Lab Dip

Lab Dip is a professional term in foreign trade in industries such as textiles, apparel, and printing and dyeing. It refers to a small sample made by a factory laboratory according to the color standard provided by the customer (such as a Pantone color number, color swatch, or original sample), used to confirm whether the color meets requirements. Usage scenario: Before placing an order, customers usually require the supplier to provide a lab dip first, and only after confirmation can mass production proceed. Precautions: Lab dips should be color-matched under a standard light source (such as D65) to avoid color differences caused by different light sources; the acceptable color difference range between the lab dip and the final bulk production (such as DE value) should be specified; after the lab dip is confirmed, a standard sample should be retained as the basis for bulk acceptance. Difference from 'Proto Sample': the proto sample confirms style and size, while the lab dip only confirms color; difference from 'Production Sample': the production sample uses bulk fabric and processes, while the lab dip can use a laboratory sample. Lab dip confirmation is a key milestone in order execution and directly affects delivery time and cost.