| End Use | Wipes, medical drapes, wound-care materials, hygiene products, filtration media, or industrial cleaning materials | Disposable cleaning wipe requiring high absorbency and low lint | Experience with the intended application, converting process, and regulatory requirements | The correct fabric structure depends on the final product and its operating environment |
| Fiber Composition | 100% viscose, 100% polyester, 100% polypropylene, or blended fibers | 70% viscose / 30% polyester for absorbency combined with wet strength | Declared fiber ratio, fiber origin, recycled content, and compliance documentation | Fiber type affects absorbency, strength, softness, chemical resistance, and disposal considerations |
| Basis Weight | Approximately 25–200 g/m², depending on application | 50 ± 5 g/m² for a general-purpose disposable wipe | Nominal weight, tolerance, test conditioning, and batch-to-batch uniformity | Basis weight influences coverage, strength, absorbency capacity, softness, and material cost |
| Fabric Width | Custom slit width or roll width, commonly specified in millimeters | 1,600 mm finished roll width with ±2% tolerance | Usable width, edge quality, roll winding, splice frequency, and width tolerance | Accurate width reduces trimming waste and improves converting-line efficiency |
| Thickness | Often approximately 0.20–1.50 mm, depending on basis weight and bonding pattern | 0.55 ± 0.08 mm under an agreed test pressure | Test pressure, number of readings, compression behavior, and thickness tolerance | Thickness affects hand feel, cushioning, fluid retention, and folding performance |
| Tensile Strength | Specify separately in machine direction and cross direction, usually in N/5 cm or N/25 mm | MD ≥ 55 N/5 cm; CD ≥ 30 N/5 cm for a durable wipe | Test direction, gauge length, jaw separation, conditioning, and minimum values | Adequate strength helps prevent tearing during wet handling, folding, and packaging |
| Elongation | Commonly specified by direction, with values varying by fiber blend and bonding intensity | MD 25–60%; CD 40–90% for a conformable material | Elongation at break, test speed, direction, and acceptable tolerance | Elongation affects drape, conformability, dimensional stability, and converting accuracy |
| Absorbency | Absorption capacity, absorption time, and wicking rate | Absorption capacity ≥ 5 g/g; absorption time ≤ 5 seconds | Test liquid, sample size, immersion time, drainage method, and conditioning | Absorbency determines cleaning efficiency, fluid handling, and user experience |
| Surface Structure | Plain, embossed, apertured, patterned, or textured surface | Moderately textured surface for improved pickup without excessive skin friction | Pattern repeat, aperture size, surface uniformity, and compatibility with the intended contact surface | Surface design influences pickup performance, softness, grip, and visual appearance |
| Wet Strength | Specify retained tensile strength after contact with water or the intended liquid | At least 70% of dry MD strength after 60 seconds of wetting | Test liquid, wetting time, drainage procedure, and minimum retained-strength percentage | Wet strength is essential when the material must remain intact during use |
| Lint and Particle Release | Low-lint, standard-lint, or application-specific particle limits | Low-lint grade for optical, medical, or precision-cleaning use | Lint test method, particle-size limits, cleanroom controls, and packaging cleanliness | Low lint helps prevent surface contamination and product defects |
| Softness and Hand Feel | Soft, medium, firm, or application-specific tactile profile | Soft hand feel suitable for repeated skin contact | Softness test results, finishing agents, odor, skin-contact suitability, and retained feel after wetting | Hand feel affects comfort, perceived quality, and suitability for personal-care applications |
| Color and Appearance | White, natural, dyed colors, or custom visual requirements | White fabric with consistent shade and no visible foreign matter | Color tolerance, whiteness requirements, dye fastness, stains, holes, and edge defects | Consistent appearance supports quality control and brand-neutral product presentation |
| Chemical Compatibility | Water, alcohol-based solutions, detergents, oils, disinfectants, or other formulations | No visible degradation after 24-hour contact with the specified cleaning solution | Compatibility test data, formulation details, discoloration, odor, swelling, and strength retention | Chemical resistance reduces tearing, residue, discoloration, and performance loss |
| Cleanliness and Safety | General hygiene grade, controlled-environment grade, or medical-use grade | Controlled production and sealed packaging for a non-sterile hygiene product | Microbial control, foreign-matter control, safety data, and applicable compliance documents | The required cleanliness level must match the risk profile of the finished product |
| Packaging and Roll Format | Rolls, sheets, folded packs, perforated rolls, or center-pull formats | Perforated rolls with controlled roll diameter and sealed moisture-resistant packaging | Core diameter, roll length, outside diameter, perforation interval, labels, and pallet configuration | Correct roll format prevents line stoppages and reduces storage and handling problems |
| Quality Control | Incoming-material inspection, in-process inspection, final inspection, and retained samples | Inspection plan covering basis weight, width, tensile strength, appearance, and packaging | Certificate of analysis, inspection records, sampling plan, calibration records, and complaint process | Documented controls make supplier performance measurable and repeatable |
| Sampling and Approval | Laboratory sample, production trial, pilot roll, or first-article approval | Approve one laboratory sample followed by a production-scale trial roll | Sample size, lead time, revision control, trial criteria, and approval procedure | A structured approval process helps identify converting and performance issues before mass production |
| Order and Supply Capacity | Minimum order quantity, monthly capacity, standard lead time, and emergency capacity | Initial order of 1–5 metric tons with regular replenishment every 4–8 weeks | Minimum order quantity, production schedule, capacity allocation, lead time, and backup arrangements | Supply capability must match forecast demand and prevent production interruptions |
| Sustainability Requirements | Recycled fiber content, biodegradable fiber options, wastewater control, and packaging reduction | Declared fiber content with supporting chain-of-custody or material documentation | Material declarations, recycled-content verification, environmental permits, and wastewater-management records | Clear sustainability evidence supports responsible sourcing and accurate product claims |
| Cost and Total Value | Price per kilogram, price per square meter, conversion yield, freight, and defect cost | Evaluate delivered cost per finished unit rather than fabric price alone | Quotation basis, Incoterms, payment terms, yield assumptions, surcharge policy, and claim handling | The lowest fabric price may not provide the lowest total production cost |
