FAQ

Q: 1.Do garments, clothes, apparels, and uniform shrink?

A:   Definitely. Shrinkage can be found on garments after washing as it is a nature property of textile materials. For example, Tee shirt, Polo shirt, uniform and other clothes styles which are mainly made of 100% cotton which has shrinkage nature because it is natural cotton fiber.

Q: 2.What is the general shrinkage rate?

A:  It depends on the nature of fabric and its fabric construction. Shrinkage can be found most obviously on 100% cotton (approximately 8-10%) fabric. Loosely constructed fabric like pique (for making polo-shirt commonly) will also have bigger shrinkage after washing, larger shrinkage is found on ribs, waffle and interlock fabric etc as well.

Q: 3.Any method to reduce shrinkage on uniform?

A:   Choose fabric mixed with polyester and cotton (For examples CVC or T/C). CVC and T/C fabrics are knitted from yarn which is blended from polyester and cotton, due to the polyester’s non water absorption nature, shrinkage can be improved. However, this fabric is less breathable and less soft than cotton. Another method is to apparels wash so that it can stabilize the shrinkage in advance.

Q: 4.Is it possible to avoid shrinkage?

A:   No. No matter what materials they are (man-made fiber – polyester, or natural fiber - cotton, linen), physical limitations applied to these materials, Garment  will shrink after it is worn and washed repeated. Using 100% polyester fabric can minimize the shrinkage problem; sportswear, sports uniform, sports bottom, vest and jacket are mainly made of 100% polyester fabric in order to minimize the shrinkage. Some auxiliary chemicals are added on the fabric of these sports apparels. For example, dry fit chemical agents are added to drive sweat away quickly and provide and good ventilation, making it more comfortable to wear when doing exercises.

Q: 5.Is garment durable?

A:   It depends how the garment is used and handled during wearing and washing etc. Apparel is more durable if we follow the garment care instruction sewed to the garment. As garment is made from materials (such as cotton, polyester, etc.) which have their physical limitation, unavoidable appearance changing, color fading and print logo fading out will be found when the apparel is repeatedly worn and washed. Therefore, clients have to follow the garment care label to minimize the mistreatments that will shorten the life cycle of the apparel.

Q: 6.Can customers have special requirements during uniform ordering?

A:       As a professional uniform provider, Uniform-standard provides not only opinions to our customers, but also fabric applications, production restrictions and tolerance information. However, one important thing that clients have to under stand is, as clothes is hand-made product, it is not perfect, different effects and restrictions can be found base on different applications (For Example  use CVC or T/C fabric to minimize shrinkage, on the other hand, the apparel will not be as comfortable as 100% cotton).

Q: 7.Will the collar of Polo-shirt and T-shirt crease after washing?
A:     It depends on the nature of fabric used for making the polo-shirt and T shirts. If the Tee or Polo is made of 100% cotton, it is more water absorbable as the fabric structure is more loosely packed, It will roll up after dry, making the apparel crumple, normally it is unavoidable. Customer can refer to care label for proper washing and drying method, or they can choose apparel made of mixed polyester and cotton (such as CVC, TC fabric) in garment. With polyester in fiber, less roll up and crinkle effect on apparel are found.

Q: 8.Will fabric form slub?
A:     Yes, fluff is more likely to form on 100% cotton. When clothes  is used and washed from time to time, cotton yarn will tear and break, some large cotton slub will form on the surface of the fabric. This is an unavoidable nature, but better cotton yarn with less impurity during spinning will cause less inter-linking between the yarns, thus slub will be less.

Q: 9.Will outerwear jacket fabric or wicking fabric get hooked?
A:      There are many kinds of fabric for making jacket. Thin fabric like down-proof fabric or micro-fiber is more likely to get hooked, while wicking fabric is made of polyester, which is mostly formed in mesh structure and is also more likely to be hooked. Since there are pros and cons for different kinds of textiles, so fabric should be properly used according to the applications and functional needs of the apparel. Also, garment care is very important, as there are restrictions on the garment fabric, fabric will be damaged upon improper garment care (e.g. on washing, ironing, etc).

Q: 10.Will color fading occur after washing?

