Start with relationships.
A colourway is more than a colour name. Record the ground, secondary and accent roles separately, including the prominence of each. Brown tweed with a quiet cream accent and a light ground with a strong dark grid are different requests.
Separate yarn and cloth colour.
A textured yarn may contain several colours, while a check is formed by a separate arrangement. Ask which colour components can change in the proposed reference. Keep the motif and surface requests distinct from colour instructions.
Approve on a physical reference.
Screen chips and photographs communicate direction but do not approve a textile match. State the physical sample or recognised reference system and exact code that will guide review. Record the viewing conditions and the person responsible for approval.
Control changes between versions.
Number the colourways and keep the date, references and feedback together. If only the accent is changed, say which other roles should remain fixed. A revised sample needs clear identity so an earlier cutting is not mistaken for the current approval.
A worksheet for the next decision.
Scroll the table horizontally on small screens.
| Decision | Record in the brief | Resolve with evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Ground | Main colour and reference | Physical textile comparison |
| Secondary | Contrast role and prominence | Sample at garment distance |
| Accent | Optional highlight and amount | Agreed role in the full repeat |
| Version | Colourway identifier and date | One current approval record |
Keep these points with the reference.
- Colourway identifier
- Separate colour roles
- Issuing colour system and code if used
- Physical sample for approval
- Fixed and revised elements
- Estimated quantity per colourway
Compare colour relationships.
Illustrative palettes show roles, not an approved woven product.
Physical colour approval required.
Solve the next buying problem.
Why does my colour change alter the whole pattern?
The relationship between ground, secondary and accent colours determines contrast. Identify each role before asking for a change. A lighter ground can make unchanged bands look stronger. Compare one controlled adaptation at a time and keep the original beside the revised physical reference.
Can a screen palette approve a colourway?
Use it to communicate direction, then establish physical references and agreed viewing conditions. Keep the colour standard and sample version together. Distinguish approval of the yarn direction from approval of the finished cloth, since the full surface and pattern must also be reviewed.