Spunlace Nonwoven Fabric Specifications: What Should You Include in an RFQ?

Introduction

When purchasing spunlace nonwoven fabric, an incomplete request for quotation can create problems long before production begins. Buyers may receive prices based on different fiber compositions, grammages, roll widths, quality standards, or packaging conditions. Although the quotations appear comparable, the materials being offered may not be equivalent.

For example, asking suppliers to quote “45 GSM spunlace fabric for wet wipes” does not fully define the product. One supplier may offer a viscose-rich material, another may propose a viscose-polyester blend, and a third may quote a different construction with different wet-strength and absorbency characteristics.

These differences can affect converting efficiency, finished-product performance, material consumption, and total purchasing cost.

A well-prepared RFQ should define the material's identity, critical physical properties, acceptable tolerances, intended application, delivery format, and required documentation. It should also distinguish between mandatory requirements and preferences that suppliers may propose as alternatives.

This guide explains the most important spunlace nonwoven fabric specifications to include in an RFQ, provides a practical specification table, and shows how buyers can compare quotations without overlooking important technical differences.

1. Start with the Basic Product Identification

Before listing technical values, clearly identify the material you want to purchase.

The basic description should include the material type, intended application, and any existing grade or reference specification.

For example:

“Hydroentangled spunlace nonwoven fabric for pre-moistened personal care wipes, 45 GSM nominal weight, viscose/polyester blend, supplied in jumbo rolls.”

This description provides more useful information than simply writing “spunlace fabric.”

Basic identification fields

The example values are illustrative. Replace them with your actual requirements.

Why the intended application matters

Suppliers need to understand how the material will be used because different applications prioritize different properties.

A fabric for facial wipes may require softness and suitable lotion compatibility. An industrial wipe may need stronger wet tensile performance and controlled linting. A cosmetic sheet mask may require good drape, liquid retention, and consistent die-cutting behavior.

If the application is confidential, provide enough functional information to establish performance requirements without disclosing proprietary formulation details.

2. Specify Fiber Composition and Blend Ratio

Fiber composition is one of the most important spunlace fabric specifications because it influences absorbency, softness, strength, liquid handling, and material cost.

Common fiber options include:

• Viscose

• Polyester

• Cotton

• Lyocell

• Blends of cellulosic and synthetic fibers

An RFQ should identify the required fiber type and, where necessary, the permitted blend ratio.

Example fiber-composition specification

Do not assume that a supplier will automatically use the same composition as your existing material. If fiber ratio is important, specify it explicitly and require confirmation in the quotation.

If you are open to alternative compositions, ask suppliers to quote them separately rather than silently substituting one material for another.

For example:

• Option A: required 70/30 viscose/polyester blend.

• Option B: supplier-proposed alternative, with composition and performance differences disclosed.

This makes technical and commercial comparisons much easier.

Avoid vague descriptions

Terms such as “cotton-like,” “premium fiber,” or “eco-friendly material” do not define an exact composition.

If cotton content, recycled content, or a particular regenerated cellulosic fiber is essential, state the requirement and identify any relevant documentation or verification needed.

Environmental claims should be tied to the actual material and supporting evidence, not inferred from a fiber name alone.

3. Define GSM and Basis-Weight Tolerance

GSM, or grams per square meter, describes the mass of fabric per unit area. It is a basic specification for spunlace materials used in wipes, towels, cosmetic products, and many other applications.

However, stating only a target GSM is incomplete. Buyers should also define the acceptable tolerance and the method used to assess compliance.

Example GSM specification

The ±5% tolerance is an example, not a universal industry requirement. Some applications may require tighter control, while others may accept a wider range. The correct tolerance depends on product performance, production capability, and commercial agreement.

Why GSM tolerance matters

Suppose a buyer orders 45 GSM fabric but receives material averaging 48 GSM. The fabric may appear similar, yet the buyer is paying for more material per square meter than planned.

