Arthur Holden & Son developed powder coating technology in 1963. In the process a paint powder is made, (solvent free paint), incorporating resins, pigments, hardeners, flow agents, etc. The powder is mixed, heated and extracted into a uniform extra date, rather like spaghetti. This is broken, then, ground down into a powder. Any colour alterations take place before extrusion.

The powder is then applied to the cleaned article. The powder particles remain in place due to electrostatic attraction. The article coated in powder is then heated in an oven (e.g. 10 minutes at 160°C), where the powder melts and forms a uniform coating. Any powder not sticking to the object to be painted is collected from the insulated spray cabinet and is reused. The process has the advantage of 100% transfer efficiency, but is limited epoxy and polyester resin systems. Colour consistency and changing colours are not as easy as wet paint systems.