There are three major additional steps used in stamped concrete which separate it from other concrete procedures. First step involves the introduction of a base color. Secondly, a highlight color is added as an accent, and finally a pattern is stamped into concrete. These three procedures provide stamped concrete with a its color, shape and texture

Base Color: The base color is the primary color used. There are an unlimited number of colors to choose from. There are two major methods to introduce color to the concrete. One method is to broadcast what is called a color hardener. Color hardener is a powder pigment used to dye the concrete, by literally throwing it onto the surface of the concrete. You broadcast the hardener as soon as it is floated for the first time. After letting the bleed water soak into the hardener you float and trowel it in. This method only covers the surface about 3/16 of an inch but it gives the concrete surface a longer wear life. The second method is called integrally colored concrete. The entire volume of concrete is colored by adding the color hardener to the truck. The process of integrally coloring offers the advantage of the entire volume being colored; however, the surface strength is not increased as with the use of color hardener.

Highlight Color: The highlight color, the secondary color, is used to, as the name implies, highlight the texture and pattern. It has the same effect that shading does in art work. The accent color can be achieved at the time of pour or after the concrete has set.

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