swatches
Color comparison pieces
Swatches are small samples of material, especially fabric, used to show color, texture, or pattern: She brought home swatches from the fabric store.
The term extends to any representative samples—paint swatches, color swatches in design software.
A swatch gives just enough to judge the whole.
Small test portions
- mockupPreliminary design representation
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
- selectionChosen item or items
- optionsAvailable courses of action
comparison · presentation · mood board · specification · reference · inspiration · visualization · layout
Color's specific character
- tintFaint color addition
- shadeDarkness from blocked light
- pigmentColor-imparting material
- toneQuality of sound
palette · spectrum · pastel · vibrant · saturated · complementary · analogous · monochromatic
Plant fiber for textiles
velvet · chiffon · jersey · flannel · muslin · corduroy · satin · polyester
Small broken-off piece
- sampleSubset for study
- testEvaluative examination
- wallVertical enclosing structure
- Sherwin-WilliamsAmerican paint corporation
finish · matte · gloss · satin · primer · coverage · undertone · lighting
Patterned clan fabric
- plaidWoven crisscross pattern
- herringboneV-shaped diagonal weave
- twillDiagonal-ribbed fabric
- brocadeRaised-pattern luxury fabric
damask · paisley · houndstooth · pinstripe · gingham · checkered · floral · geometric
Layered fabric stitching
- patchworkFabric scraps sewn together
- scrapbookingCreating decorated keepsake albums
- embroideryDecorative stitching on fabric
- appliquéCutout stitched onto fabric
sewing · needlework · remnants · cutting · piecing · binding · stitching · fabric store
samples
Small test portions
- mockupPreliminary design representation
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
- selectionChosen item or items
options · comparison · presentation · mood board · specification · reference · inspiration · visualization · layout · drafts
hue
Color's specific character
tone · palette · spectrum · pastel · vibrant · saturated · complementary · analogous · monochromatic · gradient
cotton
Plant fiber for textiles
denim · velvet · chiffon · jersey · flannel · muslin · corduroy · satin · polyester · tweed
chip
Small broken-off piece
Sherwin-Williams · finish · matte · gloss · satin · primer · coverage · undertone · lighting · room
tartan
Patterned clan fabric
- plaidWoven crisscross pattern
- herringboneV-shaped diagonal weave
- twillDiagonal-ribbed fabric
brocade · damask · paisley · houndstooth · pinstripe · gingham · checkered · floral · geometric · solid
quilting
Layered fabric stitching
- patchworkFabric scraps sewn together
- scrapbookingCreating decorated keepsake albums
- embroideryDecorative stitching on fabric
appliqué · sewing · needlework · remnants · cutting · piecing · binding · stitching · fabric store · notions
- design toolsruler, pencils, eraser, pen, markers
- graphic designlogo, font, typography, layout, color
- fabric storecloth, fabric, textiles, cotton, silk
- color coordinationmatching, palette, scheme, hue, tones
- color theorycolor theory, hue, primary colors, secondary colors, saturation
- design softwarePhotoshop, InDesign, Figma, GIMP, CorelDRAW
swatchesbolts
Threaded metal fasteners
yardage · whole cloth · rolls · lengths · the whole nine yards
- color swatchSmall pigment specimen
- paint swatch
- fabric swatchSmall textile specimen
- fabric swatchesSmall cloth specimens