Conversely, material significantly below the target may affect thickness, absorbency, strength, or the finished product's appearance.

For accurate comparison, confirm:

1. Whether the quoted GSM is nominal or a measured average.

2. The permitted tolerance.

3. How and where samples are taken across the roll.

4. The test method and conditioning conditions.

5. How nonconforming material will be handled.

Where cross-web or machine-direction uniformity is important, a single average GSM measurement may not be sufficient. Define the sampling and acceptance rules that match your production risks.

4. Include Thickness and Measurement Conditions When Necessary

Thickness is not interchangeable with GSM.

Two fabrics with the same basis weight may have different thicknesses because of differences in fiber composition, bonding structure, density, and finishing.

Thickness may be particularly important for cosmetic sheet masks, absorbent products, protective layers, and applications where fabric compression or drape affects performance.

What to include in the RFQ

Nonwoven fabrics are compressible, so thickness measurements can vary with the pressure applied during testing. A thickness value without a method or measurement condition may not be suitable for supplier comparison.

If thickness is not a critical performance requirement, it may be better to record it as a reference value rather than use it as a strict acceptance criterion.

5. Specify Dry and Wet Tensile Strength

Tensile strength measures the force required to break a material under a defined test procedure. It helps determine whether fabric can withstand handling, converting, dispensing, and use.

For wipes and other products exposed to liquids, wet tensile strength may be especially important.

Recommended tensile-strength fields

MD refers to the direction in which the web travels during production. CD refers to the cross direction, perpendicular to the web's travel.

The two directions can have different strength values. For that reason, stating only “minimum tensile strength: 30 N” without direction or test conditions can produce ambiguous quotations.

Example RFQ wording

“Please provide MD and CD tensile-strength data for the proposed fabric under the agreed test method. For wet applications, identify the wet-conditioning procedure and report wet tensile results separately from dry results.”

This wording requests comparable information without inventing a universal tensile requirement.

Match strength to the final product

• Personal care wipes: adequate wet handling without compromising softness.

• Household cleaning wipes: resistance to tearing during wiping.

• Industrial wipes: strength under representative mechanical and chemical exposure.

• Disposable towels: reliable handling and dispensing.

• Cosmetic sheet masks: integrity during impregnation, folding, and unfolding.

The target should be established through product requirements, benchmark samples, and testing—not selected solely because a supplier advertises a high number.

6. Define Absorbency, Retention, and Liquid Release

For absorbent spunlace products, the word “absorbent” is too vague to serve as a complete RFQ specification.

Buyers should distinguish among three properties:

• Absorption capacity: The amount of liquid taken up under defined conditions.

• Absorption time: How quickly the fabric absorbs liquid under the selected test.

• Retention and release: How much liquid remains in the fabric and how readily it transfers during use.

These properties can influence finished-product performance in different ways.

For example, a pre-moistened wipe may need to retain lotion in its package while releasing enough liquid during wiping. A disposable towel may prioritize rapid uptake of spilled water. A cosmetic sheet mask may need to hold and distribute a formulation across the face.

Example absorbency specification fields

Avoid comparing supplier results obtained using different liquids, immersion times, drainage periods, or calculation methods.

A result measured with water may not represent performance with a lotion containing surfactants, oils, alcohol, or other ingredients. If formulation compatibility is important, include testing with the intended liquid or an agreed representative formulation.

7. Specify Softness, Surface Texture, and Linting

Some spunlace fabric requirements are not captured adequately by basic physical values.

Softness, surface appearance, and linting may determine whether a fabric is acceptable for personal care, cosmetic, automotive, industrial, or precision-cleaning applications.

Softness

If softness is important, define a reference sample or an agreed evaluation method. “Soft hand feel” can be useful as a descriptive requirement, but it should not be the only acceptance criterion for a high-volume product.

Surface texture and appearance

State whether the fabric must be smooth, textured, embossed, or finished in a particular way. If color or visual uniformity matters, define acceptable variation and inspection conditions.

