Garment-Dyed T-Shirt Colorfastness Testing: Buyer Guide

Separate laundering and rubbing risks

Laundering and rubbing expose a dyed garment to different conditions. A wash test evaluates how the color responds to a defined laundering procedure and whether released color stains adjacent materials. A rubbing test evaluates whether color transfers through friction, commonly under separate dry and wet conditions.

Treat the results independently. A garment can show acceptable color change after laundering but still transfer noticeable color during wet rubbing. This distinction matters for dark garment-dyed T-shirts, contrast trims, light-colored accessories and products likely to be worn against pale garments or upholstery.

Do not turn this observation into a universal claim about all garment-dyed products. The actual risk depends on the dye system, shade, substrate, finishing route and intended use, so the purchase specification should define what must be verified for the specific order.

Select and record the complete test procedure

A standard number by itself is incomplete. Record the method and edition, the selected procedure or option, detergent and additives where applicable, temperature, time, mechanical action, specimen preparation, adjacent fabric, conditioning and evaluation method. Ask the laboratory to confirm which details are required by the chosen procedure.

ISO 105-C06 covers methods for determining resistance of textile color to domestic and commercial laundering using a reference detergent. ISO 105-X12 specifies a method for determining resistance to rubbing and staining, with separate dry and wet rubbing tests available.

If a buyer program uses another recognized method, document that method instead of mixing requirements from different systems. The supplier, buyer and laboratory should all work from the same written test request.

Method references: ISO 105-C06:2010 · ISO 105-X12:2016.

Define samples that represent the order

Identify the exact style, fabric composition, garment color, production wash, decoration, trim and sample revision. Testing an unwashed fabric swatch does not automatically represent a finished garment that later receives garment dye, softening, abrasion or printing.

Build a sample plan around the order's actual color and component risks. Buyers may decide to include selected dark shades, contrast combinations, printed or embroidered areas and more than one production lot. The plan should state the required specimens rather than relying on an undocumented laboratory choice.

Record whether the test is performed on a development sample, pre-production sample or production-representative garment. A passing development sample should not be described as proof for an unidentified bulk lot.

Set acceptance criteria before testing

Color change and staining are different observations and should have separate acceptance criteria. Rubbing results should distinguish dry and wet conditions. State the relevant scale, minimum grade or buyer decision rule for every required result before submitting the sample.

There is no single acceptance grade that suits every apparel program. Product color, end use, care instructions, buyer policy and destination-market requirements can change the decision. Ask the buyer's quality team or nominated laboratory to confirm the applicable criteria instead of copying an unexplained number from another order.

Also state how borderline or failed results will be handled. Possible actions include technical review, a corrected sample, retesting under the unchanged procedure or a documented buyer decision. Do not silently lower a limit after seeing the result.

Connect the report to bulk approval

The test report should identify the specimen, method, procedure, conditions, results and evaluation scale. It should separate color change, staining, dry rubbing and wet rubbing wherever those checks apply. Photographs can support the record but should not replace the reported evaluation.

Link the report to the approved sample and specification revision. Before bulk release, confirm that the material, shade, wash route, decoration and care instructions still match the tested version. If a relevant input changes, review whether new testing is required.

Keep colorfastness approval separate from other controls such as measurements, dimensional change, appearance, workmanship and packaging. Passing one test does not authorize the entire garment unless the complete approval plan says so.