PVD colour · project approval guide
Gold PVD stainless steel is not a complete purchase specification by itself. For architectural interiors, the reliable starting point is an approved visual reference plus the information that explains where and how the finished material will be used. This guide gives architects, fit-out teams, contractors and distributors a practical approval checklist before they request a quotation.
Start by separating the colour idea from the approval decision
“Titanium gold”, “champagne gold” and related names can help describe a design direction. They do not, on their own, define the exact surface, grade, dimensions, visible faces, fabrication sequence or acceptance criteria. A project becomes easier to review when the designer or buyer makes those choices explicit before comparing quotations.
Choose a reference
Use an item code, physical piece, approved rendering or reference image to show the intended gold direction.
Explain where it goes
State the application, installation environment, touch level, lighting context and visible faces.
Review the finished scope
Add available grade, dimensions, quantity, processing, drawings and destination information for a practical discussion.
Use sample references precisely
When you attach an image or browse a website gallery, record the item code and describe what you are responding to: colour temperature, gloss, texture, reflection or pattern. Do not assume that two gold-looking images represent the same finished surface.
REFERENCE IS NOT A UNIVERSAL SPECIFICATION
Ask what the image is showing.
A product photograph or online gallery can communicate a broad colour and texture direction. It should be paired with a named item code, physical sample or project reference before it is used for approval. An image alone does not automatically set the grade, performance, thickness, component shape or suitable use for another project.
For current visible WJH colour and surface references, see the PVD colour sample library. If the requirement is specifically a titanium-gold direction, the PVD titanium gold product page explains the project-led supply conversation.
What should be recorded before approving a gold PVD sample?
| Approval item | What to define | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Reference | Sample code, physical sample, image or rendering, plus the preferred visual effect. | It gives all parties the same starting point for the gold direction. |
| Application | Wall cladding, lift detail, screen, door trim, retail fixture, furniture component or another stated use. | Visible surfaces, touch frequency and project detailing differ by application. |
| Base surface and texture | State the visual route to review, such as mirror-like, hairline, sandblasted, random pattern or another sample-defined direction. | Gold is perceived through the underlying surface as well as the colour direction. |
| Project environment | Interior or exterior context, country or market, exposure considerations and cleaning expectations where known. | It frames the material discussion without treating a colour name as a performance claim. |
| Fabrication and visible faces | Cutting, folding, bending, welding, edge visibility, protective handling or component assembly. | These requirements affect how the finished material should be assessed before production. |
| Quantity and logistics | Approximate quantities by item, sheet or component sizes, destination and required documents or packing notes. | A project brief can be reviewed more clearly than an unqualified price request. |
Use an approval gate before the final order discussion
For a highly visible metallic finish, an approval gate helps avoid a late disagreement about tone or surface expression. The gate can be a physical sample, a representative mock-up or another project-defined method. The important point is to agree what will be reviewed, under which conditions, and who is signing off.
- Record the selected reference. Include the WJH item code or the customer’s physical sample and note which characteristics must be matched.
- Confirm the location and visual conditions. Identify whether the material will be viewed under warm interior lighting, daylight, directional lighting or another stated condition.
- Review the surface as a finished component where relevant. If the sheet becomes a folded trim, screen, door detail or fabricated assembly, review the practical finished scope rather than a colour name alone.
- Keep the project requirement with the approval record. The drawing, size list, quantities, reference images and destination information should travel with the enquiry.
- Move from the approved direction to the quotation scope. Commercial details, availability and production planning are discussed only after the stated requirement is reviewed.
Copy-paste project brief
Send this with a gold PVD sample or quotation enquiry
Complete the fields you know. If the project is confidential, state “drawings available” and begin with the application and visible finish direction.
- Project / application: ______
- Country / installation environment: ______
- Gold reference: item code, physical sample, photo or rendering: ______
- What must be matched: colour / gloss / reflection / texture / pattern: ______
- Base surface or material requirement, if known: ______
- Dimensions, quantity and visible faces: ______
- Cutting, folding, bending, welding or component requirements: ______
- Sample / mock-up / approval requirement: ______
- Destination, documents and packing notes: ______
- Drawings or reference images: attached / available
Frequently asked questions
Can a website image define the final gold PVD finish?
No. It is a useful reference for the first discussion, but metallic colour and surface expression should be confirmed against the actual project requirement and approval route.
Can I start with a specific WJH sample item?
Yes. Include the item code, intended application, dimensions or quantity where available, and the visual characteristics you want to discuss.
Does a gold sample code define a universal material or performance specification?
No. A visible reference identifies a starting point. The final material, surface route and project suitability are reviewed against the defined requirement.
When should fabrication requirements be discussed?
Bring cutting, bending, component shape, visible edges and any other fabrication requirements into the discussion before the material route is finalised.