A: Normally, cotton fabric is dyed by reactive dye, the color absorption penetrate through the fiber and have good color fastness, therefore, we seldom find color bleeding during wash cotton T shirts, Polo shirt etc. However, color absorption may saturate in dark, deep navy colors, which sometimes exhibit color bleeding / staining if post-treatment in color fastness is not well conducted. On the other hand, polyester fabric are usually proceeded by disperse dye under high temperature. Customers have to understand that due to the repeat use and wash, the fiber itself will deteriorate and the color will also run vintage, result in a fading visual effect.


Q:     1.Is there wrinkle-free fabrics?

A:   Yes, usually polyester coating is added on fabric to make it anti-crease, For example. wrinkle free trousers. Polyester is not easy to fold while cotton does. Therefore 100% polyester fabric is less likely to have wrinkles after folding. However, the fabrics are less breathable and feel stiffer during wearing. Normally woven fabric that used to make official dress like shirt, suit and trousers will have such wrinkle free nature.

Q:     2.Is wicking fabric more breathable than cotton fabric?

A:      Wicking fabric undergoes some chemical treatments. Sweat can be absorbed and removed by the apparel made of wicking fabric, giving a cool and fresh feeling. Thus wicking fabric applied mostly on sportswear. On the other hand, 100% cotton fabric is made of cotton yarn, which is soft, comfortable, and more water absorbable. So, cotton clothes absorb sweat easily but cannot remove it quickly, making you feel moist.

Q:     3.Any washing method to keep clothes durable and new?

A:      Washing effect varies different fabrics. Customer can refer to the care label on apparel which provides the most appropriate cleansing and drying guidelines. As there are limitations on fabric materials and fabric structures, unavoidable color fade, well worn, deformation in shape will be found when apparel is worn and washed as time goes by.
Uniform-standard could provide more quality concerns and guidelines before ordering if customers have special requirements. However, customers have to understand that garments are of physical products which will eventually worn-out after repeated using due to their physical material limitations.

Q:     4.Is windbreaker / jacket water-proof?

A:       It depends on the fabric used on jacket as well as the sewing method. There are some windbreakers which are marketed with water repellent function; this is because the fabric is coated with a PU (Polyurethane) layer which could repel water under normal atmospheric pressure (e.g. during raining days). However, this PU coating will gradually be washed away when the jacket is continually worn and washed, thus reduce the water repellent function. Some famous brands (e.g. The North Face, Mountain Hardwear, Burton Snowboards, Schoeffel) will applied Gortex fabric which bond the water repellent membrane to the fabric, and together with heat seal sewing or ultra sound welding sewing technique, it could achieve seamless outerwear which are good in water resistant.

Q:     5.Is apron anti-stain?

A:     Anti-stain chemicals can be added on some specific fabric, which minimize the stain to penetrate the fabric. It makes the stain stay on the surface of the fabric and easier to be removed or clean up. But the anti-stain chemical is a coating on the fabric, it will be washed out gradually if the apron is used and washed from time to time, anti-stain function will thus reduce.

Q:     6.Is windbreaker / Jacket wind-proof ?

A:     Jacket is made of polyester, its weaving density is higher than normal knitting fabric, making it able to minimize wind and water to penetrate through the fabric, thus less breathable feeling is found when you wear such jacket. But it becomes more breathable if a breathable coating is added. It also depends on the nature of fabric and it’s weaving density. For example, micro fiber and high density down-proof fabric, as their weaving density is high, fabric structure is packed and a PU coating on fabric can make it more wind resistant. If a fleece layer is added inside, it can trap up the air and provide a better insulation layer to keep the wearer warm.

Q: 1.Will fabric color exactly the same if we apply the same dyeing formula and conditions?

A: The answer it no, even we apply the same dyeing formula and conditions in each time, there are still shade-band difference (color deviation from different dying lots). It is because there are uncontrollable dyeing factors like water quality, fabric quality, color absorptions. Normally, color deviation between different dyeing lots may vary with 5%, but the color tone running to which directions maybe hard to control. Also, such color deviations have to be checked in specific light source under light box.

Q: 2.Will the same color looks different under different light sources?

