Trademark Class 2: Paints
Class 2 covers paints, varnishes, lacquers, rust and wood preservatives, colorants, dyes, printing inks and raw natural resins. Paint makers, dye houses and ink manufacturers file here.
What class 2 covers
Class 2 of the Nice Classification covers: “Paints, varnishes, lacquers; preservatives against rust and against deterioration of wood; colorants, dyes; inks for printing, marking and engraving; raw natural resins; metals in foil and powder form for use in painting, decorating, printing and art.”” This is the official heading in the current edition, NCL 13-2026, in force since 1 January 2026.
WIPO’s explanatory note says class 2 mainly covers paints, colorants and preparations used to protect against corrosion. It includes paints and varnishes for industry and arts, thinners for them, mordants for wood and leather, anti-rust oils, dyestuffs for clothing, and colorants for food and drinks.
Section 7 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 has the Registrar classify goods in line with this international system. Colour and protection run through the whole class.
Common goods in class 2
Paints and coatings
- Emulsion, enamel and oil paints
- Varnishes and lacquers
- Anti-corrosive and anti-fouling paints
Colours and dyes
- Dyes for clothing and textiles
- Pigments and colorants
- Food and beverage colorants
Inks, resins and metal powders
- Printing, marking and engraving inks
- Raw natural resins such as shellac
- Wood stains and wood preservatives
What is not in class 2
These sound like paint or ink but belong elsewhere:
| Goods | Correct class |
|---|---|
| Mordants for metals | Class 1 |
| Unprocessed artificial resins | Class 1 |
| Laundry blueing and cosmetic dyes | Class 3 |
| Inks for stationery, such as pen ink | Class 16 |
| Paint boxes for school use | Class 16 |
| Insulating paints and varnishes | Class 17 |
Who usually files in class 2
Paint and coating companies
Makers of wall paints, industrial coatings, wood finishes and anti-rust products, from regional brands to large factories.
Dye and pigment units
Textile dye houses, pigment makers and suppliers of food colours to sweet shops and beverage makers.
Printing ink manufacturers
Suppliers of printing and marking inks, and art-material brands.
Tips before filing
Search the register in class 2
Run a search on the IP India register in class 2 and nearby classes. The free search at tmrsearch.ipindia.gov.in takes one class at a time.
Check whether your ink is for printing or writing
Printing and marking inks are class 2. Ink for pens and office use is class 16. An ink brand selling both files in both. In practice, a Faridabad printing-ink supplier that adds pen refills to its range needs class 16 too.
Write a specification you will actually use
List the goods you sell or plan to sell, in the Registry’s wording. Goods you never sell can be removed for non-use under Section 47 after five years on the register.
File Form TM-A and watch the examination
File online in Form TM-A. If the examiner raises an issue, a clear reply to the examination report keeps the application moving.
Frequently asked questions
Are hair dyes and fabric dyes both in class 2?
No. Dyestuffs for clothing stay in class 2, but cosmetic dyes, including hair dyes, go to class 3. Laundry blueing is also class 3. So a dye company selling textile colours and a henna-based hair colour under one name needs class 2 and class 3. We read your product list against WIPO’s explanatory notes before filing, so each product lands in the class an examiner expects.
Do I need classes other than class 2?
You need another class only if your brand covers goods outside class 2. A single application can cover several classes under Section 18(2) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, with the fee paid per class. A paint company that also sells brushes and rollers usually adds the class for those tools, and one offering painting contracts adds a services class.
What is the government fee to file a trademark in class 2?
The fee is ₹4,500 per class if you e-file as an individual, startup or small enterprise, and ₹9,000 per class for everyone else. Each class is charged separately, so class 2 plus one more class means two fees. We confirm your category before filing, so you pay the right amount.
Can I file in class 2 before I start selling?
Yes. Section 18(1) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 lets you apply for a mark that is used or proposed to be used. You file on a “proposed to be used” basis, and your application date fixes your place in the queue. Anyone filing a similar mark later stands behind you. Once sales begin, keep invoices and labels as proof of use.
How long does a class 2 registration last?
A registration lasts ten years and can be renewed every ten years without limit under Section 25 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999. The ten years run from the application date, not the certificate date. Renewal is filed in Form TM-R, and a missed expiry can still be fixed within one year through surcharge or restoration.
What it costs
Our fee plus the government fee that applies to your case, quoted before you commit. Tell us the situation and we will price it exactly.
| Form TM-A, per class | E-filing | Paper filing |
|---|---|---|
| Individual, startup or small enterprise | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
| All other applicants | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
Official IP India fees, charged per class.
Ready to begin?
Send us your paint, dye or ink range and we will confirm the class, check the register and file your class 2 application.