Buying questions
How is nonwoven coloured, and can I match a specific shade?
Almost all coloured nonwoven is mass coloured with masterbatch during extrusion or fibre production. Surface dyeing exists but is rare, and shade matching has real limits.
At a glance
Specification at a glance
| Colour | Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| White | Titanium dioxide masterbatch | Blue tone or neutral, specify |
| Medical blue | Masterbatch | Shade varies by supplier |
| Green | Masterbatch | Often specified to a Pantone reference |
| Black | Carbon masterbatch | Highest opacity per gram |
| Custom | Matched masterbatch | Minimum run applies |
Why shade varies
Pigment dispersion, line temperature and web weight all shift the visual result. A 20 gsm web of the same masterbatch looks lighter than a 40 gsm web because there is less pigment per unit area. That is physics, not a quality defect, and it is why shade approval is done on the actual weight.
What to put in the specification
A physical reference (approved sample or Pantone number), the weight it was approved at, and a tolerance in Delta E rather than the word 'match'. Without a tolerance, every delivery is arguable.
Send the question with your specification
Tell us the product, the weight you run now and the market it sells into. We answer with the grade, the test values and the documents you will need.
Questions
Common questions
Can you match a Pantone colour exactly?
Approximately. Textile and nonwoven colour is matched within a Delta E tolerance, not exactly, because the substrate and light change the reading.
Does colour affect strength?
Carbon black can act as a filler and slightly change elongation. Titanium dioxide at normal levels has little effect.
Is there a minimum for custom colour?
Yes, a masterbatch run. The quantity depends on the grade and the line.