Specification
How to specify spunlace fabric for wet wipes
A wipes specification is eight fields. Most failed trials come from leaving one of them out, and the omission is usually lint, wet strength or splice limit.
At a glance
Specification at a glance
| Field | Why it matters | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre blend | Softness, absorbency, wet strength | Viscose rich for skin, PET added for strength |
| Basis weight | Hand feel and cost | 40 to 80 gsm |
| Width | Fits the unwind | Machine working width plus trim |
| Pattern | Surface and product identity | Plain, dot, mesh, embossed logo |
| Wet strength | Survives folding and packing | Measured wet, not dry |
| Lint | Residue on skin or surface | Test wet and after abrasion |
| Roll spec | Diameter, length, core | Unwind stand limits |
| Splice limit | Line stops | Stated per roll, not per tonne |
Field 1: fibre blend
Viscose and pulp carry absorbency and softness. Polyester carries wet strength and dimensional stability. A 100 percent viscose fabric feels better and tears more easily when wet. A 50/50 blend survives the pack and feels slightly drier.
Write the ratio, not just the fibres. Buyers who write viscose and polyester without a ratio leave the supplier to choose, and the choice will follow the price.
Field 2: basis weight, with a tolerance
Wipes usually sit between 40 and 80 gsm. The number matters less than the tolerance, because weight drift across the width shows up as inconsistent wipe thickness, which the consumer notices before the buyer does.
Specify both a target and a tolerance, and a method for measuring. A target with no tolerance is not a specification.
Field 3 and 4: width and pattern
Width is set by the unwind of the converting line, not by the finished wipe dimension. Tell the supplier the machine width including trim allowance.
Pattern is a product decision with a manufacturing constraint: deeper embossing needs more weight and changes softness. A logo emboss at 40 gsm will not have the definition it has at 60 gsm.
Field 5: wet strength, measured wet
Wet strength is the number that predicts whether the fabric survives the pack. It is not the same as dry tensile, and a data sheet that only reports dry values has not answered the question.
The lotion matters here. Some surfactant systems reduce wet strength noticeably on viscose rich blends. If you are changing lotion, retest rather than assume.
Field 6: lint
Lint appears after wetting and abrasion, not on a dry sample. For baby wipes and facial products it is a consumer complaint; for industrial wipes it is a defect on the part being cleaned.
Agree a lint test with the supplier before the trial roll. Without one, both sides will disagree about whether the delivered material is acceptable.
Field 7 and 8: roll specification and splices
Roll diameter, roll length and core size are dictated by your unwind stand. A roll that is too large for the stand is unusable material sitting in your warehouse.
Splice limit is the cheapest clause to agree and the most common cause of a claim when it is left out. State the maximum splices per roll and how a splice is marked, and check that the marker is detectable by your line.
Send the eight fields
With all eight we can quote a grade that will run, not a grade that might.
Questions
Common questions
What gsm should a baby wipe use?
Most run between 40 and 70 gsm. The number follows the wipe size, the pack format and the strength the line needs.
Should I specify pulp or viscose?
Pulp raises absorbency and lowers cost but changes lint and wet strength. If lint is critical, test a pulp blend wet before committing.
How many splices are acceptable?
Set by your line, not by the industry. A high speed line with an accumulator tolerates more than a simple one; write the number you can run.
Do I need an embossed pattern?
Only if the product needs it. Pattern depth interacts with weight and softness, so add it deliberately rather than by default.