A: Definitely. This is quite technical. In the nature, the sun is the best light source to exhibit difference colors. Other man-made illuminations is often to replicate visual color effect of the sun, this is call color rendering. Customers / buyers / brands may have different color light sources in their product display area. Some prefer to use yellow light source (e.g. U3000) and some prefer to use white light sources (e.g. D65, CWF). These different light sources have different wavelengths and when they reflect the lights from the object, will cause different visual effect. Thus the visual effect of a color under different light source will be visually different.

Q: 3.Will logo color be exactly same as the artwork design from computer?

A: Logo printing can be mainly divided into three categories: Screen Print (or called Silk Screen Print), Heat-transfer Print and Embroidery. There are also other printing methods like digital print, inkjet print, sublimation print etc. But, no matter what printing method is used, artwork color cannot be completely duplicated as the physical existed printed logo due to:

1. Artwork color is previewed on computer screen only, and different screens may display the color differently.

2. Screen Print logo is produced by mixing different printing staff to achieve the best match to the original requested color (e.g. Pantone Color). Also, due to difference in material (printing materials applied on fabric), the final produced logo may visually viewed to have color deviation from the Pantone Color, this is unavoidable.

3. Different viewers have different perception towards the same color, and their own preference to certain colors. Therefore, it is quite judgmental to judge if a color is match or not.

4. Color deviation is found on Heat-transfer Print as a series of process is involved and color will be affected in the process when logo is printed on a specific plastic film and then heat transferred to be printed on the apparel.

Q: 4.Will color deviations be in similar level for embroidery and screen print?

A: Color deviation in embroidery is less than screen print as customers can choose threads with different pre-dyed colors for embroidering the logo. However, color deviation still exists when the threads are made in different dyeing lots. On the other hand, screen print color is by mixing different print material to match back to the original requested color, and combine with fabric, the final visual effect will have larger color deviations when compare with selected color standards.

Q: 5.Will there be color deviation between trims (e.g. color fabric, zipper etc) to the body fabric color?

A: Yes. The reasons are:

1. Trims are made of different materials compared with body fabric, they have different dyeing conditions and color absorption properties. Shade-band difference exist in different dye lots of the trims and the fabric.

2.    Trims have different weaving pattern to the body fabric, the fabric structure will cause different light reflection and thus result in visual difference.

Q: 6.Is it possible to make bright and fluorescent color?

A: Basically yes, but it depends on how bright and fluorescent the color is. Sometimes, very bright and too fluorescent color cannot be made as there are many restrictions on fabric and dye staff limitation as well.

Q: 7.What colors should we wear in different seasons?

A: Black or dark color garments tend to absorb heat easily; however, they also tend to release heat easier in shady and cool areas. White or light color clothes are easier in releasing heat. So for spring and summer, we usually wear light color clothes, while in autumn and winter, we wear dark clothes to retain more heat.

Q: 8.What attentions we should pay when buying clothes?

A: It really depends on personal preference such as person favorites towards colors, styles and cutting etc. Below is some general information:

Ø Light color clothes make body shape to be more obvious and fatty.

Ø Dark color clothes make wearers slimmer, stylish etc.

Ø Bright color garments make people look more outstanding and attractive. For example, yellow, red colors give more warm feeling.

Ø Dull color garments make people look more mature and dependable. For example, Black, navy colors give more stylish and cool feeling.

Ø There are some cross matches to give big contrast or coherent style.

We should also pay attention to the fabric appearance, sewing, hand-feel and overall quality of the garment. Some garments that are constructed by soft and thin fabric may reveal the body shape obviously. For example, obese people may not tend to wear horizontal-stripped, thin and tight clothes. Tall and slim people are not appropriate to wear vertical-stripped garment styles. Some garment cutting / styling may give illusions to body proportions. For example, high-waist skirt tends to create illusions that the legs are slender, while low-waist skirt is vice versa in creating such illusions.

