Can I include paint chip cards from hardware stores?

Yes. Paint chip cards are some of the easiest objects to cut out. Lay them flat and photograph in good light.

How do I use foliage or flowers in a palette?

Press or lay them flat and photograph on a clean surface. Canvi's background removal handles most natural organic shapes.

Can I create a digital color palette from this for design software?

Canvi builds visual boards from photos. For digital hex codes, use a color picker tool on the exported board image after export.

Does it work for very similar shades that are close in value?

Yes. Placing very similar swatches side by side on the canvas often reveals subtle differences that are hard to see in isolation.

Can I share the palette with a paint supplier or contractor?

Yes. Export the board as a PNG and share it directly. It is a clear visual reference for anyone involved in your project.

Build Color Palettes from the Real World Around You

Photograph paint chips, fabric swatches, foliage, ceramics, and any object with a color you love. Strip backgrounds and arrange them into a palette board that captures the exact combination you are going for.

Why people use it

Build a color scheme from materials you have already sourced rather than abstract swatches
See how paint colors relate to actual fabric and flooring samples before committing
Capture and preserve a color palette inspired by a natural environment or walk
Create a reference board for a contractor, painter, or supplier
Develop a brand or project color system grounded in real-world material choices

How it works

Gather your color sources: Collect paint chips, fabric scraps, flowers, leaves, ceramics, or any objects with colors you want to build around. Lay them on a clean surface.
Photograph and upload: Take individual photos and upload to Canvi. Backgrounds are removed from each item automatically.
Arrange into a palette: Place items side by side or overlapping on the canvas to build the color relationship you want to explore.
Export your palette: Export the finished palette board as a PNG to share with a designer, contractor, or save as a project reference.

Use cases

Interior paint and material palette: Combine paint chips, tile samples, fabric swatches, and flooring samples to confirm the color scheme works before any materials are ordered.
Brand color reference board: Photograph objects, packaging, and materials that represent a brand's color direction and arrange them into a tangible reference.
Nature-inspired palette: Bring in foliage, stones, dried flowers, and natural objects from the garden or a walk to build a palette rooted in the real environment.
Seasonal color planning: Gather swatches and objects representing seasonal colors to plan a wardrobe, interior refresh, or event palette for a specific time of year.

Tips

Photograph all swatches under the same lighting conditions so the colors render accurately and consistently
Include both warm and cool neutrals alongside accent colors to give the palette balance and flexibility
Try building both a muted earthy version and a brighter version of the same palette to see which direction feels right
Export and view the palette on screen and print it out: colors can look very different across different viewing formats
Add a note to your export about the light source under which the palette was built for future reference

Frequently asked questions

Can I include paint chip cards from hardware stores?: Yes. Paint chip cards are some of the easiest objects to cut out. Lay them flat and photograph in good light.
How do I use foliage or flowers in a palette?: Press or lay them flat and photograph on a clean surface. Canvi's background removal handles most natural organic shapes.
Can I create a digital color palette from this for design software?: Canvi builds visual boards from photos. For digital hex codes, use a color picker tool on the exported board image after export.
Does it work for very similar shades that are close in value?: Yes. Placing very similar swatches side by side on the canvas often reveals subtle differences that are hard to see in isolation.
Can I share the palette with a paint supplier or contractor?: Yes. Export the board as a PNG and share it directly. It is a clear visual reference for anyone involved in your project.