Lab Dip

A lab dip is a small piece of fabric dyed in a controlled laboratory environment to achieve a specific target color. It serves as the color approval sample before committing to bulk dyeing production, ensuring that both buyer and supplier agree on exactly what shade will be produced.

The lab dip process begins when the buyer submits a color target—typically a Pantone reference, physical swatch, or digital color file. The dye house then develops a recipe, selecting appropriate dyes, calculating concentrations, and determining process parameters for the specific fiber content and fabric construction. Sample dyeing follows, usually on 10–50 grams of fabric under carefully controlled conditions. If the first attempt doesn't match, the recipe is adjusted and the process repeated until an acceptable result is achieved.

Color evaluation combines instrumental measurement with visual assessment. A spectrophotometer measures the sample against the target and calculates Delta E, a numerical expression of color difference. A Delta E of 1.0 or less indicates an excellent match that most observers cannot distinguish from the target. Values up to 1.5 are generally acceptable for commercial applications, though critical end uses may demand tighter tolerances. Visual assessment under a D65 standard light source confirms the instrumental reading, while checking under multiple light sources reveals any metamerism—the phenomenon where two colors match under one light but diverge under another.

Lab dips typically measure 10×10cm to 20×20cm, with suppliers usually providing three to five options per color to give buyers choices within the acceptable range. Turnaround time runs five to ten working days, and most mills charge per color, often refunding or crediting the fee against subsequent orders.

Industry best practice calls for always approving lab dips before authorizing bulk production, retaining approved samples for reference during and after production, specifying acceptable tolerance levels upfront, and considering the lighting conditions where the finished product will be used. Skipping this step to save time frequently results in costly rejections or compromised quality in the final goods.