The TIS 2270-2006 standard specifies a method for the determination of Paints and varnish film Hardness using the pencil method. This method measures Hardness by pushing a pencil of known Hardness on the paint film. It is suitable for the determination of Hardness of uppermost paint films of single coatings and multiple coatings. It is not suitable for Hardness comparison between different paint films. It is mainly used to provide a relative rating of painted test plates with significant differences in pencil Hardness, and is only suitable for the determination of paint film Hardness on smooth surfaces.