What Is Color Fastness?
Color fastness is the resistance of the color in a textile product to the effects it encounters during use and maintenance. The ISO 105 series defines a separate test for each effect. Each experiment produces two separate results: color change in the sample and contamination of the white companion fabric with which the sample comes into contact.
Purpose of Color Fastness
The goal is to determine how long the color will last over its lifetime and whether it will stain other products. Color transfer is a common cause of customer complaints, especially when dark products are washed with light-colored products.
Which Products Is Color Fastness Applied To?
- All dyed and printed textile products
- Ready-made garments
- Home textiles
- upholstery fabrics
- Leather and synthetic leather products
In Which Sectors Is Color Fastness Used?
Standards Related to Color Fastness
- TS EN ISO 105-A01 (genel ilkeler)
- TS EN ISO 105-A02 (color change gray scale)
- TS EN ISO 105-A03 (contamination gray scale)
- TS EN ISO 105-F series (companion fabrics)
- TS EN ISO 105-C06, -X12, -E04, -B02, -E01 (textile — impact-based tests)
- TS EN ISO 11640 (leather — back and forth rubbing fastness)
- TS EN ISO 15701 (leather — color migration to polymer material)
- TS EN ISO 17700 (shoe upper materials — color fastness)
Color Fastness Conditions
- companion fabric
- Multi-fiber or mono-fiber white fabric conforming to ISO 105-F series
- Assessment
- Under D65 light source in standard lighting cabinet
- Scale
- 1–5 gri skala; 5 en iyi
Equipment for Color Fastness
- Standard illuminated color evaluation booth
- ISO 105-A02 and A03 gray scales
- Spectrophotometer (for instrumental evaluation)
- Effects-based experimental devices
Sample Requirements for Color Fastness
- Separate samples for each color and each printing pattern
- Sample size is defined in the relevant ISO 105 section
- Accompanying fabric is prepared together with the sample
- An untreated reference sample should be reserved for evaluation.
Duration of Color Fastness
The duration varies depending on the test applied: rubbing fastness may take minutes, washing fastness may take hours, and light fastness may take days depending on the desired level of blue wool.
Color Fastness Procedure
- 1The sample and accompanying fabric are prepared according to the relevant ISO 105 section.
- 2The defined effect (washing, rubbing, sweat, light, water) is applied.
- 3The sample is dried and conditioned.
- 4Color change is evaluated with the A02 scale and contamination with the A03 scale.
- 5At least two evaluators give independent grades.
- 6Notes for each effect are reported separately.
Color Fastness Acceptance Criteria
The standard defines the measurement method, not the passing score. The acceptance threshold is determined by the customer specification; Most retail chains require higher marks for underwear and light colours. When no specification is given, the report reports only the measured grade.
Evaluation of Results
The result is given as a gray scale score of 1–5: color change is evaluated according to the ISO 105-A02 scale, contamination is evaluated according to the ISO 105-A03 scale. 5 means no change, 1 means the most severe change. Intermediate notes (such as 4-5, 3-4) are used.
Color Fastness Report
- Sample description, color and printing information
- ISO 105 parts applied
- Color change note for each experiment
- Contamination note for each fiber in the companion fabric
- Evaluation conditions and light source
Accreditation
EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.
Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Scope and authorisationsRelated Regulations
This test is a method standard and is not directly linked to a legislative provision; Whether it is mandatory or not is determined by the legislation to which the product is subject and the customer specifications. The legislation applicable to your product is notified in writing along with the scope at the proposal stage.
Footwear and Leather Testing — What Does This Testing Field Cover?
The section below describes the field that the Color Fastness test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Footwear and leather testing assesses the physical durability and chemical safety of a product together. Footwear is a MULTI-COMPONENT product: the sole, upper, lining, insole, heel and bonding line are tested both individually and together. One component being good does not mean the product is good; failure usually appears where components join.