Linting

If low linting is important, specify the test method or a reference performance level. For applications involving delicate surfaces, sensitive equipment, or contamination control, practical wiping tests may also be needed.

Avoid writing “100% lint-free” unless the term is clearly defined and supported by appropriate evidence.

Example quality requirements

If appearance and hand feel are important, retain an approved reference sample and record its identification in the purchase specification.

8. Include Chemical Compatibility Requirements

If the fabric will contact cleaning agents, lotions, solvents, disinfectants, or other formulations, chemical compatibility should be addressed in the RFQ.

The relevant risks depend on the fiber composition, formulation, exposure conditions, and intended use.

Potential issues include:

• Reduced wet tensile strength

• Dimensional changes

• Discoloration

• Changes in absorbency or liquid release

• Increased linting

• Unwanted odor or surface changes

What buyers should specify

Identify the intended chemical or formulation category, concentration where appropriate, exposure time, temperature, and performance characteristics that must be maintained.

For proprietary formulations, buyers may not need to disclose the full formula at the quotation stage. They can provide a representative liquid or request a confidentiality agreement before sharing detailed information.

For regulated skin-contact or medical applications, define the relevant material documentation and finished-product requirements separately. A generic spunlace fabric specification does not by itself establish medical suitability, sterility, or biocompatibility.

9. Specify Roll Dimensions and Converting Requirements

Roll configuration is a commercial and production specification, not merely a packaging detail.

A fabric that meets the target GSM and strength may still create waste or downtime if its width, roll diameter, core, or winding quality is incompatible with the buyer's equipment.

Roll-format fields for an RFQ

If the converting line is designed for a fixed web width, clarify whether the quoted width is finished usable width or nominal roll width.

Also specify whether edge trimming is acceptable, whether splices must be marked, and how the supplier should handle roll defects.

These details can be especially important for high-speed converting lines, where a small number of web breaks can create disproportionate production costs.

10. Define Color, Finish, and Special Requirements

Not every RFQ needs a long list of special properties. Include them when they affect the finished product, regulatory status, or customer specification.

Possible requirements include:

• White or specified color

• Hydrophilic or hydrophobic behavior

• Surface treatment or finishing

• Embossed or textured surface

• Particular fiber restrictions

• Recycled content

• Special packaging or moisture protection

• Restrictions on certain substances

• Product-specific cleanliness requirements

Each special requirement should be defined as clearly as possible.

For example, “hydrophilic” should be linked to the intended wetting performance or a suitable test when the property is critical. A general label may not guarantee the same performance across suppliers.

Similarly, claims such as “biodegradable,” “compostable,” “plastic-free,” and “flushable” are not interchangeable. Specify the relevant criteria and evidence needed for the material or finished product.

Do not add every possible property to every RFQ. Excessive or irrelevant requirements can increase quotation complexity without improving product quality.

11. State the Required Test Methods and Quality Documents

One of the most overlooked spunlace fabric specifications is the method used to verify compliance.

Even when two suppliers report the same property, their results may not be directly comparable if they use different methods or conditions.

Common quality-document requests

Depending on the application, request:

• Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

• Safety Data Sheet (SDS), where applicable

• Certificate of Analysis (COA), if available or agreed

• Batch or lot identification

• GSM and dimensional test results

• Tensile-strength test results

• Absorbency test results, where relevant

• Applicable certifications and declarations

• Relevant regulatory or restricted-substance documentation

Not every document applies to every fabric. Buyers should identify which records are mandatory for initial evaluation, which are required before shipment, and which are needed for regulated or sensitive applications.

Example document matrix

A supplier should not be assumed to hold a particular certification merely because the product category is associated with it. Verify the certificate holder, scope, validity, and relevance to the supplied material.

12. Set Tolerances and Acceptance Rules

A technical specification is incomplete if it identifies target values but does not explain how much variation is acceptable.

Tolerance limits should reflect product requirements and realistic production capability. They should be agreed before bulk production.

