Have you ever shopped online for a new clothing item and noticed it looks one colour on your phone, but a completely different colour on your device? ... and then a different colour when it finally arrives in the mail?!
Variances in colour are very common when shopping online. Colours can differ from screen to screen, so the question is why does this happen?
1. Screen settings
If you use two devices side by side, you may notice that one monitor shows colour a bit differently than the other. Take for instance this image captured below.
On the left device, the image may appear slightly dull in comparison to the image on the right, which is evidently more vibrant in tone.
So why does this happen? The answer comes down to four things:
・ Pixels – tiny dots in digital imaging that come together to form a picture
・ RGB color– red, green, and blue pixels that come together to produce a variety of new colors
・ Bit depth – the number of bits used to indicate the color of a single pixel; the higher the bit depth, the more RGB pixels on the screen and the more accurate the color
・ Display resolution – the number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed
The pixels are in some pattern of red, blue, or green depending on the bit depth, a.k.a. how many can fit on the screen. If one monitor has a higher bit depth than the other, it will affect the resolution, which in turn, affects how visual content, namely color, shows up on the screen.
2. Lighting
The lighting conditions in which the product photos were taken can also impact how colors appear online. Natural light, artificial light, and studio lighting can all affect the perceived color of the clothing. Our photography for instance is taken under studio lighting, which means the colour may appear slightly different when held under natural light.
3. Image editing
Product photos on online shopping websites may be edited or enhanced to make the clothing look more appealing. This editing process can sometimes alter the true colors of the clothing, leading to discrepancies between the online image and the actual product.
4. Fabric textures
The texture and material of the fabric can also influence how colors are perceived online. Certain fabrics may reflect light differently, causing variations in color shades when viewed on a screen.
What can I do for a more accurate shopping experience?
To minimize the risk of colour discrepancies when shopping for clothing online, consider reading product descriptions, looking at multiple product images, and checking for customer reviews that mention colour accuracy.
Alternatively, we're here to help. If you have any questions prior to your purchase regarding our designs, you're very welcome to reach out to us at info@hanm.co where we will do our best to help.