Why Some Ink Colors Look Different on Clothing
Published by: Siobhan Ingram
Date: 05-13-2025
You select the perfect royal blue for your new club t-shirts.
They come in. You tear open the box. And… wait. Why is it so dark? Is that even the same blue?
You're not crazy—and you're not alone.
Ink colors almost always shift as they move from a computer screen (or Pantone swatch) to real clothing.
At FCE, we face it daily—and today we're pulling back the curtain so you know what's truly going on behind the scenes.
Fabric Isn't a Blank Canvas—It's Part of the Art
When you print on apparel, you're not working with a nice, pure white, smooth piece of paper. You're working with fabric—woven, textured, and typically already colored.
The color of the garment beneath the print influences the look of the ink:
Light-colored shirts (white, ash, light heather) keep colors bold and true.
Dark-colored shirts (navy, black, forest) absorb more ink, making the finished color softer or the tone slightly different.
That rich blue you loved? On a black hoodie, it might look navy. On a light gray tee, it stays punchy and bright.
Material Makes a Difference, Too
All materials do not absorb ink the same way. Cotton accepts color differently than polyester. Blends have their own subtleties.
100% cotton retains ink with a crispness—colors are vibrant.
Poly blends can soften or very slightly change colors.
Performance fabrics sometimes give a slight sheen or wash, depending on the ink.
That's why some of what we do at FCE is help you match your design to the right material—so you get the look you're aiming for, not a surprise.
Even the Light in the Room Plays Tricks
Here's another twist: lighting affects color perception.
A bright ink color can look one way under fluorescent lights, another way outside in sunlight, and another way in poorly lit event centers.
That's why, when designing apparel, it's prudent to think about where and how your gear is going to be worn.
How We Assist You to Get It Right
At FCE, we never leave color matching to chance. We test, adjust, and suggest solutions like:
Printing a white base under bright artwork on dark garments
Adjusting ink blends for better contrast
Mockups and real samples before big orders
Since you deserve products that are as great as your vision—not on paper, but in actuality.
When you understand how fabric, ink, and light work together, you can design more intelligently—and your brand will look even better off because of it.