Commissioned to promote the General Post Office, it was Lye's first direct animation to receive a public release.

[1] In mid 1935, Lye struck a deal with John Grierson to make a direct animation for the GPO Film Unit.

[2] Lye and sound editor Jack Ellitt went through hundreds of records looking for music to use as the soundtrack.

The jury created a special "fantasy film" category so that they could award A Colour Box with a Medal of Honour.

"[2] Canadian animator Norman McLaren carefully studied the film, inspired by Lye's "technical inventiveness".