Rubber Waterproof Breathable Fabric — Specification, Uses and Sourcing Notes
Rubber Waterproof Breathable Fabric: Specification, Uses and Sourcing Notes
Rubber Waterproof Breathable Fabric is the version buyers specify when the base material is fixed by performance rather than by price. This entry sets out what the material actually changes, which specification to write into the tech pack, and where the cost sits — the three questions that decide whether the item passes bulk approval.
What it is
Rubber gives waterproof breathable fabric its drape and hand feel. In practice that means the fabric behaves differently in cutting, in finishing and in wear: tighter tolerance is needed on the finished dimension. Buyers who specify the material up front avoid the most common failure — an item that looks right on the sample card and behaves differently in bulk.
Typical specification
| Item | Waterproof Breathable Fabric |
|---|---|
| Base material | Rubber |
| Standard size | 240 gsm |
| Common finishes | Soft-Touch Rubber Coating, Antique Copper Finish, Laser Engraved Finish |
| Processes | Heat Transfer Printing, Metal Stamping, Warp Knitting |
| Typical applications | Backpacks, Boots, Workwear, Yoga Wear |
| Test standard | ISO 105 Colour Fastness |
| Usual packing | 500 pieces per polybag, 10000 per carton |
Properties that matter in buying
- Dimensional stability — 2% allowance is built into the spec before cutting.
- Colour fastness — tested to ISO 105 Colour Fastness on the actual base material, not on a substitute.
- Mechanical performance — cycle life after 50 cycles or washes.
- Compliance — ISO 105 Colour Fastness documentation issued with the shipment.
- Consistency — the approved counter sample becomes the reference for every reorder.
Common uses
- Blouses
- Evening Wear
- Jeans
- Scarves
- Backpacks
- Swimwear
How to specify it
- Name the base material in the tech pack, not just the item.
- Fix the size and tolerance in writing before sampling starts.
- Approve a counter sample made from the actual bulk base material.
- Order the test report against the standard your market requires.
- Retain a golden sample at the factory and a second one with you.
Related reading
Related specifications on this site cover polyester webbing, elastic band, ripstop nylon fabric, polar fleece fabric, and the processes most often paired with waterproof breathable fabric include bonding, embroidery, laser cutting.
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