Illustrative situation
A customer says a navy T-shirt left blue marks on a light sofa and on a white bag strap. The brand wants to know what test would have caught this and what grade to ask suppliers for.
Main answer
Crocking is the transfer of colour from a coloured fabric to another surface by rubbing, and it is measured with a standard rubbing test in both dry and wet conditions. Dark, heavily dyed colours are the most likely to transfer, so ask the supplier for a crocking result on your exact colour and agree a minimum grade for dry and wet rubbing.
What crocking is
When a dyed fabric is rubbed against another surface, loose dye or pigment particles can come off and mark it. The effect is greater in wet conditions, such as sweat or rain, and with deep shades. It is different from colour loss in washing, though both come from dye that is not firmly held.
What the tests measure
AATCC TM8 is designed to determine the amount of colour transferred from the surface of coloured textile materials to other surfaces by rubbing, using white test cloth squares dry and wet. ISO 105-X12 is the international method for colour fastness to rubbing, covering dry and wet rubbing with a reciprocating device and assessing the staining on the white cotton rubbing cloth with a grey scale. Both give a grade for staining.
How to specify and read it
Ask for dry and wet crocking grades and say which method you want. Higher grades mean less transfer. Set a minimum for each condition, often stricter for dry than wet in practice but agree with your market. Ask the supplier to test the actual colour and fabric, because results differ by shade. Dark colours often need extra wash-off and fixation steps.
What to do if a colour fails
Ask the factory to improve wash-off or fixation, change the dye system, or use a different shade. Check that a garment wash is not hiding the issue by only removing surface dye. Add a care note to wash dark colours separately. See product options on T-shirts and hoodies.
Fact, recommendation, uncertainty
- Established fact
- AATCC TM8 and ISO 105-X12 measure colour transfer by rubbing, using white test cloth in dry and wet conditions.
- Recommendation
- Ask for dry and wet crocking grades on your actual colours and agree minimum grades before bulk.
- Uncertainty
- A single lab grade does not describe every real-world contact, such as strong sweat or rough surfaces.
Sources and further reading
Sources checked on 24 October 2026. Standards bodies sell the full texts; we cite what their public pages state. General information, not legal or technical certification advice.
More perspectives from the team
Three further views on the same question, each by function. They add conditions and limits to the main answer; they are editorial notes, not customer reviews.
Sino Finetex Editorial Team Sourcing
Include the test method and grades in the quotation, and ask who pays for re-testing if a lot fails. Limit: grades from an older lot do not cover a new dye lot. Ask whether the quoted colour has a history of low crocking grades at the factory, and what it does to improve them.
Sino Finetex Editorial Team Product selection
Be extra cautious with navy, black and deep red in light-coloured use cases, such as bags and sofas. Limit: avoiding dark colours is not always possible, so test them. Offer a care note on dark colours, since many customers do not expect transfer in sweat or rain.
Sino Finetex Editorial Team Quality & care
Run a quick wet rub with a white cloth on received samples, in addition to lab tests. Limit: a quick rub is not a standardised grade. Rub a white cloth wet on the sample’s seat or sleeve area, where friction is highest, as an extra check.
Related products
- M8312 410GSM Half-Zip French Terry Hoodie
Sino Finetex product page
- DY068 Boxy Fit Cropped Fleece Hoodie
Sino Finetex product page
- T-Shirt Manufacturer
Sino Finetex product page
- Undershirts Manufacturer
Sino Finetex product page
Related articles and topics
- TalkWhy does dye bleed between contrast panels or stripes?
- TalkWhy does a black hoodie fade after washing, and what limits it?
- Underwear Dye Fastness and Color Consistency for Bulk Orders
- Controlling Shrinkage, Colorfastness and Fit
- How Does Durability Testing Ensure Sportswear Lasts 100+ Washes?
- What Is Screen Printing And How Does It Work For Apparel?
- How fast does it dry from soaked to dry?
- How Can Custom Firefighter T-Shirt Manufacturers Ensure Dark-Wash Color Retention and Flame Resistance?
