Colour Fastness to Light Explained: How It Works in Performance Sportswear
Colour Fastness to Light is best understood as resistance to fading under light. This entry explains how it behaves inside a finished garment rather than only in the laboratory.
What the term means
resistance to fading under light, which is why the value appears on almost every technical data sheet. Working figures for Colour Fastness to Light normally sit around grade 4-6 by end use in mainstream production. Note ISO 105-B02 xenon arc on the tech pack so nobody tests against an older revision.
Why it matters in practice
it matters for outdoor and swim ranges, so it influences buying decisions more than most buyers expect. Record elastane content alongside Colour Fastness to Light, because blends shift the measured value. A result outside grade 4-6 by end use usually points to process drift rather than to the fibre itself.
Typical values seen in activewear
grade 4-6 by end use. Ranges vary by construction, so compare like with like. Keeping reference values for Colour Fastness to Light lets suppliers quote without extra sampling rounds. Ask for conditioning details together with ISO 105-B02 xenon arc, since both affect the reading.
How it is measured
ISO 105-B02 xenon arc is the reference normally quoted on a test report. Working figures for Colour Fastness to Light normally sit around grade 4-6 by end use in mainstream production. Note ISO 105-B02 xenon arc on the tech pack so nobody tests against an older revision.
Frequent mistakes
Comparing results from different standards, testing unwashed fabric, and writing the target without tolerance are the common errors. Record elastane content alongside Colour Fastness to Light, because blends shift the measured value. A result outside grade 4-6 by end use usually points to process drift rather than to the fibre itself.