On the physical side, the most common field failure is SOLE-UPPER SEPARATION. Bond strength is therefore the most critical measurement in the field and is a direct indicator of the bonding process (surface preparation, adhesive selection, pressing conditions). Next come sole abrasion and flex resistance: a shoe is flexed hundreds of thousands of times over its life.
Slip resistance is the most important parameter for safety and its measurement depends on the surface: wet ceramic, oily steel and dry floor give different results. Slip resistance is therefore reported not as a single number but with the surface and the direction of slip stated.
A separate body of work applies to protective footwear, and this is the most commercially critical distinction. Toe protection (impact and compression), penetration resistance, antistatic behaviour, heat and cold insulation, electrical insulation and fuel resistance are assessed under personal protective equipment requirements. CE is mandatory for these products and the category must be chosen correctly; an ordinary footwear test report does not satisfy that file.
On the chemical side, CHROMIUM (VI) has a special place in leather. The chromium (III) used in tanning can oxidise into chromium (VI) during storage and ageing; that is, a leather that was compliant at production may exceed the limit months later. The time of measurement and the history of the sample therefore affect the result, and measurement after ageing may be required.
Other chemical items are aromatic amines from azo dyes, pentachlorophenol, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, dimethyl fumarate and phthalates. These items come from REACH restrictions and brand restricted substance lists.
There is NO CE marking on consumer footwear; the obligation runs through material composition labelling, compliance with chemical restrictions and general product safety. Labelling has a rule of its own: the type of material used for the upper, the lining and insole and the outer sole is shown by pictograms.
Comfort and functional claims (waterproofness, moisture management, breathability) are supported by separate tests, and these claims require evidence if used in marketing copy.
Method groups in this field
Bonding and strength
Sole-upper bond strength, seam strength, heel attachment strength, strap and buckle strength.
Abrasion and flexing
Sole abrasion, flex resistance (dry and at low temperature), insole abrasion.
Slip resistance
Forward and backward slip measurements on wet ceramic, oily steel and dry floor.
Protective properties
Toe impact and compression resistance, penetration resistance, antistatic behaviour, heat and cold insulation, fuel and chemical resistance.
Leather chemistry
Chromium (VI), azo dye amines, pentachlorophenol, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, pH and fat content.
Comfort and function
Waterproofness, water vapour permeability, moisture management, colour fastness and the effect of perspiration.
Commonly confused in this field
- Footwear claiming a protective function falls under PPE legislation and requires CE; a consumer footwear test report does not satisfy that file.
- A chromium (VI) result depends on the age of the sample and its storage conditions; leather compliant at production may exceed the limit later.
- Slip resistance is not a single number; it cannot be interpreted without stating the surface and the direction.
- A result obtained for one component does not cover the whole product; the joints are tested separately.
- Labelling rules run on material pictograms; an incorrect pictogram causes problems in customs and market surveillance.
- A waterproofness claim is not verifiable unless the test used and the number of flex cycles after which it was measured are stated.
Which decisions these results support
- Compliance with the brand restricted substance list
- The PPE category and CE file for protective footwear
- Supplier and lot-based acceptance control
- Root cause analysis of field complaints (bond opening, sole separation)
- Substantiation of functional claims
Related Tests
Frequently Asked Questions About Color Fastness
Is a single fastness test enough?
It is not enough. Each effect is a separate experiment: a wash-resistant color may fade in the light, a light-resistant color may bleed with sweat. The way the product is used determines what tests are required.
Why is the companion fabric so fibrous?
Because color transfer varies depending on the fiber type. The multi-fibre companion fabric combines acetate, cotton, nylon, polyester, acrylic and wool strips; Thus, it is seen which fiber is contaminated in a single test.
Is ISO 105 also used for leather products?
The rating scales (A02/A03) are common, but the experiments are different. ISO 11640 is used for back and forth rubbing on leather, ISO 15701 is used for color migration to polymer, and ISO 17700 is used for shoe upper materials. A fastness report for textiles does not include the leather component.