Added 2026-10-15 from trending overseas buyer search questions. We update this centre daily.
When you read a fabric lab report, the number on it is only meaningful with the test method and edition named next to it. The same roll of cloth can return different numbers under two different methods — different specimen size, different temperature, different pressure, even a different 1–5 scale. A "Grade 4" under one standard is not the same promise as "Grade 4" under another. So the first question on any spec is not "what did it score?" but "tested to which method, which edition?"
Three standard systems cover most woven-fabric sourcing, and they grew up to serve different markets:
| System | Where it leads | What it is best at |
|---|---|---|
| ISO | Europe, Asia and international export | Broad comparability and repeatability across suppliers and regions; the default for cross-border sourcing. |
| ASTM | North American supply chains | Mechanical stress, load and durability — common for workwear, bags and structural textiles. |
| AATCC | North America, colour & care | Colour fastness and care simulation (washing, rubbing, perspiration) — the standard body for appearance-related risk. |
None is "better" overall; they simply emphasise different things. ISO methods are often gentler than real consumer use, while ASTM tends to push mechanical stress harder. AATCC is the one to reach for when the failure mode is about colour or washing, not breaking.
A consolidated map of the properties buyers ask about most. Where we list both columns, the methods measure the same property but are not interchangeable — state which one your PO requires.
| Property | ISO | ASTM / AATCC |
|---|---|---|
| Mass per unit area (GSM) | ISO 3801 | ASTM D3776 |
| Fabric width | ISO 22198 | ASTM D3774 |
| Woven thread density | ISO 7211-2 | ASTM D3775 |
| Colour fastness (wash / rub / light / perspiration) | ISO 105 series (e.g. C06, X12, B02, E04) | AATCC 61 / 8 / 16 / 15 |
| Dimensional stability (shrinkage) | ISO 6330 | AATCC 135 |
| Air permeability | ISO 9237 | ASTM D737 |
| Tensile strength | ISO 13934-1 / 13934-2 | ASTM D5034 / D5035 |
| Tear strength | ISO 13937-1 | ASTM D1424 |
| Bursting strength (knits) | ISO 13938-1 | ASTM D3786 |
| Pilling | ISO 12945-2 | ASTM D3512 |
| Martindale abrasion | ISO 12947 | ASTM D4966 |
| Spray / water repellency | ISO 4920 | AATCC 22 |
| Hydrostatic pressure (waterproofness) | ISO 811 | AATCC 127 |
| UV protection (UPF) | EN 13758-1 | AATCC 183 (AS/NZS 4399 in Australasia) |
| Moisture wicking | (MMT-style methods available) | AATCC 79 / 195 / 197 |
| Seam slippage | ISO 13936-1 / 13936-2 | ASTM D1683 |
| Hand feel (stiffness) | (bending-length method) | ASTM D1388 |
| Skew / bow / spirality | ISO 16322 | ASTM D3882 / AATCC TM179 / TM207 |
For yarn count and blend ratio, see our composition guide; for how the numbers read on a spec sheet, see how to read a fabric spec.
A fabric can pass every required lab test and still fail commercially. Standards simplify reality: fixed pressure, uniform motion, controlled environment. Real use is irregular force, repeated flexing, oils, dirt and detergent. Lab abrasion is not the same as movement at a stitched corner; a few wash cycles are not a consumer's lifetime. Treat standards as a screening tool, not a guarantee, and layer use-case simulation on top when the garment is demanding.
We test to the method and edition you name and record it on the report — state the method, edition, conditioning and acceptance level at enquiry. Our integrated mill (yarn dyeing → weaving → fabric dyeing → printing → finishing) runs in-line and final inspection on one site, so a development can move between routes without a second supplier. Our standard woven range — poplin, twill, canvas, oxford, chambray, yarn-dyed shirting and more — is woven in-house. We hold OEKO-TEX, GRS, GOTS, OCS and BCI; certificate numbers are available on request via the compliance page. Minimum order is 2,000 metres per colour; sampling is charged and fully deducted against the bulk order; lead time is confirmed in writing at enquiry.
No. They use different specimen sizes, temperatures, pressures and sometimes different rating scales, so the same fabric can return different numbers. Always request the same named method and edition from every supplier you compare.
ISO is the common ground for Europe, Asia and most export programmes; AATCC and ASTM dominate North American retail specs. If you ship to both, specifying the ISO method usually covers the widest overlap — but follow what your brand manual or PO names.
No. Standards screen risk under simplified, controlled conditions; real use involves irregular force, repeated flexing and contamination. Treat a pass as a strong signal, not a guarantee, and add use-case simulation for demanding garments.
Yes. We test to the method and edition you specify and record it on the report. Give us the method, edition, conditioning procedure and acceptance level at enquiry so there is no ambiguity at bulk approval.