Colorfastness to washing
Colour change and staining assessment after laundering under defined conditions.
Service 03
Colorfastness & Durability
Evaluation of how colour and surface hold up against washing, rubbing, light, and everyday wear.
Service 03
Colorfastness & Durability
Overview
What this service is for.
Colour problems generate a disproportionate share of consumer complaints and returns. Colorfastness testing simulates the conditions a product will meet in ownership and grades how well the colour survives them. SHINE coordinates the method set that matches how your product is actually used.
What's Covered
Scope of work
Rubbing & crocking
Dry and wet rub-fastness evaluation for transfer onto adjacent surfaces.
Perspiration fastness
Acid and alkaline perspiration response for garments worn against skin.
Light fastness
Fading behaviour under controlled light exposure for products with display or outdoor use.
Water & sea water
Colour stability for swimwear and products exposed to prolonged wetting.
Wear simulation
Combined durability assessment reflecting realistic patterns of use.
What You Get
Outcomes you can act on.
- Graded results against the recognised grey scale, comparable across suppliers and seasons.
- Clarity on which specific fastness property is driving a marginal result.
- Direction on whether the issue sits with the dye selection, the process, or the finishing.
Need help scoping this?
If you are not certain this is the right service for your product, tell us the category and the requirement. We will confirm whether this is what you need — or point you at what is.
Talk To UsCommon Questions
Colorfastness & Durability — frequently asked
It depends on how the product is used. A swim short and a curtain fail in completely different ways. Tell us the end use and we will shortlist the fastness properties that carry real risk for that category.
Fastness is graded on a scale where 5 is no change and 1 is severe. Most buyer protocols set a minimum of 3-4 or 4. We tell you where your result sits relative to the requirement you are working to.
Deep and saturated shades are the hardest to pass, particularly on wet rub. Testing early on a lab dip, rather than on bulk, gives you room to adjust the recipe before it becomes costly.
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Often scoped alongside this one.
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Softlines Testing
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Chemical Safety
Support for restricted substance screening, material risk review, and chemical safety requirements.
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Flammability & Shrinkage
Safety and structural integrity testing for categories where product failure carries legal and commercial cost.
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Ready to move forward with colorfastness & durability?
Share the product category, the service requirement, and your timeline. SHINE will come back with a clear scope, a realistic turnaround, and the next step.