Can I grade pilling and snagging in a Colour Assessment Cabinet (CAC)?

Colour assessment cabinets available from James Heal are used for assessing change in colour and staining, with the use of grey scales and assessment masks.

Garments, fabrics and yarns can be viewed under a selection of lighting options, such as daylight and store lights.

UV is also available for when it is necessary to look for optical brightening agents.

Pilling and snagging should be assessed under oblique lighting conditions as described in the relevant standards. James Heal can supply the following compliant viewers:

• Pilling Assessment Viewer – requires relevant photographic standards for comparison
• ProView – loaded with 8 sets of photographic standards

       -  BS 5811

       -  IWS Knitted SM54

       -  IWS Woven SM50

       -  Mace Snag

       -  SnagPod

       -  M&S Pilling

        - EMPA Knitted

        - EMPA Woven

Other options are available for M&S methods.  

• Pilliscope

       -  P17 Pilling Method 1 (April 2006) 

        - P18C Enhanced Pilling (March 2005) 

        - P21A Random Tumble Snagging (January 2010)  

• Holoscope 

       -  P18A Random Pilling Drum (February 2008) 

       -  P140 Assessment of surface disturbance on fabrics containing micro fibres