byko-charts
BYK-Gardner offers a wide range of drawdown charts for a variety of applications. Test charts are easy to use and are an inexpensive substrate to test various coating properties. BYK-Gardner uses stringent quality control during the production process to ensure the most consistent chart properties for color and gloss in the industry. Selection of the chart depends on the coating technology that needs to be tested, as well as, the coating properties that need to be evaluated.
Opacity Drawdown Charts
Opacity drawdown charts are made up of white and black areas that are large enough to make a reflectivity measurement with a spectrophotometer like the BYK-Gardner spectro-guide. These charts are used to test the hiding or opacity of a coating and meet ASTM D 344, ASTM D 2805 and ISO 6504-3. For superior solvent resistance, choose the Film Laminated charts. Also, a brightened 2A chart is available.
Ordering information and technical specifications
More information on testing for opacity
More information on the BYK-Gardner Spectro-guide
Penopac Drawdown Charts: Penetration and Opacity Charts
Penopac drawdown charts consist of a white and black area large enough to make a reflectivity measurement with a spectrophotometer as well as an uncoated area. These drawdown charts are used to test both the penetration resistance (an evaluation of color and gloss on varying porosity) and opacity of a film in one drawdown. Using a single drawdown chart to do two tests reduces the time spent performing multiple drawdowns and saves money on the purchase of drawdown charts.
Ordering information and technical specifications
More information on testing for opacity and penetration resistance
Display Charts and Spreading Rate Charts

Variety of Display drawdown charts and spreading rate drawdown charts.
Photo courtesy of BYK-Gardner.
Display charts and spreading rate charts are large-sized drawdown charts that were designed for the visual evaluation of hiding. These charts have a strong visual impact and emphasize variations in coating film opacity. They are available in diagonal stripes or checkerboard patterns and meet ASTM D 344, ASTM D 2805 and ISO 6504-3. To calculate the spreading rate according to ASTM D 344, use forms 8H and 10H. For superior solvent resistance, choose the Film Laminated charts.
Ordering information and technical specifications
Order Display Charts or Spreading Rate Charts
More information on testing using the Display Charts and Spreading Rate Charts
Brushout Drawdown Cards
Brushout Drawdown Cards are made from heavy, rigid stock paper for informal brushout applications. The cards are almost twice the thickness of the regular drawdown chart paper to give greater rigidity for easier handling. The Brushout Drawdown Charts come with black and white areas or solid white.
Ordering information and technical specifications
Plain White Drawdown Charts
The Plain White Drawdown Charts are completely white with no text or labeling at the top and have a coating on one side. These are available in a variety of sizes. The 2835 Plain White Drawdown Chart is an uncoated stock paper that has the labeling text at the top. Also available are the Chromolux Plain White Drawdown Charts that are used in the determination of whiteness. These Chromolux Charts have a very smooth, high gloss surface, achieved by the paper being pressed against a hot metal plate.
Ordering information and technical specifications
Order Plain White Drawdown Charts
Plain Black Drawdown Charts
The Plain Black Drawdown Charts are completely black and measure 8-5/8 x 11-1/4 in. This type of chart is used to check the opacity of a coating over a dark primer or substrate. A visual assessment of sparkle or pearl appearance of special effect coatings and cosmetics can be easily viewed with a black background.
Ordering information and technical specifications
Order Plain Black Drawdown Charts
Uncoated Drawdown Cards
The Uncoated Drawdown Cards are made from heavy, rigid stock paper. These cards are uncoated and are used to simulate wood or unsealed wallboard. They come in a variety of patterns, from simple black and white similar to opacity charts to the diagonal striped and checkerboard similar to the display charts.
Ordering information and technical specifications
Sag and Leveing Test Charts
The Sag and Leveling Test Charts are designed for use with the NYPC Leveling Test Blade and the Anti-Sag Meter. These charts consist of an extra large black area in the middle between two white areas. This allows the measurements to be made over the black area only. By eliminating the white areas, the user is able to ignore the measurements of the leading and trailing edges of the drawdown. The Sag and Leveling Test Charts meet ASTM D 4400.
Ordering information and technical specifications
Order Sag and Leveling Test Charts
Information on the NYPC Leveling Test Blade
Information on the Anti-Sag Meter
Spray Monitors
Spray Monitors are self-adhering, pressure sensitive stickers with a sealed solvent-resistant surface. They have a hiding test pattern that is used to visually determine the opacity during the paint application process, which is often a spraying application. They can be used on a variety of test substrates but are used most commonly on metal test panels. The spray monitors stay adhered whether air-dried or baked.
Ordering information and technical specifications
Inter-leaf Paper
Inter-leaf Paper is designed to protect a dry paint film. It is placed between the byko-charts to prevent the film from being marred or sticking to the byko-chart stacked on top of it. The inter-leaf paper has a non-stick surface and should be used when storing or shipping paint films applied to byko-charts.
Ordering information and technical specifications
Clear Polyester Film
Clear Polyester Film is used as a substrate for coatings to evaluate color, gloss, transparency, foam stabilization, de-flocculation of pigments, or placed over a black and white background to evaluate opacity. In addition, it is used as an overlay to protect a drawdown after drying without obscuring visibility.
Ordering information and technical specifications
Scrub Test Panel
The Scrub Test Panel is a black or white plastic panel that is 0.25 mmm thick (10mils). They are used in scrub and abrasion tests with an abrasion scrub tester such as the BYK-Gardner Wet Abrasion Scrub Tester. These scrub panels are a great substrate to use for all types of abrasion tests. The Scrub Test Panels meet ASTM D 2486, ASTM D 3450, ASTM 4213, and ISO 11998.
Ordering information and technical specifications
Information on the BYK-Gardner Wet Abrasion Scrub Tester
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