Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
An embroidery thread colour chart is a catalogue of actual thread skeins or samples arranged by colour number. It helps you select the exact shade in person rather than on screen, and record its number to reorder without variation. For corporate logos, the colour is usually specified by a Pantone code, then matched to the closest number from the colour chart, and confirmed with a sample on the actual fabric.
Why use an embroidery thread colour chart instead of a photo
Computer and phone screens display colours in RGB, while printers use CMYK. Neither matches dyed thread precisely. Moreover, embroidery thread has a sheen: the same thread looks lighter at an angle and darker in shadow. Choosing a colour from a photo or PDF almost always leads to differences between expectations and the actual embroidery.
The colour chart contains real thread from the same production batch. Under good lighting, you can see the shade, the sheen, and how the colour sits next to neighbouring tones.
How an embroidery thread colour chart is organised
- Colour number – a unique code for each shade within the article. This is the most important reference to record.
- Colour groups – whites and creams, yellows, oranges, reds, pinks, purples, blues, greens, browns, greys and blacks.
- Separate charts by article – viscose, polyester and metallic threads usually have their own charts. The same number in different articles does not necessarily mean the same colour.
- Special series – neon, pastel, gradient and glow-in-the-dark threads.
Matching thread colour with Pantone
Pantone is a colour system used by designers. For textiles, the main references are Pantone TCX/TPX (Fashion, Home + Interiors), while Pantone Coated/Uncoated is used for printing. If you only have the print code from a logo, note that it is not designed for textiles.
- Send the Pantone code and, if possible, a physical sample – fabric, printed material or previous embroidery.
- You receive a proposal for the closest number from the colour chart of the chosen article.
- Check the sample in daylight and under the lighting where the garment will be sold.
- Approve and record the number. Include it in the technical specification of the model.
Exact matches are rarely possible because the thread palette is limited and the sheen affects perception. The goal is a visual match in real conditions, not numerical identity.
Common mistakes when choosing thread colour
- Choosing under poor lighting. Yellowish factory light distorts blue and grey tones. View the chart in daylight or under neutral light.
- Comparing thread to thread without fabric. Thread colour appears different on black, white or coloured backgrounds. Dark blue on black can look almost black.
- Too close shades in one design. Two very similar tones blend from a few metres away. If the logo must be readable from a distance, contrast is more important than exact shade.
- No recorded number. Reordering “the same blue” is not a specification.
- Changing the article. When switching from viscose to polyester, select the shade again from the new article’s chart.
How to build a corporate embroidery colour palette
If you work with a brand that embroider logos on different products, create one colour table valid for all suppliers and all series:
| Logo Element | Pantone | Thread Article | Colour Number | Background |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main colour | (code) | Polyester No. 40 | (number) | White, grey |
| Main colour – variant | (code) | Polyester No. 40 | (number) | Dark |
| Accent | (code) | Metallic | (number) | All |
It is good practice to provide a separate variant for dark backgrounds – often the same shade looks darker and loses contrast on black or dark blue.
How to store the colour chart
The colour chart is a working tool and changes over time. Light fades the skeins, and fingers leave grease on the thread. Keep the chart closed, away from windows, and replace it periodically if used daily. For approved corporate colours, it is useful to keep a separate “golden sample” – an embroidered piece with approved threads to compare each new batch. Mark the back of the sample with the date, article and colour numbers.
Dye lot variations
Even with the same colour number, different dye lots can have minimal differences. For small logos this is hardly noticeable. For large dense embroidery on uniform sets, it is best to sew the entire batch with thread from one dye lot or at least not mix lots in one item.
Embroidery colour and other accessories
The embroidered logo is rarely standalone. Brand colours also appear in woven labels, printed labels and sewing threads for decorative stitching. When all these elements are selected by the same Pantone code, the whole garment looks finished. You can find embroidery threads in a wide colour range in the embroidery threads category.
Colour matching with Polkom
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer of accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags with over 30 years of experience. We match embroidery thread colours by Pantone or sample, offer the closest shade and send samples for your live approval. We can coordinate colours of labels and other brand accessories. We deliver across the EU; minimum order quantities depend on the article. Send your inquiry via Contacts.
