Carpet- Color Sidematch

Manufacturing Causes:

Color difference at a seam is defined as a Sidematch; the seam is darker on one side, lighter on the other..

In manufacturing sidematch problems can occur in tufting, shearing or during the dyeing process; causing texture, pile height difference or color variations from side to side in the roll.

Installation Causes:

Reversing the nap of an adjoining breadth, improper pattern match, improper roll sequence, seam peaking, gaps or overlapped backing at the seam.

Seam placement is a vital concern when trying to eliminate the potential for sidematch complaints. Whenever possible seams should be placed where indirect light does not strike across the seam; seam should run into the light when possible.

Resolution:

True color sidematch is often repaired by dyeing (feather blending) the lighter side of the seam.
Textural difference is often corrected with steaming with vapor steam; not to be confused with carpet steam cleaning.

Feather blending is typically performed with an air brush or other spray type equipment. The dye is mixed to match the darker side of the carpet and sprayed a few feet into the lighter panel. Feather blending permanently removes the appearance of the dark/light sides, and the visibility of the seam.

Feather blending and steaming are viable solutions to color and textural differences at carpet seams.