How does opacity affect how a colour looks?
A transparent material shows a clear view through to whatever is behind it; a translucent material scatters light so the view behind is blurred; an opaque material blocks light entirely, so its own surface colour is all that's visible.
transparenttranslucentopaque
What it affects
- Perceived depth
- Lightness
- Contrast
Practical advice
Coloured glass, sheer curtains and coloured varnish all rely on what's layered behind them, so the same nominal colour can look quite different over a light versus a dark background.
Always confirm with a physical sample in the actual finish before committing to a large surface — see methodology.
Related terms
Sources
- Colourwise editorial synthesis — Colourwise