Resolving Fabric Color-Related Hand Feel & Thickness Discrepancies: DZX Apparel’s Successful Collaboration with a Dubai Customer

In September 2025, we embarked on a custom hoodie sampling journey with a Dubai customer, a project that highlighted our commitment to quality and problem-solving.

First, we used our in-stock black ribbed fabric to create a rapid sample for the Dubai customer to confirm fit, style, material, and hand feel. The client was fully satisfied with the first sample. However, when we produced the second sample with the client’s chosen white ribbed collar in September 2025, the hand feel and thickness differed from the black version—a common issue when fabrics vary in color.

The core reason lies in dyeing/finishing processes, raw material batch variations, and production environment fluctuations:

Dyeing Differences: Dark colors require higher dye concentrations and high-temperature processing, creating a fiber coating and shrinking fibers for a thicker, stiffer feel. Lighter colors (like white) use lower concentrations and milder conditions, resulting in softer textures.

Finishing Treatments: Dark fabrics undergo extra color-fixing for durability, enhancing stiffness. Lighter fabrics (such as white) receive softening treatments for smoothness.

Raw Material & Environment: Minor fiber differences in batches are amplified by dyeing, while small temperature/pressure changes affect final fabric properties.

To meet the Dubai customer’s requirements, we implemented four targeted adjustments in September 2025:

Dyeing Process Optimization: Increased white dye concentration with high-fixation dyes, and slightly raised dyeing temperature/duration to enhance thickness and firmness.

Finishing Adjustments: Boosted setting machine pressure and extended setting time for tighter fabric, while reducing softener usage to avoid excessive softness.

Raw Material Control: Used the same base fabric batch as the black ribbed collar and pre-treated it with setting/compacting to match the desired texture.

Unified Production & Testing: Replicated the black collar’s production parameters (temperature, pressure, time) and tested samples to ensure consistency before mass production.

At DZX Apparel, we combine technical expertise, strict quality control, and customer-centric solutions to tackle apparel manufacturing challenges. This successful collaboration with the Dubai customer in September 2025 showcases our ability to adapt and deliver consistent quality, even when facing fabric color-related discrepancies.

We are actively seeking partnerships with more international brands, offering custom sampling, quality manufacturing, and tailored solutions to bring your apparel ideas to life. Let’s build successful collaborations together!