Introduction

As essential protective gear for outdooractivities, the visual quality of outdoor jackets directly impacts brand imageand consumer experience; color difference and color fastness are key indicatorsof this quality. Color difference refers to color variations between garmentpanels or between upper and lower garments—excessive disparity compromises theoverall visual appeal. Color fastness reflects a fabric's ability to retain itscolor when exposed to external factors such as light, washing, and friction,directly influencing the product's lifespan in outdoor environments. andweather resistance in finished garments but also serve as vital criteria forbrands regarding incoming material acceptance and the grading of finishedproducts for shipment.

In the European Union, color fastnesstesting for outdoor jacket textiles primarily relies on the ISO 105 series ofstandards. This series establishes a grey scale rating system widely used fortextile testing in the EU market, customs inspections, and quality controlwithin brand supply chains. The CHNSpec DS-700D portable spectrophotometer isspecifically designed for color testing of outdoor composite fabrics andcomplies with these standards. It offers a standardized, quantitative testingsolution for color quality control, suitable for diverse scenarios includingon-site workshop inspections, batch testing in laboratories, and spot checks offinished garments.

I. Key Challenges in Measuring Color Difference and Color Change Fastness in Outdoor Jackets

1. Complex Fabric Surface Texture:

Outdoor jacket fabrics are typically madeof nylon or polyester and feature waterproof, breathable coatings or laminates,resulting in specific surface textures or gloss. Variations in viewing anglesand lighting conditions can lead to perceived color differences.

2. Issues with Fluorescent Materials:

To enhance safety during outdooractivities, some jackets utilize fluorescent fabrics; conventional colorimetersoften struggle to accurately measure the true color of these materials.

3. Small-Area Measurement:

Details such as stitching, zipper edges,and printed logos occupy small surface areas, requiring precise positioning andan appropriate measurement aperture.

4. Subjective Bias in Traditional VisualAssessment:

Traditional assessment methods relying onthe human eye and grey scales are heavily influenced by the light source andthe inspector's subjective judgment, often leading to inconsistent resultsbetween different inspectors or testing times. While ISO 105 outlines visualassessment procedures, it also encourages the use of spectrophotometers forobjective, digital grading to minimize human error.

II. Standardized Testing Procedure forColor Difference and Color Change Fastness in Outdoor Jackets (Based on EU ISO105 Standards)

Measurement Equipment: CHNSpec DS-700DPortable Spectrophotometer

Test Sample: Outdoor jacket sample

01 Instrument and Sample Preparation:

Lay the jacket flat, ensuring themeasurement area is smooth and free of wrinkles. Position the sample to avoidraised areas like seams. If the sample is translucent, fold it into multiplelayers until it is opaque to prevent background interference. Briefly press thepower button to turn on the device and verify that it is functioning correctly.

02 Instrument Calibration:

• White Calibration: Tap "Settings"> "Calibration" on the interface. After confirming the correctaperture, place the instrument into the calibration box as prompted; theinstrument will automatically perform white calibration.

• Black Calibration: Remove the instrumentfrom the calibration box, position the measurement aperture into the blackcalibration box as prompted, and briefly press the measurement button tocomplete the black calibration.

03 Parameter Configuration:

Configure the instrument according to ISO105 standard test conditions, using the D65 standard illuminant and a 10° observer angle.

• Color difference measurement: On theinstrument's main interface, select "Settings > Measurement," thenchoose "Display Parameters > CIE_Lab" and "Color DifferenceFormula > dE*ab."

• Color change fastness measurement: On theinstrument's main interface, select "Settings > Measurement," thenchoose "Display Parameters > Color Fastness" and "ColorDifference Formula > dE*ab."

04 Measuring the Sample:

Remove the instrument case, tap themeasurement function, press the instrument's measurement aperture firmlyagainst the designated area of the sample (ensuring no interference from ambient light), and pressthe measurement button to capture the sample's color data.

05 Measuring the Sample:

Select the "Color Difference"function. Align the instrument's measurement aperture with the correspondingarea of the sample to be tested—following the same procedure used previously—and perform themeasurement. The instrument will automatically compare the color data of thestandard sample against that of the test sample.

