ZATEX PROMO · FABRIC EVIDENCE

Colourfastness to Rubbing: A B2B Fabric Buying Guide

Colourfastness to rubbing is a useful question when a purchasing team wants to understand colour transfer from a textile surface. For European and US buyers sourcing branded apparel or textile bags, ask what the available evidence covers before accepting a general statement such as “good colourfastness”.

This guide focuses on rubbing, also called crocking. It complements our garment colour matching guide, which addresses selecting and approving colour references rather than transfer under a test procedure.

What does colourfastness to rubbing measure?

The official AATCC TM8 overview describes a method for evaluating colour transferred from coloured textile material to another surface through rubbing. It includes procedures using dry and water-wetted white test cloths under controlled conditions. The transferred colour is assessed and a grade assigned.

AATCC also notes that treatments such as washing and finishing can affect transfer, so the state of the tested material matters. This summary explains the purchasing question; it is not an instruction for performing the standard or a declaration that any ZATEX product has passed it.

Describe the concern in your product brief

Tell the supplier how the product will be used and which material or area you want reviewed. Identify the actual colour, fabric specification and any decoration involved. If your customer has a written testing requirement, share the complete requirement rather than only a target grade copied from another quotation.

For branded polos, custom hoodies or textile bags, link the request to the specific proposed option. Ask the supplier or testing provider to determine the appropriate method and scope for that option.

Keep dry and wet results separate

When reviewing a report, check whether it includes dry testing, wet testing or both. Do not copy one result into a combined “pass” field without retaining its conditions. Ask for clarification if a supplier’s summary omits which procedure produced the reported value.

Also retain the method designation, edition and assessment information. Before comparing two reports, ask whether they cover comparable specimens and conditions. Avoid ranking suppliers from isolated numbers without that context.

Identify the material behind the report

Record the sample reference, material description, colour and relevant production or development version. Ask how the submitted specimen relates to the material in your quotation. If a report covers a different colour or an earlier material option, request an explanation of its relevance rather than assuming it applies automatically.

For a decorated product, identify whether the review concerns the base fabric, the decoration or a specified area of the finished article. The testing provider should confirm suitability for the intended specimen. Keep this scope in the approval notes.

Use a report review checklist

Use the checklist to ask questions, not to invent a universal pass level. Agree the required criterion with the appropriate supplier or testing provider before commissioning work. Retain the full report beside the quotation and specification.

Do not substitute a rubbing result for other approvals

Keep rubbing evidence in its own record. Review colour matching, fit, measurements, surface appearance and decoration separately within the project. A result tied to one procedure should not become a general claim that the whole garment meets every quality requirement.

Our printed clothing wash review guide addresses a different review task. Use the sample approval checklist to combine the relevant decisions while preserving their individual scope.

Confirm testing arrangements in the quotation

Ask what evidence is already available and what additional work would require agreement. Identify sample preparation, any external assessment, reporting and shipping costs separately where applicable. Confirm who receives the report and how outstanding results affect production approval.

ZATEX works from customer briefs. This article does not promise a fixed testing package, grade, minimum quantity or lead time. Materials, requested assessments and timing need confirmation for the individual order.

Frequently asked questions

Can we use a home rubbing check instead of a report?

You can record a practical observation, but do not label it a standardised test result. If your purchasing specification requires formal evidence, ask a suitable testing provider to define and perform the required assessment.

Does matching our brand colour resolve this question?

Keep the two approvals separate: one records the selected appearance and reference; the other concerns evidence from a specified transfer assessment.

What should we send with an enquiry?

Send the product, intended use, quantity, colour references, artwork and destination. Include any buyer testing specification and identify the material or decorated area you want assessed.