane paint system for sign and outdoor applications, providing access to over 100,000 color formulas through the MPC Online Formula Retrieval tool. Formulated since 1935 for extreme demands of architectural, commercial, amusement and outdoor applications. Sold through PPG Refinish's network of 2,500+ independent distributors across North America.
• MAP (Matthews Acrylic Polyurethane) Core acrylic polyurethane product line delivering superior durability and vibrant, long-lasting color for sign and outdoor applications. Available in various gloss levels including MAP-LV (Low VOC) and MAP Ultra Low VOC variants. Formulated to meet environmental compliance requirements including NESHAP 6H and EPA 6H Rule standards.
• 2.1 Epoxy Primers Epoxy primer products for surface preparation in the Matthews Paint system, including 2.1 Gray Epoxy Primer, 2.1 White Epoxy Primer, 2.1 Black Epoxy Primer, Brilliant White Primer, Low VOC Tie Bond Adhesive, Low VOC Spray Bond, Rust Inhibiting Black Epoxy, and Rust Inhibiting White Epoxy, with corresponding hardeners.
• Clear Coats Clearcoat products including VOC Satin Clear, VOC Gloss Clear, Super Satin Clear, and graffiti-resistant clear coats offering UV protection and barrier against damage, abrasion, and graffiti for finished signs.
• EZ Spray Spray application system for field repair, preparation, priming and painting of signs. Available in standard and Low VOC formulations for on-site applicators.
• 1 Shot Lettering enamel sub-brand for sign and graphics professionals. Oil-based enamels provide robust coverage in a single stroke with durable, vibrant gloss finish and clean, sharp edges, preferred by sign and graphics professionals for hand lettering.
• Lacryl Air-dry acrylic lacquer delivering durable, fade-resistant color for use on plastic, polycarbonate, and acrylic signs.
• HueGenie Portable handheld color measurement device that captures surface color information, retrieves color matches from a cloud database, and reports results via a mobile app on the registered user's device.
• MPC Color Tools Suite of color tools including MPC Online Formula Retrieval, Spectrum of Color fan decks, Color Selector, SOC Chip Search, Matthews Color Tool App, and Color Panel Services for designers and fabricators.
• Spectrum of Color Color selection fan deck system enabling designers to evaluate color choices with access to CMYK and RGB values, part of the Matthews Paint color matching ecosystem.

Quantifiable outcome

• Long-lasting and durable solutions maintaining bold, bright signage for maximum impact

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• PPG Industries (Parent Company)coreOthersMatthews Paint is a brand under PPG Refinish, a division of PPG Industries. Matthews Paint has been operating as part of PPG since its acquisition, leveraging PPG's distribution network of 2,500+ distributors across North America.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• RPM International (Rust-Oleum): Specialty coatings holding company whose Rust-Oleum and other subsidiaries produce protective, decorative, and specialty coatings. Comparable in addressing niche professional paint segments similar to Matthews' specialty architectural/sign coatings position.
• Axalta Coating Systems: Global coatings company focused on refinish and industrial coatings. Direct overlap with PPG's Refinish division (Matthews' parent), serving similar automotive refinish and industrial customers through comparable distribution models.
• Hempel: Global coatings manufacturer serving protective, marine, container, and decorative markets. Comparable in industrial coatings manufacturing scale and global distribution reach, though Matthews' sign-paint niche is narrower than Hempel's core segments.
• AkzoNobel: Global paints and coatings major with strong positions in decorative paints, industrial coatings, and specialty finishes. Overlaps with Matthews in industrial and architectural coatings segments and competes broadly for signmaker and refinish customers worldwide.
• Nippon Paint: Asia-headquartered global paints and coatings major with extensive architectural and industrial portfolios. Comparable as a global paint manufacturing peer; Matthews is differentiated by its specialized sign-paint focus and PPG distribution model.
• Sherwin-Williams: Largest North American coatings manufacturer with a broad portfolio spanning architectural, industrial, automotive refinish, and specialty coatings. Comparable as a coatings peer to PPG (Matthews' parent) and operates in the same general paint and coatings manufacturing space.
• Behr (Masco Corporation): Major architectural paint brand sold through The Home Depot in North America. Comparable in coatings manufacturing and North American distribution, though focused on architectural/DIY rather than Matthews' specialty signmaker channel.

Direct peers

• Gemini Industries: Independent manufacturer of coatings for the sign and architectural graphics industry, including lettering enamels and screen inks. Directly comparable to Matthews Paint in product category, customer base (sign makers and fabricators), and distribution channel.

Regional players

• Kansai Paint: Asia-Pacific focused coatings manufacturer with growing global presence in automotive, decorative, and industrial coatings. Comparable in coatings manufacturing and brand portfolio depth, though Matthews is currently North America-only.

Emerging players

• Jotun: Norway-headquartered global coatings manufacturer with strong decorative, marine, and protective segments. Comparable in coatings manufacturing technology and product portfolio breadth, though Matthews is narrower in sign-paint specialization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MatthewsPaint
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/matthewspaint

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Matthews Paint