The first priority that we use to buy clothes is always comfort, esp. for intimate wear like underwear and sportswear which should be fit and comfortable in wearing. We should also consider functionality. For example, some sportswear is designed to wick sweat, and thus provide cool and comfortable feeling during exercise, it also give large freedom of movement, and usually made by 100% polyester fabric which is resistant in shrinkage and deformation and such characteristics are more suitable as sportswear are washed more frequently. Some garment styles such as pajamas or causal clothes (e.g. Tee, Polo-shirt, vest, cargo pants etc) tend to be light and loose.

Q:     1.What is screen print?



A:     It is a method of logo printing. Film has to be developed first, then use the logo artwork to make a silk screen with a frame on (it just like the wooden framework of a photo frame), put the paste on top of the frame, logo will form after the paste is pressed through the silk screen on the apparel. However, only one color is available on one film (silk screen), different films and silk screen frames have to be made for every different color. So, if more logo designs and colors are involved in the artwork, more films are needed and thus cost will be increased. On the other hand, unit price is increased for low quantity order as there are fixed costs and the wastage is high.



Q:     2.What is embroidery?



A:     It is a method using color threads and needles to embroider logo on the garments, in which auto sewing process is done by programming the logo artwork into computer. As there is thickness for the color threads and needles, effect will not be so good if logo design is too complicated and the logo size is too small. The only improvement is to enlarge or simplify the logo design. Besides, it is not recommended to do embroidery if the pattern or logo is too scattered and irregular. If embroidery logo is made of 3 colors or below, Dragon Uniform charges no additional fee. But if the logo is in 4 colors or above, adjustments have to be made on sewing machines. Productivity is low and wastage is lager, so certain up-charge will be posted.



Q:     3.What is Heat Transfer Print?



A:    Offset Print provides a way to print multi-color logos, artwork with color gradient effect and even photo quality logo. These kinds of logo normally cannot be printed by screen print and embroidery. Off-set Print is just like making a color print in a printer, but the process to make a print on clothes and logo production process varies. Below are some references:

1.         Digital Print: Print the logo on specific heat transfer paper (either white or black), transfer the logo on apparel by heat (factory uses heat pressing machine, but can use iron if it is self-made). As there is restriction on printer, printing effect and fastness effect depends on the printer’s quality and also the heat pressing process. In general, such digital print logo is more prompt to be peeled off after washing, so it is more suitable to make logo on promotion uniform which may just used few times only. The price of this printing method is relatively less expensive.

2.         Heat Transfer Print: Make logo mould and print on specific heat transfer film, and then transfer the logo from the film to the apparel. Logo quality and logo fastness on the fabric are better than that of digital print. However, as it is quite expensive to develop the print mould, it is more suitable for big quantity order such as workers’ uniform, sports day uniform, or school uniform so that the mold charge can be amortized into the unit costs with less effect.

3.         Inkjet Print: Print logo on apparel directly from a specific printer, Logo quality and fastness to the fabric is the best among these three methods. However, unit price is the highest among three.

Customers can refer to “Logo” category in Dragon Uniform’s website regarding logo printing problems. As there are lots of logo printing techniques, customers can contact Dragon Uniform for getting more information if any inquiries.



Q:     4.Will gold foil print and silver foil print fade out and become dull?



A:     Gold foil print and silver foil print is made by ironing the gold foil and silver foil on clothes. As there are physical restrictions on foil material, the logo may peel off slightly and become dull after washing. It is suggested to turn inside out the garment and use cold water to wash the garment in order to minimize such situation.



Q:     5.Are there any method to produce golden and silver color logo besides gold & silver foil print?



A:    It can be made by screen print, using gold or silver dyestuff. But as there are restrictions on the materials, golden color and silver color made by screen print will not be as shiny as gold and silver foil print, the logo will be a bit dull. However, logo fastness is better.



Q:     6.Will there be deviation in logo size?



A:     Yes. As fabric used for printing logo is elastic, it is flattened for facilitating printing during the logo printing process. The fabric will thus shrink a bit after printing. Also, logo size will be affected a bit during ironing process. Deviation in size varies on logo size, usually increases if logo size increases.



Q:     7.Gold & Silver foil print / Screen Print/ Embroidery/ Heat Transfer Print, which one is the most washable?



