BS 5742:1989 download.Specification for Textile labels requiring to be washed and / or dry cleaned.
1 Scope
BS 5742 specifies the materials, design and method of application of labels and name tapes ror garments and other made-up textile articles. It also specifies the colour-fastness requirements of the markings on garment labels and name tapes when subjected to methods for washing, rubbing. dry cleaning, washing in the presence of sodium hypochiorite, and perspiration. Requirements are given for both general-purpose and heavy-duty products.
NOTE I The term labels” hereafter in BS 5742 covers both labels and name tapes.
NOTE 2 The titles of the publications referred to in this standard are listed on the inside back cover.
2 General-purpose labels
2.1 Materials and design
The materials shall be composed of fibres and colours that will withstand the washing and ironing temperatures given in the care instructions on the article.
For coloured labels, the colour fastness of the ground fabric of the label shall be not less than that of the markings.
NOTE 1 The degree of dimensional stability in relation to washing and dry cleaning is not specified. but should be subject to agreement between the vendor and the purchaser.
For labels that are overprinted, e.g. with reference numbers, sizes, etc. applied as a separate operation, the overprinted parts of the design shall be colour fast to the washing and dry-cleaning tests described in Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C, Appendix D and Appendix E.
NOTE 2 The following types of labels are available:
a) printed fabric labels comprising printed legends on various woven or suitable nonwoven base fabrics. e.g. cotton, viscose, cellulose acetate. polyamide and polyester, which can be of either selvedge or slit fabric construction and may additionally be coated or impregnated; and
b) woven labels in which the legend is woven into the base fabric and similarly comprising cotton, viscose, cellulose acetate. polyamide and polyester.
2.2 Method of application
The label shall be sewn to the article. The edges of the label shall be turned in unless it is made from a material that will not fray or has a fused edge.
NOTE It is recommended that labels are pre.shrunk. if labels are not preshrunk. it is recommended that they should not be sewn all round.
2.3 Colour fastness
The colour fastness of the markings (and of the ground fabric of the label, if it is coloured) shall comply with the minimum requirements of Table 1.
All original details of the markings shall be legible after the treatments specified in Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C, Appendix D and Appendix E.
3 Labels for heavy-duty use
NOTE These labels are intended for Ministry of Defence use.
3.1 Materials and design
The materials used shall comply with 2.1 and shall contain no filling that would be removed by washing or dry cleaning.
3.2 Method of application
Labels shall be either sewn to the article or self-adhesive.
If self-adhesive labels are used they shall be of the heat-activatable type and the adhesion between label and garment fabric shall be such that no bubbling or delamination occurs when subjected to the washing and adhesion tests in Appendix F. Self-adhesive labels shall be attached to the garment by ironing or using a heated press.
3.3 Method of marking
Information shall be marked on the label (or, where specified as an option, directly on to the garment) by one of the following methods.
a) Printing directly on to the label or garment.
b) Weaving the details integrally into the label.
c) Combination of a) and b).
d) Transfer printing, i.e. where the details are printed initially on to a removable release-coated paper and are transferred by heat and pressure to the label or (where specified) directly on to the garment.
NOTE The information to be given by the marking will normally be given in the garment specification or purchase description and/or the contract.
The colour fastness of the markings, and of the ground fabric of the label, if it is coloured, shall comply with the minimum requirements given in Table 2.
All original details of the markings shall be legible after testing in accordance with Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C and Appendix D.
4 Sampling
Samples shall be taken according to BS 6001-2 at an acceptable quality level (AQL) of 0.5 % The batch size shall be 2 000 m.
NOTE A batch is a definite quantity of some commodity produced under conditions which arc presumed uniform.