Typical parameters requiring tolerance definitions include:

• GSM

• Width

• Roll weight

• Thickness, if critical

• Fiber composition, where controlled

• Tensile strength

• Color or visual appearance

• Absorbency or other performance values

What an acceptance rule should clarify

1. What property is measured?

2. Which test method applies?

3. How many samples are tested?

4. Where are samples taken from the roll or batch?

5. Is acceptance based on individual results, averages, or both?

6. What happens if results fall outside the agreed limits?

For example, a GSM specification might define a nominal value, a tolerance, and a sampling procedure. The parties should also agree how nonconforming material is handled.

Avoid adding arbitrary tolerances without checking whether they are technically necessary and commercially realistic.

13. Include Packaging, Labeling, and Shipment Requirements

Packaging affects material protection, warehouse handling, traceability, and export logistics.

For international purchases, the RFQ should specify the required packaging format and shipment information.

Packaging and logistics fields

For export orders, clearly identify the Incoterm version and named place—for example, the agreed port or destination facility. This reduces confusion about freight, insurance, and responsibility for costs and risks.

If the material is sensitive to moisture or contamination, specify packaging requirements before the supplier prepares the quotation.

14. A Copy-and-Use Spunlace Nonwoven Fabric RFQ Template

The following template can be copied into an email, spreadsheet, or purchasing document. Fill in the required fields and mark non-applicable items as “N/A” rather than leaving critical requirements ambiguous.

A. Product and application information

B. Physical and performance requirements

C. Roll format and packaging

D. Quality, quantity, and commercial terms

E. Supplier response section

Ask each supplier to provide the following:

• Quoted price and currency

• Minimum order quantity

• Available production specifications

• Technical Data Sheet

• Confirmed deviations from the requested specification

• Sample availability and sample lead time

• Production lead time

• Payment terms

• Packaging details

• Quotation validity

• Any recommended alternatives, quoted separately

This last section is essential. It encourages suppliers to disclose deviations rather than quote an alternative material without making the difference clear.

15. How to Compare Supplier Quotations Fairly

Once quotations arrive, do not compare only the price per kilogram.

First, confirm whether each quotation covers the same material and commercial scope.

Example comparison table

The entries are illustrative. They demonstrate why a lower quotation may not represent an equivalent offer.

A practical comparison process

Step 1: Screen technical compliance. Identify whether each supplier meets all mandatory requirements.

Step 2: Separate alternatives. Evaluate proposed alternatives separately from fully compliant quotations.

Step 3: Check evidence. Confirm that critical properties are supported by comparable test results.

Step 4: Calculate total material cost. Consider GSM, actual roll dimensions, converting waste, rejection rates, and shipping costs where relevant.

Step 5: Validate samples. Test shortlisted materials using the same methods and application conditions.

Step 6: Confirm the production specification. Attach the approved specification to the purchase order or quality agreement.

This process helps prevent a technically unsuitable material from being selected simply because its initial quotation looks attractive.

16. Common RFQ Mistakes Buyers Should Avoid

Mistake 1: Asking only for a GSM and price

GSM and price do not establish fiber composition, strength, absorbency, roll format, or quality consistency.

Mistake 2: Using unclear fiber descriptions

Terms such as “viscose-like” or “cotton feel” do not define actual fiber content. State the required composition or request alternatives clearly.

Mistake 3: Omitting test methods

Without a common method, supplier performance data may not be comparable.

Mistake 4: Leaving tolerances undefined

Target values alone may not establish whether delivered material is acceptable.

Mistake 5: Ignoring wet performance

For wet wipes and other liquid-contact products, dry strength alone may be insufficient.

Mistake 6: Forgetting roll and converting details

Incorrect widths, unsuitable cores, poor winding, or unclear splice rules can create avoidable production problems.

Mistake 7: Requesting certifications without defining their purpose

Specify the certification or document that is genuinely required and verify its scope and relevance.

