Understanding Color in Your Custom Apparel
We understand that when you order a custom garment, getting the colors right is essential! We take great care to represent the colors of our garments and embroidery threads as accurately as possible in our online images. However, due to several factors outside of our control, the final product you receive may have slight color variations compared to what you see on your screen.
Please review the following factors that cause this common industry difference:
1. Monitor and Device Calibration
Every screen—whether it's a desktop monitor, laptop, tablet, or smartphone—displays colors differently.
- Color Profile: Your device uses a specific color profile and calibration settings that affect brightness, contrast, and color temperature.1 A photograph that looks deep navy blue on one screen might look slightly more royal blue on another.
- Lighting: The ambient light in the room where you are viewing the image (and the light in the room where you view the actual garment) will also influence how colors are perceived.2
2. Fabric and Thread Material
The material of the garment and the type of thread used for the embroidery can subtly alter the perceived color.3
- Dye Absorption: Different fabric types (e.g., cotton vs. polyester) absorb dye differently.4 A "Red" dye on a pure cotton shirt may appear slightly warmer or softer than the exact same dye on a polyester blend shirt.
- Thread Finish: Embroidery threads, especially those with a slight sheen (like rayon or polyester), will reflect light.5 This makes the color appear brighter or lighter in certain lighting conditions than a flat, matte image on a screen.
3. Lighting in Product Photography
The professional photos on our site are taken under carefully controlled, high-quality lighting to showcase detail and color.
- Ideal vs. Real: While this lighting is designed to be accurate, it is likely different from the lighting in your home or office. The difference between studio lighting and natural daylight can make colors shift slightly.6
Our Commitment to Color Accuracy
We use industry-standard Pantone Matching System (PMS) color references whenever possible for thread matching. This ensures the physical color of the thread we use is as close as possible to the intended color.
If exact color matching is critical for your brand or group, please contact our support team before placing your order to discuss physical swatches or color standards.
