What are the colour fastness tests for printed and dyed textiles?

The colour fastness test for printed and dyed textiles is a method of testing whether the colour of printed and dyed textiles (e.g. clothing, bedding, etc.) will fade or bleed out under different conditions. These conditions include water, perspiration, washing, exposure to the sun, etc.

Common colour fastness testing methods include the following:

Dry rubbing method: The specimen is placed with a white cotton cloth and rubbed back and forth in a dry state to assess whether the colour comes off.

Wet rubbing method: The sample is rubbed back and forth with white cotton fabric in a saturated state to assess whether the colour is peeling off.

Water wash method: The specimens are immersed in water, then squeezed and compared for colour differences to untreated specimens.

Sweat test method: The colour fastness of the specimen is tested by simulating the sweat conditions produced by the human body.

Light method: exposing the specimen to sunlight and observing whether the colour changes.

These test methods can help manufacturers understand whether their products are prone to fading or bleeding during use, thus improving the quality and reliability of their products.

The following factors should be considered when choosing a textile colour fastness tester:

1. The purpose of the test: Different test purposes require different test methods to be selected. For example, if you are testing the durability of a dye during washing, you should choose the washing colour fastness test; if you are testing the durability of a dye during rubbing, you should choose the rubbing colour fastness test.

2. Test standards: Different countries and regions may have different test standards and you should choose a test method that meets the local standards.

3. Test samples: Different textile materials and dye types require different test methods to be selected. For example, for natural and synthetic fibres, different test methods should be selected.

4. Equipment conditions: Different test methods require different test equipment and conditions and a test method should be selected that meets the laboratory conditions.

5. Budget: Different test methods have different prices and the appropriate test method should be selected according to the laboratory's budget.