SHADE SORTING

Color is the most important aspect of any garment. It would not

be an exaggeration to say that to many consumers color is quality
and the decision whether or not to buy a garment rests on its
color.
Also, in fabric form the marketability of any fabric
depends on its color, which again depends on dyeing and its
preparatory processes. Therefore, good color and excellent
color/shade matching, for suits or coordinates, and even between
panels within a garment, are extremely important for
profitability.
The shade of a color may vary from lot to lot or from bolt(a roll
of fabric) to bolt. Such variation may be due to one or more of
the following factors:
1. Variation in maturity of cotton fibers.
2. Changes in merges of synthetic fibers.
3. Variation in sizing formula.
4. Inconsistent bleaching.
5. Varying absorbency of the fabric due to a variation in the
process variables in mercerization.
6. Variation in the pressure, temperature, and/or chemical
concentrations of dyes in the dyeing process.
These are just few factors that affect shade uniformity.

Sorting methods are appropriate for use when the normal

color variation within a process is greater than a visible amount of
difference and this difference is unacceptable to a customer.
The dyeing of textile is a good example. Variation in temperature,
humidity, dye strength, and the dye uptake characteristics of
cloth can result in color variation that is visible and unacceptable
between cloth pieces used in a cut and sew shirt product.
Shade numbering, sorting, and tapering are used in many
industries, but particularly the textile industry.

Shade Numbering:

The shade numbering feature performs calculations on the sample

data and assigns each sample a shade number based on how close
its color is to the standard.

The Shade Sorting:

The Shade sorting is the process of assigning samples of the

same nominal color into groups having no significant color
variation. Use of modern spectrophotometers and color
measurement technology make it possible to obtain precise color
differences between samples. shade sorting feature calculates a
shade number for each sample based on how close its color is to
the standard, but ALSO has the ability to sort all samples into
shade groups and provide data on which samples belong to each
shade number. A shade coding to each sample read based on how
close it is to the product standard.
One of popular shade sorting system is the Simon
method, known as the 555 system. In this system each color is
given a three digit numeric shade sort code. Using the CIE
L*C*h* color space as an example, the first digit shows lightness
of the color as compared to the standard color. If the color is
lighter than the standard this digit will be above 5, and below 5 if
it is darker. If the color is more saturate than the standard color
the second digit will be above 5 and below 5 if it is duller than
the standard. Similarly, the third digit in the shade sort code
indicates the hue variation from the standard.
SSS SHADE SORTING SYSTEM:

In a color matching is a very reliable system and it is based upon

modification of shade with reference to bare color. The SSS
code sis assigned for standard sample and its value started from
111-999. This code is assigned for a sample

The shade tapering:

The shade tapering feature is also known as color sequencing. The

software performs calculations that arrange the samples from
lightest to darkest or dullest to brightest and report them in this
order so that each sample is as close as possible in shade to the
samples next to it.