In this article
Short answer: a test report is only useful if it is about your product. Before you read any results, check the laboratory, the sample description, the date, the test methods and the requirement each result is judged against. Then read the results that matter for towels and sheets: weight, size change, colour fastness, strength and pH.
Five checks on page one
| Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Laboratory | A named, accredited lab. Accreditation number shown |
| Sample description | Matches your product: fabric, colour, weight, and ideally your order or style number |
| Date | Recent, and after your sample or bulk was made |
| Who submitted it | The supplier or mill. A report in another company's name needs explaining |
| Report number | So you can verify it with the lab |
A genuine report for a different fabric tells you nothing about yours. This is the most common weakness, more common than forgery.
Reading the results
| Property | What it means | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| Mass per unit area (GSM) | Fabric weight | Compare with your spec and tolerance |
| Dimensional change after washing | Shrinkage | Shown as a percentage for length and width. Minus means shrinkage |
| Colour fastness | Fading and staining | Grades 1 to 5. See colour fastness in plain words |
| Tensile or tear strength | How much force breaks the fabric | Higher is stronger. Compare against a requirement |
| Pilling resistance | Tendency to form bobbles | Grades 1 to 5, where 5 is best |
| Absorbency | How fast water is taken up | Seconds. Lower is better |
| pH | Acidity of the fabric | Close to skin-neutral. Many standards ask for roughly 4.0 to 7.5 |
| Fibre composition | What it is made of | Percentages by weight |
| Thread count or construction | Threads per inch or per cm | For sheets |
Pass against what
A lab measures. It only says "pass" if someone gave it a requirement. Look for a column headed "requirement" or "specification".
- If the requirement is your spec, a pass means what you hope.
- If the requirement is the supplier's own standard, check whether it is as strict as yours.
- If there is no requirement, compare the numbers with your spec yourself.
Test methods
Each result lists a method, usually an ISO, EN, AATCC or ASTM number. You do not need to know them by heart. You do need the same method when comparing two reports, because different methods give different numbers for the same fabric.
Certificates are not test reports
| Document | What it is |
|---|---|
| Test report | Results for one sample on one date |
| OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certificate | Certification that an article type from a named company meets chemical-safety limits, valid for a year |
| Inspection report | A check of finished goods for defects, counts and measurements |
You may want all three. They answer different questions.
Signs a report does not fit your goods
- The colour, weight or fabric described is not yours.
- The date is older than your sample.
- Results are suspiciously perfect: every fastness grade a 5.
- Pages are missing, or the report number cannot be verified.
- The lab is not accredited for the tests shown.
What to ask for
- A report on your approved sample before bulk, for the properties in your spec.
- For large orders, a report on bulk fabric as well.
- The right to send a sample to a lab of your choice.
We supply test reports for the product, and for custom specs we can arrange testing at your request with the cost quoted upfront.
Read more
Our longer guide to reading a textile test report includes an annotated example. To see which results your order should carry, send us your spec.
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Written by
Dr Abin Babu
Founder & Chairman, Anabyn Global Ventures
Anabyn exports hotel and home linen from Kerala, India. These guides come from the questions buyers ask our desk. About the team
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