FAQ

Do the new “Corporate” colour palettes replace the original TCI 12 Tone “Classic” ones?

No, though some may prefer one over the other depending on taste and the demands on their wardrobe. The original fans still define the limits and range of the palette of each tone, while the corporate version puts additional emphasis on darker fashion neutrals for suiting, tonal whites for shirting and on “power accents”.

Are all of the colours different?
No, and there are a couple of reasons for that. First, the TCI 12 Tone corporate palettes are intended as a supplement to the original fans, but at the same time, the customer needs to be able to get a feel for the characteristics of the original tone if the fan is used alone. Second, some tones lend themselves more and less to expansion than others, simply because of their characteristic limits, so the range of possibilities varies. So there is some overlap, which varies between tones. Third, consumer requested colours have been added where possible, Bright Spring reds and True Summer red and navy are two that spring to mind.

How can I guarantee that the provider of the analysis I choose is authentic and accurate?

This is probably the single most important question you can ask when considering choosing a provider of personal colour services.

Few people realise that there is very little external regulation of the  image, cosmetic, wellness and beauty industries.  The result of this is often inaccurate colour systems, tools and services.

To help you get value for money, and a service which lives up to the promises, below is a list of suggested questions you may wish to consider asking a provider before making an appointment.

• Where did the analyst do their colour training?
• What colour qualifications did the training provider have?
• Who developed the colour system used?
• Is the analysis in person?
• What steps are taken to ensure an accurate result?

Why 12 Tones?

There is an infinite number of tones or colour groupings possible in the natural realm of colour. Twelve tonal groups easily cover the full range of colour changes while still distinguishable by the human eye.

An accurate 12 tone system is a “natural order colour system”—this colour order cannot be changed and is consistent with the visible spectrum which is most recognisable in the form of a rainbow. In this natural order, colour moves from cool to warm, and from warm to cool. Colour never moves from cool to cool, or warm to warm. There are no hues found in two different tonal groups. Nor are their tonal groups, which contain both warm and cool hues.

Within each seasonal category, two others have been established to allow for the many beautiful tones that fall into the neutral area between the seasons. These 12 colour tones make colour analysis three times more precise. They also beautifully encompass the full range of tones found in all races and nationalities.

Is there more to colour than just warm and cool?

YES, YES and YES!    We have all heard of the terms warm and cool when referring to colour, but did you know that 2/3 of all colours are neither warm nor cool?  TCI introduces the missing Neutral hues which other personal colour systems lack.

Colour systems that do not incorporate the full realm of colour, including warm, cool and Neutral are incomplete.

What  is the difference between the TCI 12 Tone  method and ALL other personal colour systems currently available?  

TCI 12 Tone method tools, products and training have a proven, logical, scientific, and indisputable colour accuracy, theory, education and experience behind them.

Correct interpretation of colour theory, the Munsell colour system, and the science behind human vision and the brains interpretation of colour harmony has resulted in the entire realm of colour has been divided into 12 distinguishable tones.  Just as music has 12 distinguishable tones, so does colour.  3/4 of the population require ‘neutral’ (warm/cool) mixtures of colours.  If a system does not have any, or a majority of these ‘neutral’ categories, then it does not provide the accuracy needed.

The TCI 12 Tone colour samples offer 65-70 different colours in each tone because there are only 12.  These 12 follow the true movement of the seasonal color changes found in nature (remember all human beings colouring is a part of nature), and are clearly distinguishable as are the 12 tones in music.  Within each of the TCI 12 Tones there are no “cross-over” colours – colours that you will find in two different groups; each of our colour groups is different and distinguishable from the others.

What are the advantages of the TCI 12 Tone personal colour palette over traditional fabric and commercially printed and laminated swatches?

Part of the beauty of fabric is the way its colour appearance changes with the incidence of light. While it may seem logical to use fabric colour “swatches” to look for a matching colour in clothing, it is actually very difficult to do. Both the fabric swatch and the fabric clothing fluctuate in colour appearance.

Our unique personal colour palette, on the other hand, are colour sample on cotton canvas. This allows for the texture of fabric to be coloured without the changing colour appearance of a dyed fabric swatch.  This phenomenon is called Metamerism and you can read about the science behind it here.

Unlike fabric or commercially printed card board samples, our colour samples do not have to be encased in plastic for protection and will never fade! Plastic covers, and the most modern form of lamination, change the appearance of colour and render the sample less accurate for colour matching.

Ready to use, these high quality samples are completely flexible. Unlike commercially printed/coated cardboard or fabric samples they will not fade or dis colour and are guaranteed light fast!

Will my colours change over time?

Our personal colour tone is as individual as we are, and is determined by our pigmentation; colour forming chemical matter in our bodies, which uniquely combine to give us our under tone.

Hormones can effect this chemical matter, even some medication can alter their concentrations in our bodies.  Contrary to popular advise it is unnecessary to undertake colour analysis multiple times.  It is however advisable if at any stage you begin to feel uncomfortable in your colours, especially after major life changes such as menopause or illness, that you have a re-check with your personal colourist to make sure that your colours are still suitable at that stage of life.

Often as we age many individuals feel they no longer suit the ‘brighter’ colours of their youth.   This is more likely social conditioning, rather than an actual fact.  If an individual feels this way, it is often beneficial to wear the ‘neutral colours’ for comfort and ease e.g beige, brown, grey, black, navy, white etc, accented with some of the more colourful hues from ones pallet in the form of scarves, jewelery, accessories etc.

As a human being ages their personal coloring can sometimes ‘soften’ i.e hair becomes grey and skin generally thins and becomes paler.  This is a natural, and beautiful process.  Sometimes, but not always,  softer versions of their colours will be needed.  Again it is advisable to check with your certified TCI 12-tone analyst to see if a re-assessment is necessary.

What is the Munsell Colour System?

Albert H. Munsell (1858-1918) 

At the beginning of the 20th century, professor Albert H Munsell brought clarity to colour communication by establishing an orderly system for accurately identifying every colour that exists. Munsell based his system on what he defined as ‘perceived eqquidistance”, the human visual system’s perception of colour. 

Munsell desired to create a “rational way to describe colour” that would use clear decimal notation instead of a lot of color names that he considered “foolish” and “misleading.” His system, which he began in 1898 with the creation of his colour sphere, or tree, saw its full expression with his publication, A Color Notation, in 1905. This work has been reprinted several times and is still a standard for colourimetry (the measuring of color).

Munsell modeled his system as an orb around whose equator runs a band of colors. The axis of the orb is a scale of neutral gray values with white as the north pole and black as the south pole. Extending horizontally from the axis at each gray value is a gradation of color progressing from neutral gray to full saturation. With these three defining aspects, any of thousands of colors could be fully described. Munsell named these aspects, or qualities, Hue, Value, and Chroma.

The Munsell System is recognized around the globe as the standard for color notation in the worlds of art, business, science, government, and education. It is the universal system for selecting, identifying and controlling color—in short, the universal language of color communication.

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