| So you've selected a set of pantone colors or | | | | dye color bonding. |
| perhaps even sent a sample of a previous apparel | | | | Anther difference is slight pH differences in the water |
| label you had made, and the resulting shades of the | | | | used as a solvent to mix with the concentrated dye. If |
| new delivery are slightly off. Understandably, you call | | | | the pH of water is 7.235 in one batch of dye at time |
| up your supplier to try to get to the bottom of why | | | | #1 and 7.275 with with the exact same batch of dye |
| your color shading was not to your expectations. | | | | at time #2, then the ions in the fabric label acid dye will |
| You are told that the manufacturer makes every | | | | bind slightly stronger or slightly weaker. The result will |
| attempt to match pantone colors or swatch samples, | | | | be a color shade very slightly off. |
| but that oftentimes it is very difficult to get an absolute | | | | In both cases the only real solution is to employ a |
| 100% exact match, especially with very strong shades | | | | physical sampling process, and when you are satisfied |
| or blue, yellow, red, and green. You are told that in | | | | with the color schemes, make a very large |
| order to get exact matches, a lengthy and expensive | | | | order---perhaps to cover your needs for years. If you |
| physical sampling process must be employed. | | | | don't plan on making any changes to your label, this is |
| What happened? Why can't technology present a | | | | definitely the cheapest avenue. On the other hand, if |
| perfect match the first time? There are several very | | | | you need only a limited amount of garment labels of |
| important reasons for this. | | | | any one run, it is helpful to relax the color requirements |
| First is the actual twist of the yarn. Is it Z (clockwise) | | | | to a small range of shades---it's the fastest and least |
| or S (counterclockwise wise)? As hard as it to | | | | expensive method. |
| conceptualize, the twist direction of the yarn actually | | | | Coloring of any textile is an area of great contention |
| affect the ionic bonding properties of the dye. | | | | and is oftentimes the source of clothing designers' |
| Oftentimes, threads are obtained from different yarn | | | | stress. Making either large batch orders, or relaxing the |
| suppliers---usually, the cheapest wins out, as pricing is | | | | color standards to a few close shades makes the |
| king in today's environment. Did your last label utilize a | | | | process less complicated and much more streamlined. |
| Z or an S thread? This makes a big difference with | | | | |