TPU Size Label for Shirts — Specification, Uses and Sourcing Notes
TPU Size Label for Shirts: Specification, Uses and Sourcing Notes
TPU Size Label is the version buyers specify for shirts 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
TPU gives size label its drape and hand feel. In practice that means the trim behaves differently in cutting, in finishing and in wear: shrinkage allowance has to be built into the spec. 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 | Size Label |
|---|---|
| Base material | TPU |
| Standard size | 10# Gauge |
| Common finishes | Gunmetal Finish, Black Nickel Finish, Nickel-Free Electroplating |
| Processes | Brushing, Mercerising, Screen Printing |
| Typical application | Shirts |
| Related applications | Socks, Suits, Uniforms, Home Curtains |
| Test standard | Bluesign |
| 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 Bluesign on the actual base material, not on a substitute.
- Mechanical performance — cycle life after 10 cycles or washes.
- Compliance — Bluesign documentation issued with the shipment.
- Consistency — the approved counter sample becomes the reference for every reorder.
Common uses
- Gloves
- Swimwear
- Skirts
- Socks
- Kidswear
- Coats
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 beaded trim, tulle fabric, nylon fabric, nylon bonded thread, and the processes most often paired with size label include water repellent finishing, electroplating, piece dyeing.
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