Match your footwear material

We can start with a shoe photograph or an original sample to screen candidate materials. Mark the shoe component and, where available, provide clear overall, texture and backing references. If using our color cards, include the YX code and color number. Photographs indicate a direction; the specific color, construction and suitability need physical samples and agreed requirements. A photograph alone does not guarantee the identical material or equivalent performance.

A single reading cannot become a bulk-supply promise. Measured thickness describes a particular sample under particular measurement conditions; order thickness is the agreed target specification; tolerance is the agreed acceptable range. Measurement pressure and other conditions affect comparability, so record the method and repeat measurements at different positions. A 1.45 mm target may be proposed for confirmation, but the supplier must confirm the ability to meet ±0.03 mm and agree on the acceptance method. Rounding a reading does not create a tolerance. The shoe factory should first specify its needs for the component and laminated construction, then confirm the available specification.

A material category, backing structure and fiber composition describe different things. Record the supplier's terminology, woven or nonwoven construction, known fiber composition, any raised surface and any additional laminated layers separately. A backing photograph can help compare appearance, but cannot by itself establish fiber type, percentages, leather-fiber content or durability. Feel and thickness do not supply that missing evidence. Mark unknown fields as requiring confirmation and request construction information from the supplier; if necessary, ask a qualified testing laboratory to propose an identification method.

Those two descriptions are not enough. PU and nonwoven fabric do not fully describe fiber fineness, fiber structure, the location of the PU or the processing method. Ask for the construction from face to back: surface layer, main backing, bonding or lamination layer, and any additional backing. Also confirm whether the supplied material is unlaminated or already laminated. Samples, quotations and orders should use the same construction description. A similar-looking laminate should not be assumed equivalent to the original sample.

Send the application, reference sample, color or texture, backing, thickness, quantity and any testing requirements. Where you have specific requirements, we first discuss and confirm them with our partner factory before quoting. We then confirm the proposed material, acceptance requirements and delivery arrangements with you. Different specifications cannot be assumed freely interchangeable. Testing or certification requirements must be checked against the specific material and relevant reports; a material name does not establish compliance or certification. Material samples and custom sampling are free. The buyer pays shipping.