Textile Colorist Career Profile, Salary, & Job Outlook
What does a Textile Colorist do?
A textile colorist is responsible for mixing, developing, and creating colors and color palettes for clothing, collections, and other textiles. They also collaborate with textile designers to develop color schemes for designs. Textile colorists have to stay on top of current and future color trends. They analyze color data and make necessary adjustments. In addition, they maintain color libraries, oversee labs, and develop new techniques for mixing and creating colors.
How much does a Textile Colorist make?
According to Glassdoor, Textile Colorists make a national average of $85,229 or $40.98 an hour (as of March 2022). In general, entry-level textile colorists make around $36,000 annually, with senior-level textile colorists making $208,000 a year. This wide range also depends on skill, seniority, company, and location.
What impact does this career have towards the fashion industry?
Color is vital in the fashion world. It attracts consumer attention and forms an emotional connection. Colors and pallets can be specific identifiers of a brand. Textile colorists are responsible for selecting and/or creating those colors. They help designers execute their vision.
What is the job outlook for this career?
Global apparel revenue is forecasted to grow to $2.25 trillion by 2025. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for fashion designers (including Textile Colorists) are expected to maintain steady growth during the 2020-2030 decade.
How to kick-off your career:
- Learn about color theory.
- Experiment with color combinations and build a portfolio.
- Download The Ultimate Fashion Career Guide to learn more about career paths.
- Explore the Parsons x WWD Fashion Business Essentials online course.
Learn from:
Jeff Carvalho, Fashion Business Essentials contributor, Founder, Highsnobiety
Related Careers:
Creative Director | Fashion Illustrator | Apparel Designer | Fabric Researcher | Accessories Designer | Garment Technologist | Footwear Designer | Pattern Cutter/Grader | Director of Merchandising & Design | Trend Forecaster | Graphic Designer | Textile Designer | Data Analyst
