Low viscosity laboratory manufactured CMC samples were compared with commercially available samples as the single adhesive in clay coating colors. Low viscosities were obtained by two methods. The first was acid degradation of the original pulp. The second was a combination of alkali aging and air oxidation. Sheet brightness and opacity were good for all of the CMC colors. Sheet finish was a function of both absolute viscosity of the CMC and the method of viscosity reduction. Adhesive strength was definitely lowered by both methods of viscosity reduction.