Resistant to fading or releasing dye under specified conditions.
Reach for it when describing material whose color remains stable in washing, light, or use
The colorfast thread kept the outdoor banner legible after repeated rain.
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| professional |
|
| formal | |
| literary |
everyday
nonbleeding
Fits when dye does not visibly transfer into wash water or nearby fabric
Careful Nonbleeding ignores gradual fading and may overpromise without test conditions.
professional
fade-resistant
Fits when resistance to loss of color from light or time is the claim
Careful Fade resistance says nothing about dye running during washing.
professional
Fits when resistance to fading under light exposure is specifically measured
Careful Lightfast material can still bleed or change during laundering.
formal
washfast
Fits when color stability through washing is the tested property
Careful Washfast is technical and cannot support a sunlight-exposure claim.
literary
color-retentive
Fits when the material keeps its original hue
Careful Readers may not know color-retentive, and it leaves the relevant stress unnamed.
colorfast fabric
Colorfast fabric kept the uniforms consistent across many washes.
colorfast dye
The colorfast dye passed the specified rubbing and washing tests.
remain colorfast
Samples remained colorfast under indoor light but not direct summer sun.
Keep in mind
Colorfast is condition-specific. A credible claim names the relevant test, such as washing, rubbing, or light exposure.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated
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