A:     Ranking from the most to the least:
Embroidery > Screen Print> Heat Transfer Print> Gold foil print and Silver foil print
It is because the color threads is embroider onto the clothes, logo fastness for Embroidery is the best. Screen Print is the most common logo printing method, logo fastness of the paste is also good on fabric. For Heat Transfer Print, as logo is printed on clothes by heat, logo fastness is also quite good. But for Gold foil print and Silver foil print, as there are restrictions on foil material, slight discolor and logo peel off will be found after washing for a period of time. However, proper garment care should always be applied in handling the garment. Even with the best colorfastness logo, if daily wearing and washing are mistreated (e.g. ironing on the screen print logo will result the print material to melt), it will not help to maintain the garment in good shape and wearable conditions.



Q:     8.Are there always wrinkle effect around the edges of embroidery logo?



A:     As the color threads will be repeatedly stitched on the fabric, the fabric will be have a high density and crumple up which resulted in wrinkles around the edges. Therefore, if the embroidery logo is overall a large area and with high density stitches, the wrinkle will be more obvious. Customer should take this into consideration during designing the logo.



Q:     9.How uniform can help to promote your company or events?



A:     Uniform can give a sense of belonging for a staff towards company, it also elevate company image if staff could wear the uniform with company logo and slogan, this will promote the company to be further known by the society. Some major campaigns or promotion events will have T-shirt or Polo-shirt as uniform; this could create an atmosphere and allow participants to be dedicated into the event.



Q: 1. Will there be size deviations in actual garment produced when compare to the marker?

A: Yes, usually will be within +/-0.5” to +/-1.0”. Many hand-made procedures are involved in textile (uniform, apparel) production process, thus we cannot compare textiles products with those products with high accuracy (e.g. digital products, the quality mostly will be regarded as good if it is functional). Customer has to understand such size deviation must exist during the production process.

Q: 2. If iGift’s standard size specification cannot fulfill you, does iGift offer customization in size?

A: Yes, though Dragon Uniform provides different sizes, customer can also customize their own size requirement and Dragon Uniform could issue the marker upon customers’ information. In general, we charge SGD50 for customizing the size specifications.

Q: 3.Can we ask iGift to design the logo? Or can we provide layout drawing instead?

A: Yes. Dragon Uniform provides different designs/ styles apparel for customers to choose, customers can send us the uniform draft layout, Dragon Uniform will prepare quotation based on your design and fabric used. If it is a self-made design, it is recommended to draw the layout by computer, as if the drawing is too sketchy, it will be unclear to make the marker and check up the quotations.


Q:     1. How can we check the production lead time?

A:     we provide flexible lead time for the clients.

1.       Lead time is around 2-3 weeks for basic style (e.g. T-shirt, Polo-shirt, vest, aprons, etc). Urgent order can be made depends on the production status in factory (surcharge involved for urgent order).

2.       3-4 weeks is needed for complicated style (e.g. windbreaker, jacket, complicated style, etc).

3.       Lead time varies with seasons (low or peak season) and factory’s production capacity and actual production loading. You can check with our staff for the lead time before ordering.

4.       Delivery is arranged per client’s request. But certain delays may happen in case of transportation jam and customs clearance issues etc, we hope clients would accept in those case and we will try our best in coordination.

5.       Please provide invoice number for easy checking the production status and delivery. It is the number marked on the right hand corner of the invoice.

A:     We provide flexible lead time for the clients.

 

1.       Lead time is around 2-3 weeks for basic style (e.g. T-shirt, Polo-shirt, vest, aprons, etc). Urgent order can be made depends on the production status in factory (surcharge involved for urgent order).

 

2.       3-4 weeks is needed for complicated style (e.g. windbreaker, jacket, complicated style, etc).

 

3.       Lead time varies with seasons (low or peak season) and factory’s production capacity and actual production loading. You can check with Uniform-standard staff for the lead time before ordering.

 

4.       Delivery is arranged per client’s request. But certain delays may happen in case of transportation jam and customs clearance issues etc, we hope clients would accept in those case and we will try our best in coordination.

 

5.       Please provide invoice number for easy checking the production status and delivery. It is the number marked on the right hand corner of the invoice.