The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word PALETTE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
P
A
L
E
T
T
E
More clues leading to the result PALETTE
- Range of colourings allowed in meat paste
- Range of colours spread across permit
- Range of colourants allowed in meat paste
- Artist's equipment Dad authorised with note
- Range of colours allowed in meat spread
- Where colours are spread without obstacle
- Range of colourings allowed having spread around
- Range of colours spread round holiday home
- Broken tea plate lost a range of colour
- Part of the mouth said show a range of colours
Buddy explains!

The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does PALETTE mean?
PALETTE noun- A thin board on which a painter lays and mixes colours.
- The range of colors in a given work or item or body of work.
- A visual selection of colours, tools, commands, etc.
- A plate of armour covering the points of junction at the bend of the shoulders and elbows.
- A plate against which a person presses their breast to give force to a hand-operated drill.