06 Data Analysis:

The instrument directly displays the totalcolor difference (dE*ab), individual L*/a*/b* color difference values, and theISO gray scale rating for color fastness to color change. It enables rapidpass/fail assessment against ISO standard limits and allows for the viewing ofspectral curves. The instrument can connect to a computer via USB; using theaccompanying PC software, users can perform data trend analysis, generate testreports compliant with EU testing standards, and print or archive data.

III. Interpretation of Key Applicable Standards in the EU ISO 105 Series

ISO 105 is a comprehensive standard systemfor textile color fastness. For outdoor jackets exported to the EU, colorchange and staining performance are primarily assessed using the followingsub-standards [Rating Explanation: ISO gray scale ratings range from Grade 1 toGrade 5; Grade 5 indicates virtually no color change/staining, while Grade 1indicates severe color change/staining; (4-5) and (3-4) represent half-grades;higher grades indicate better color retention]:

01 Mandatory Requirements for ColorDifference in Finished Garment Appearance

There is no specific ISO product standardfor color difference in finished outdoor jackets; color difference evaluationbetween garment components references ISO 105 A02, "General Principles forColor Assessment." This standard specifies methods for evaluating colordifferences—using CIELAB color difference (ΔE*ab) in conjunction with the ISO gray scale—across seams, between garment panels, and between the top and bottompieces of a matching set.

• Main exposed surfaces of the jacket body(front panels, back panels, sleeves);

• Seam locations (e.g., sleeve seams, sideseams);

• Junctions of composite fabrics or bondedinterlinings;

• Color difference matching between the topand bottom pieces of a jacket set.

Brand clients or EU purchasers typicallyspecify permissible gray scale limits for various parts of the finished garmentwithin their technical specifications. Instrument-measured ΔE*ab values can be directly converted into ISO gray scale color change ratings,serving as a substitute for some visual assessments and thereby reducing human error.

02 ISO 105 Sub-standards Corresponding toVarious Color Fastness Tests

03 Explanation of Instrument Testing Logicunder ISO Standards

ISO 105-A02 specifies that textile color fastness can be rated visually using the grey scale or measured instrumentally with a spectrophotometer to determine CIELAB color difference and convert it into an ISO grey scale rating. The DS-700D supports both SCI and SCE measurement modes; the SCI (Specular Component Included) mode complies with the measurementconditions specified in ISO 105-A02 for glossy coated fabrics, allowing outputdata to be directly converted into ISO grey scale ratings without the need formanual conversion.

Summary

The visual quality and outdoor performanceof technical outerwear (such as shell jackets) depend on color uniformityacross the fabric and resistance to color change after washing or sun exposure.To meet EU market requirements and ISO 105 color fastness standards, the CHNSpec DS700D portable spectrophotometer features an optical design optimized foroutdoor composite coated fabrics.

Compact and portable, the instrument issuitable for deployment in workshops, warehouses, and laboratories. Itsdual-optical-path design minimizes measurement interference caused by fabriccoating gloss, ensuring stable, high-precision color measurement. It directlyoutputs CIELAB color values, total color difference (ΔE),and ISO gray scale ratings, while offering data storage and report exportcapabilities. Replacing traditional visual assessment, it enables fully digitalcolor quality management—covering everything from rawmaterial inspection and finished product sampling to post-test color fastnessevaluation—thereby helping outdoor apparelmanufacturers meet EU ISO 105 standards and client specifications (such asOeko-Tex) and ensure consistent export product quality.

The CHN Spec DS700D portablespectrophotometer provides a high-precision, reliable solution for evaluatingcolor difference and color fastness in technical outerwear. Utilizing adual-optical-path system (SCI+SCE) and D/8 illumination/viewing geometry, theinstrument achieves a repeatability of ΔEab ≤0.02 and an inter-instrument agreement of ΔEab≤0.25, ensuring highly consistent results acrossrepeated tests and multiple units. Specifically developed for textile colorfastness assessment, it features built-in calculation metrics for staining andcolor change fastness and supports nearly 40 light sources to simulate colorperformance in various environments. Equipped with eight interchangeableapertures and a camera-assisted positioning system, it accurately measures bothstandard color patches and small, irregular samples, providing comprehensivedata support for color quality control in export-oriented technical outerwear.