Color Stain

Color stain refers to spots, smudges, or patches of color on the surface of a product that are inconsistent with the main color, commonly found in foreign trade textiles, apparel, leather, and plastic products. It is a type of appearance defect. Causes include uneven dyeing, residual dye, contamination during production, moisture during storage, or contact with chemicals during transportation. It is commonly used in quality clauses of export contracts, inspection reports (such as third-party inspections), claim letters, and letter of credit documents. Notes: 1) Color stain differs from 'color difference,' which refers to an overall deviation from the standard sample, while color stain is a localized irregular spot; 2) It overlaps with 'stain,' but color stain emphasizes abnormal color rather than mere dirt; 3) Contracts should specify acceptance criteria for color stains (such as area, quantity, location) to avoid vague wording; 4) If returns or claims arise due to color stains, inspection evidence should be retained. Distinction: Color stain is an appearance defect, while 'color fastness' is a performance indicator; the two should not be confused.