Direct answer
For dark sportswear, specify wash, crock and perspiration colourfastness grades on the PO for body fabric and decoration. Approve lab dips and washed garments under the brand’s real wash claim, and lock dye-lot tolerance before colour MOQ.
| Test | Why it matters | Buyer action |
|---|---|---|
| Wash | Bleed into light garments | Set grade + wash recipe |
| Dry / wet crock | Transfer to skin & equipment | Reject soft fails on black/navy |
| Perspiration | Gym sweat exposure | Include on dark training knits |
| After decoration | Heat can shift shade | Re-test print/transfer zones |
Why dark colours fail first
Deep blacks, navies and burgundy show crocking and wash bleed early. Gym contact with light liners, towels and equipment makes transfer visible to end customers.
Minimum asks
Request colourfastness to wash, dry/wet crocking and perspiration on the body fabric and on printed/transfer zones. Record method and grade targets on the PO.
Sampling discipline
Approve lab dips and garment washes under the same detergent and temperature the brand will claim. Dark shades need extra scrutiny after branding heat.
Commercial note
Rush dye lots without shade continuity notes create season-to-season mismatch. Ask for dye-lot tolerance before you scale colour.
Common mistakes
- Approving colour from a screen photo
- Skipping crock tests on deep navy/black
- Changing wash claims after PPS
Buyer advice
- Approve under store lighting and daylight when possible
- Keep a sealed shade standard per colour
- Link colour approval to the same mill lot path
Buyer FAQ
Questions procurement usually asks next
Are recycled yarns harder on dark shades?
They can be. Demand the same colourfastness grades — do not relax the PO because the yarn story is green.
What about tonal branding?
Still test. Soft heat transfers and silicone can change local shade and crock behaviour.
When is a remake justified?
When wash or crock grades miss the PO, or when dye-lot drift exceeds the agreed tolerance.
Evaluate styles
From this insight → library products
Open a sample path on a live block — then confirm fabric platform and MOQ on the RFQ.
Downloadable library summary: Lookbook PDF. Legal entity: Guangzhou Elevia Apparel Technology Co., Ltd.