Fabric Testing Terms Buyers Should Know

This English reference page organizes buyer-side fabric testing vocabulary for GSM, shrinkage, color fastness, pilling, rubbing, width and bulk approval. It is a terminology page first, not a substitute for the dedicated risk pages.

Fabric testing terms are not only laboratory language. For buyers, terms such as color fastness, shrinkage, pilling and GSM affect sampling decisions, bulk approval, garment complaints and real production cost.

Which testing problem are buyers actually trying to solve?

Most teams search testing terms because one specific risk is already blocking approval. This page gives the shared vocabulary first so the buyer can jump to the right risk page without mixing terms.

Buyer question	Related page	Why that page is more specific
Need a shared testing vocabulary first	The guide	Useful when the team still needs one reference point for multiple tests.
Need a deep guide to color fastness	Color Fastness Guide	Useful when color risk is already the main problem.
Need a deep guide to pilling risk	Pilling Resistance Guide	Useful when abrasion and surface fiber issues are already the main concern.
Need a deep guide to shrinkage and dimensional control	Fabric Shrinkage Guide	Useful when wash change and dimensional stability are already the known risk.

A useful test requirement should connect the fabric to the final garment. A dark sportswear mesh, a soft underwear lining and a workwear fabric do not carry the same risk, even when the specification sheet looks similar.

What terms matter before sampling?

The starting points are GSM, width, shrinkage, color fastness, rubbing fastness, pilling resistance and stretch recovery. These terms help the factory recommend the right yarn, knitting structure and finishing process.

What do the main terms control?

Term	What it controls	When this reference is enough	When to open a focused article
Color fastness	How color behaves under washing, rubbing, sweat or light	Enough when the team only needs a shared definition.	Open the dedicated fastness page when deep shades, staining or retailer requirements are already the main risk.
Shrinkage	Length or width change after wash, steaming or finishing	Enough when the team only needs the basic meaning.	Open the shrinkage page when fit tolerance or dimensional control is already the main problem.
Pilling	Surface fiber entanglement after rubbing or washing	Enough when the buyer only needs the concept and risk name.	Open the pilling page when handfeel, brushed finishes or abrasion complaints are already central.
GSM	Fabric weight per square meter	Enough when the team only needs the shared weight term.	Open the GSM page when cost, opacity, yield or fabric weight tolerance is the real decision point.

Factory checklist before confirming test requirements

• Confirm the final application: sportswear, underwear, swimwear, lining, bag, workwear or decorative use.
• List the tests required by the buyer, retailer or market.
• Check whether the test applies to fabric only or finished garment.
• Confirm target values before sampling, not after bulk fabric is produced.
• Review dark colors, soft finishes, brushed surfaces and high-stretch fabrics as higher-risk items.
• Keep approved lab dips, pre-production samples and test reports linked to the same bulk order.

Testing references

Fabric testing terms should be linked to bulk use conditions, not only sample approval. Useful references include ISO color fastness principles, ISO domestic washing procedures and AATCC textile test methods.