Learn how garment testing helps improve apparel product quality, safety, and performance.
Garment testing can feel like solving a tricky puzzle. You need to ensure that every piece meets strict safety and quality standards, yet the array of tests—from checking durability and colorfastness to assessing shrinkage—can be confusing. Many brands struggle with selecting the right methods, choosing reliable labs, and understanding technical results, all while managing costs and tight production schedules. By breaking down these testing procedures into clear steps, you can confidently meet industry requirements without sacrificing efficiency. For more insights, explore our apparel testing resources.
Let's get started by exploring the essential garment tests and what they mean for your quality assurance process.
What is garment testing?
Can you imagine shipping thousands of garments only to have them returned because they fell apart after one wash? Garment testing helps prevent exactly this kind of costly disaster. At its core, garment testing is a systematic evaluation process that assesses the quality, durability, safety, and performance of textile products before they reach consumers. For detailed guidance, visit our clothing testing help page.
Garment testing serves multiple critical functions in the product development cycle. First, it ensures compliance with regulatory standards across different markets—crucial for brands selling globally where requirements vary significantly between regions like the EU, US, and Asia. Second, it verifies that products meet the brand's own quality specifications and performance claims. Third, it identifies potential issues early in development when corrections are less expensive.
The testing process typically begins during product development with preliminary assessments of materials and continues through various production stages:
- Pre-production testing: Evaluates raw materials and initial samples
- During-production testing: Monitors consistency as items are manufactured
- Post-production testing: Confirms final products meet all requirements
For CPG professionals, implementing a strategic testing program offers tangible benefits:
- Reduced return rates and warranty claims
- Protection of brand reputation
- Prevention of costly recalls
- Improved product longevity and customer satisfaction
While some brands maintain in-house testing facilities, many partner with independent laboratories that offer specialized equipment and certified expertise. The decision between these approaches depends on testing volume, technical requirements, and budget considerations. To learn more about selecting the right product testing companies, explore our resources.
Garment testing methods
Which testing approach will give you the most reliable data for your specific product? Garment testing methods fall into several categories, each designed to evaluate different aspects of performance and quality. For a deeper dive, check out our blog on 11 considerations for apparel brands to improve their wear testing processes.
Physical testing methods
Physical testing examines the structural integrity and mechanical properties of garments:
- Tensile strength testing: Measures how much force a fabric can withstand before breaking
- Abrasion resistance: Determines how well fabrics resist surface wear from friction
- Seam strength: Evaluates the durability of garment construction at stress points
- Pilling resistance: Assesses fabric tendency to form small balls of fiber on the surface
Chemical testing methods
Chemical testing focuses on fabric composition and reaction to various substances:
- Fiber identification: Confirms the actual content matches claimed materials
- pH testing: Ensures fabrics won't irritate skin or cause allergic reactions
- Formaldehyde testing: Checks for harmful chemical residues from manufacturing
- Restricted substance testing: Screens for banned or regulated chemicals
Performance testing methods
Performance testing simulates real-world use conditions:
- Wash testing: Evaluates dimensional stability and appearance after multiple launderings
- Weathering tests: Assesses resistance to sunlight, humidity, and temperature changes
- Comfort testing: Measures properties like moisture management and breathability
- Functional testing: Examines specific features like water repellency or flame resistance
When selecting testing methods, consider your product's intended use, customer expectations, and required compliance standards. A children's raincoat, for example, would need different tests than athletic wear or formal business attire. For more on in-home usage testing, explore our use case.
Most testing methods follow standardized protocols from organizations like ASTM International, ISO, or AATCC, ensuring results are consistent and comparable across different testing facilities. To better understand the process, visit our wear test help page.
Essential tests for evaluating fabric quality: colorfastness, shrinkage, and tear strength
Why do some garments maintain their appearance after months of wear while others fade and deteriorate after just a few uses? The answer often lies in three fundamental quality indicators: colorfastness, shrinkage resistance, and tear strength.
Colorfastness testing
Colorfastness measures how well a fabric retains its color when exposed to various conditions. Poor colorfastness leads to fading, color transfer, and customer dissatisfaction.
Key colorfastness tests include:
- Colorfastness to washing (AATCC Test Method 61): Simulates multiple home launderings to assess color change and staining
- Colorfastness to light (AATCC Test Method 16): Evaluates resistance to fading from exposure to light
- Colorfastness to perspiration (AATCC Test Method 15): Determines if colors bleed when exposed to human sweat
- Colorfastness to rubbing/crocking (AATCC Test Method 8): Measures color transfer when fabric is rubbed against another surface
Results are typically rated on a gray scale from 1 (severe change) to 5 (no change), with 4 or higher considered acceptable for most applications.
Shrinkage testing
Dimensional stability testing assesses how much a fabric changes size after washing and drying. Excessive shrinkage leads to fit issues and consumer returns.
Standard methods include:
- Dimensional change after laundering (AATCC Test Method 135): Measures percentage change in fabric dimensions after washing and drying
- Relaxation shrinkage: Evaluates dimensional changes when fabric is exposed to moisture without mechanical agitation
- Progressive shrinkage: Assesses cumulative dimensional changes over multiple wash cycles
Acceptable shrinkage rates vary by product type but generally range from 3-5% for most adult apparel and as low as 1-2% for fitted items.
Tear strength testing
Tear strength determines how well a fabric resists tearing when snagged or stressed during normal wear. This property is particularly important for active wear, children's clothing, and workwear.
Common tear strength tests include:
- Elmendorf tear test (ASTM D1424): Measures the force required to continue a tear after it has started
- Tongue tear test (ASTM D2261): Evaluates resistance to tearing in a specific direction
- Trapezoid tear test (ASTM D5587): Assesses tear resistance under conditions that more closely simulate actual garment stress
For product developers, these three properties—colorfastness, shrinkage resistance, and tear strength—form the foundation of fabric quality assessment. By systematically testing these characteristics early in development, you can identify potential issues before they become costly problems.
Final Thoughts
Garment testing isn't just a technical requirement—it's the backbone of quality assurance in the textile industry. As we've explored the intricate world of fabric analysis, it's clear that rigorous testing is more than a box to check; it's a critical pathway to creating products that truly meet consumer expectations and industry standards. To see how Highlight has helped major brands like Hanes, check out our case study.
The complexity of garment testing reflects the sophisticated nature of modern textile production. From colorfastness to durability, each test provides a window into a garment's potential performance, helping manufacturers anticipate and address potential issues before products reach consumers. While the process can seem daunting, understanding these methodologies is key to developing high-quality, reliable clothing that stands up to real-world challenges. With our turnkey logistics solutions, managing production schedules and testing becomes more efficient.
At Highlight, we recognize that behind every successful garment is a comprehensive testing strategy. Our product testing software is designed to enhance your testing processes by offering tools for data collection, analysis, and organization, ensuring compliance with industry standards. Additionally, our platform facilitates in-home testing, connecting brands with real consumers to gather actionable insights, thereby streamlining the journey from production to market.
Leveraging advanced data filtering techniques, our software reduces unusable survey data from the typical 30% down to just 1-2%, and it delivers high-quality insights in approximately three weeks—dramatically faster than the months traditional testing can require. By accessing super niche audiences and maintaining completion rates above 90%, Highlight empowers brands to make timely, well-informed decisions that drive product excellence.