Mistake 8: Allowing undisclosed substitutions

Require suppliers to identify any differences between the requested specification and the material offered.

Mistake 9: Approving samples without defining bulk acceptance

An approved sample is useful, but it should be supported by a written specification and agreed quality-control process.

Mistake 10: Overloading the RFQ with irrelevant requirements

Focus on properties that influence product performance, compliance, converting, and commercial risk. A shorter, precise RFQ is often more effective than a long list of generic requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should be included in spunlace nonwoven fabric specifications?

At a minimum, include fiber composition, nominal GSM and tolerance, intended application, roll width and format, and relevant quality requirements. Depending on the application, also define thickness, dry and wet tensile strength, absorbency, linting, chemical compatibility, test methods, packaging, and required documentation.

2. What is the difference between spunlace fabric specifications and a technical data sheet?

A Technical Data Sheet typically describes a supplier's material grade and reported properties. An RFQ specification defines what the buyer requires and the acceptance criteria for the purchase. The two should be compared to identify gaps or deviations.

3. Is GSM enough to identify a spunlace fabric grade?

No. Different fabrics can have the same GSM but different fiber compositions, thicknesses, strengths, absorbency, and surface properties. GSM should be one part of a broader material specification.

4. Should buyers specify fiber composition in an RFQ?

Yes, when composition affects product performance, labeling, environmental claims, or regulatory compliance. If alternative compositions are acceptable, ask suppliers to disclose them and quote them separately.

5. What GSM tolerance should I request?

There is no single tolerance suitable for every application. Set the tolerance according to product performance, converting requirements, supplier capability, and commercial agreement. Define the measurement method and sampling rules as well.

6. Which tensile-strength values should be included?

Where strength is critical, specify machine-direction and cross-direction values separately. For liquid-contact applications, define wet tensile requirements and test conditions in addition to dry tensile strength.

7. How should absorbency be specified?

Define the test liquid, test method, measurement conditions, and target result. Depending on the application, you may also need absorption time, liquid retention, or release performance. For formulated wipes, test with the intended lotion or an agreed representative liquid.

8. Do all spunlace applications need linting requirements?

No. Linting requirements should reflect the intended use. They may be important for automotive detailing, precision cleaning, sensitive surfaces, and some personal care applications, but the required level and test method depend on the product.

9. What documents should I request from a spunlace supplier?

A Technical Data Sheet is a useful starting point. Depending on the material and application, request batch test results, relevant test reports, an SDS where applicable, traceability information, and any specific certifications or declarations required by your market.

10. How can I compare prices from different spunlace suppliers?

First ensure that fiber composition, GSM, tolerances, roll dimensions, quality requirements, and delivery terms are comparable. Then evaluate the price per kilogram alongside material consumption, converting waste, quality risks, and logistics.

11. Should I attach a reference sample to my RFQ?

If you already use a material that performs well, a reference sample can help suppliers understand your expectations. However, document the required properties as well. A physical sample alone may not communicate all the performance and tolerance requirements.

12. Can a supplier change the material after sample approval?

Any change that could affect agreed specifications should be disclosed and handled under the purchase agreement or change-control process. Buyers should define how substitutions, process changes, and nonconforming batches will be managed before bulk production.

Conclusion

A strong RFQ turns a general request for spunlace nonwoven fabric into a clear, measurable purchasing specification.

The most important spunlace fabric specifications are not limited to GSM and price. Fiber composition, tensile strength, absorbency, surface characteristics, chemical compatibility, roll format, test methods, tolerances, and documentation can all influence whether the supplied material meets the buyer's needs.

When preparing spunlace fabric requirements, focus on the properties that matter for your actual application. Define how each critical property will be measured, ask suppliers to disclose deviations, and approve the final specification before bulk production.

A clear RFQ helps suppliers quote more accurately, makes competing offers easier to compare, and reduces the risk of purchasing a fabric that looks similar on paper but performs differently in production.