BusinessSeptember 1, 2026
metamerism
muh-TAM-uh-riz-um
Definition
A phenomenon where two colored samples appear to match under one light source but look different when viewed under another, often complicating textile and print production.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek 'meta-' (change) and 'meros' (part), the term was coined in the late 19th century to describe the scientific study of light and color perception.
In the news
The article uses the term to explain why textile printers struggle with color consistency, noting that a product might look correct on the manufacturing floor but fail to match expectations in a store's lighting.
APPEARANCE MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY OUTLOOK—Who Owns the Way Your Products Look?
Read the full article ↗WhatTheyThink