Quick answer: To match a colour accurately when ordering online, don't rely on a single screenshot. Instead: describe the shade in words ("warm dusty rose, not bright pink"), share more than one reference image taken in daylight, choose from a defined colour library rather than "the colour in that photo," and — crucially — ask for a video of the finished piece before it ships. Screens vary so much that words, multiple references and a pre-dispatch video together are far more reliable than any one image.
Getting an exact colour right when you and the seller are looking at different screens is one of the trickiest parts of ordering online. Here's a practical method that actually works. (For why screens distort colour, see why your screen lies about colour — this guide is the how-to fix.)
1. Lead with words, not just an image
Language travels between screens better than pixels. Describe the shade precisely:
- Warm or cool? "Warm rust" vs "cool crimson."
- Light or deep? "Pale blush" vs "deep rose."
- What it's NOT: "dusty rose, not bright pink" rules out the wrong direction.
- A reference object: "like a terracotta plant pot," "like champagne."
2. Share more than one reference image
- Send 2–3 photos of the same shade so the seller can average out screen distortion.
- Shoot in daylight (near a window, no flash) for the truest capture.
- Avoid heavily filtered images — they mislead.
3. Use a defined colour library, not "the colour in that photo"
The most reliable method is choosing from a physical, defined set of shades. With a 900+ hand-dyed colour library, you and the maker are referring to the same defined shade — not two different screen renderings of one photo.
4. Calibrate how you view colour
- Turn off night mode and blue-light filters.
- Set normal brightness (not max, not dimmed).
- View in daylight, away from coloured walls or lighting.
- Check on a second device if you can.
5. Confirm with a video before dispatch
This is the decisive step. A video of the finished piece in natural light and movement shows the true colour far better than any product photo — and you approve it before it ships. It's the safety net that makes everything above reliable. (See how the video approval works.)
Quick method recap
- Describe the shade in words (warm/cool, light/deep, what it's not).
- Share 2–3 daylight reference photos.
- Choose from a defined colour library.
- View colour with night mode off, normal brightness, in daylight.
- Approve the pre-dispatch video.
Do these and the colour that arrives will match the one in your head — not just the one on a screen.
Explore the colour library, browse bridal wear, or contact us to agree your exact shade.
Frequently asked questions
How do I match a colour exactly when ordering online?
Describe the shade in words, share 2–3 daylight reference photos, choose from a defined colour library rather than "the colour in that photo," view colour with night mode off in daylight, and approve a video of the finished piece before dispatch.
Why don't reference photos always work for colour?
Because screens vary in calibration and brightness, and photos are affected by lighting and filters. Multiple daylight photos plus a written description plus a defined colour library are far more reliable than one image.
What's the most reliable way to agree a colour?
Choosing from a defined hand-dyed colour library so both you and the maker refer to the same shade, then confirming with a video of the finished outfit before it ships.
How should I view colour on my phone?
Turn off night mode and blue-light filters, use normal brightness, view in daylight away from coloured lighting, and check on a second device if possible.
AÏNN London matches your exact shade from a 900+ hand-dyed colour library and confirms it with a video of your finished outfit before dispatch — so the colour that arrives is the one you imagined. Explore the colour library.
Last updated: June 2026
