Lab Dips, Strike-Offs and Color Approvals for Apparel
Learn how lab dips, strike-offs and color approvals help apparel buyers control shade, comments and production decisions before bulk production.
Color approval should connect a named standard to the actual material and process. A screen image is useful for direction but unreliable as the final production reference. Lab dips and strike-offs let buyers review how color or print appears on the intended substrate before bulk work proceeds.
Use a lab dip for dyed material
A lab dip is a small dyed sample prepared against a color reference. Review it on the intended fabric because fiber, construction and finish change how color appears. Identify the selected option and keep the approval date and version.
Use a strike-off for print
A strike-off tests print color, scale, repeat, registration and technique on representative material. It should be reviewed for both artwork accuracy and how the print behaves on the fabric.
Define viewing and tolerance
Lighting changes color perception. State the reference standard, viewing condition and acceptable tolerance when those details are important. Physical standards should be protected from fading, dirt and mix-ups.
Control changes after approval
If fabric, finish, print method or supplier changes, the earlier approval may no longer represent production. Record whether reapproval is required instead of assuming that a color name remains sufficient.
Practical application
A common mistake to avoid
Approving color from a phone or laptop screen is unreliable because displays, lighting and image processing differ. Another mistake is approving a dip on one fabric and assuming it controls another material or finish without review.
What to record
Use a color approval sheet with standard code, substrate, process, option number, comments, approver and date. Photographing the sample can support communication, but keep the physical or measured reference identified as the controlling approval.
How to use this in a supplier conversation
Ask how many options will be submitted, what light source is used and whether the bulk lot will be checked against the selected standard. For print, confirm scale and registration as well as color. Reapprove when a material or process change makes the old reference unreliable.
Buyer checklist
- Color standard or reference code
- Fabric and finish
- Selected lab-dip option
- Print scale and repeat
- Approval record and retained sample
MANRALIN perspective
MANRALIN organizes color decisions with the product specification so that the approved reference remains visible during sample and production review.
Review quality coordination or Share your color requirements.