Lab Testing Procedure of Dyed and Printed Fabric

Question: Is the lab test done before dyeing the fabric & printing? Please explain the stages and how to get these approved? … asked by Amita

Yes, partially, the lab test can be done prior to fabric dyeing and printing process. At that stage physical properties of a fabric, such as yarn counts, fabric construction (EPI and PPI), fibre contents etc. can be tested. Though fabric tests (Fabric Package Test) can be done after dyeing and printing process.

Normally fabric parameters are tested on finished fabric or on the finished garment. Each buyer has a set of test requirements which are mentioned in their quality manual and a copy of test requirements is forwarded to their nominated labs.

For fabric package testing (FPT) you have to send fabric samples to the testing labs that are nominated by your buyer. The testing lab will do all tests that are required by the buyer for approval of your fabric that is going to be used in garment making.

If you are only looking for dyeing and printing testing done from the lab for buyer approval then send dyed and printed fabric sample to the nominated testing lab in your location and ask a testing team to perform only printing and dyeing related test.

In this case generally, the following parameters are tested

• Color fastness test (to wash, daylight, perspiration)
• Color fastness to rubbing
• Color bleeding
• Chemical test for toxic material and carcinogenic contents.

After the lab test, the lab will provide you with a complete fabric test report. This report will contain buyer requirement for each test parameters and actual test result on each parameter. When the test result meets the buyer test requirement, you get fabric approved report.

You have to submit a copy of the Lab test report to your buyer for the approval of the further process for fabric.

See  Also: What is GPT and FPT in Textile Testing?