Golden Sample, Shade Band, Size Tolerance: Three Documents That Stop Disputes

Short answer: most quality disputes are arguments about what was agreed. Three things settle them in advance: a signed reference sample held by both sides, an agreed range of acceptable shade, and tolerances written as numbers.

1. The golden sample

This is the approved sample, sealed and signed. Make two.

• Both pieces come from the same sampling run.
• Each is tagged with the order number, date and both signatures.
• You keep one. The supplier keeps one.
• Bulk goods are compared with it at inspection.

Wording you can use: *"Bulk production shall conform to the approved reference sample dated [date], held by both parties, in construction, weight, hand-feel and workmanship."*

2. The shade band

No dye house can hit exactly the same shade every time. A shade band is a set of small swatches showing the lightest and darkest versions you will accept, with the target in the middle.

• For white, agree the white against your reference in daylight.
• For colours, approve a lab dip first, then agree the lighter and darker limits.
• State the light source used for comparison. Daylight is the usual choice.

Wording: *"Shade to fall within the approved shade band. All pieces in one shipment to be from one dye lot where quantity allows. Shade assessed in daylight."*

3. Tolerances

A tolerance says how far a piece may differ from the target and still pass.

These are common starting points, not standards. Agree your own with your supplier. Tighter tolerances are possible and cost more, because more pieces are rejected at the unit.

Wording: *"Finished size 70 x 140 cm after wash, tolerance plus or minus 2 percent. Piece weight 540 g, tolerance plus or minus 5 percent."*

Where the three documents live

Attach all three to the purchase order and refer to them on the proforma invoice. An inspector, yours or ours, then has something to inspect against.

What they don't replace

They don't replace inspection. They make inspection meaningful. See what a 2 percent defect allowance means in a 2,000-piece order.

Build yours

The specification generator produces a spec sheet with tolerance fields, and our spec sheet guide explains each line. When the spec is ready, send it with your quote request.