It is not nearly as bright as it is in the pictures on the ad. it's too big a difference to be just monitor differences. It is a perfect thickness, and seems to be great quality, otherwise. I dont understand why they wouldn't offer matching sheets. Maybe they did, and I missed them. I am weird about things matching. I just paired them with black sheets. The top, colored part is a little stiff, but I am sure it will soften when it gets washed, the backside is black, and soft microfiber, I believe.