Trying to match colors

[tiedyejudy]

I am  currently working on a project where I am trying to match colors to tote bags made of manufactured fabrics.  The client let me take pictures of the items, but I am really not sure I will be getting a true match.  I spent 2 hours yesterday mixing dyes and doing test swatches, but the swatches are on light weight cotton and I will be dyeing clothing of cotton jersey.  Anyone out there have experience in matching colors?  

Thanks,
Judy

[steve]

Judy--

The material you use generally can make a big difference in how the colors appear. A while back, I was poking around the Internet, I found somebody's webpage where they showed the difference in color using the same dye and process varying only the fabric. The differences were stunning.

Make sure you use the same materials if color matching is critical.

Of course there is also the issue of how accurately the colors are represented in the photographs!

If it is a big project, Prochem does offer a color matching service, but you need to commit to a certain amount of dye. Check their site for details.

Steve

[fiberartist219]

The best way to match colors, is to keep track of everything you dye. Keep a notebook of swatches and write down what type of fabric you used, the ratios of colors used, etc.

Also, matching the colors to a photograph is not a good idea, especially if you need an exact match. The camera, lighting, and printing can all distort the colors. It is best to match the colors to an actual swatch of fabric. The differences in a photograph don't seem that noticable when taking pictures of events or loved ones, but when photographing for the purpose of capturing the colors... it requires extra knowlege.