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Check out our frequently asked questions below. If you still can’t find your answer please do hesistate to contact us.

Our team is available Monday to Friday 09:00 AM – 17.00 (PM UTC/GMT+1:00)

Reflection Wavelengths Colors are defined by wavelengths. The visual spectrum ranges from approx. 400nm to 700 nm, in which violet is 400 nm, blue is around 475 nm, green is around 510 nm etc. With Rs-values, we actually measure the light-intensity at 460 nm. In other words: we actually measure the amount of a particular shade of blue. For more information please click here. XYZ-values XYZ-values are actually a model for how the human eye and brain interpret color. We have 3 different types of receptors for color in our eye:
  • One is more sensitive to red
  • One is more sensitive to green
  • One is more sensitive to blue
Of these 3 receptors, the one sensitive to green is the most sensitive one (it determines most of our color-perception). The Y-value is the model value for the receptors that are more sensitive to green. So instead of measuring at a specific wavelength, it is a model of the color-perception by the human eye. The Y-value is actually a widely accepted way of measuring color. For More information about XYZ -values click here.

We make a number of Sebum formulations. Since all the ingredients are usually quite similar we also make custom formulations for some customers.

Sebum Bey is a formulation started by a German scientist Dr. Bey in the 1960’s, it is the most used sebum formulation in the detergent industry.

Sebum SASO is a formulation according to the SASO standard, mostly used as foam supressor. 

Sebum Tefo is a formulation started by a (no longer existing) Scandinavian test institute, the recipe is now owned by us. It is somewhat more complicated than the Bey formulation, for instance the addition of fatty alcohols, in practice this is usually more difficult to remove than Bey.  CFT produces the most amount of artificial sebum worldwide. Like to know more about our Sebums? Contact us!

Sebum ASTM is a formulation according to the ASTM D4265.

We produce more than 2000 different products with each their own soil/substrate combination.

Our product development is aimed that each product can be kept for at least one year after production. But there are a few exceptions. This is of course dependent on the storage conditions, but also for different product ranges, different rules apply.

Standardized Testmaterials:
Some products, according to data, can be stored for more than 10 years. CFT always strives to deliver high quality products and we strive to prevent waste, thus save costs, therefore we work with a strict QC (Quality Control) system.

We check all our standardized testmaterials after batch production and re-check all our products if they are still in our inventory after 6 months. When they pass CFT’s strict Quality Control the products are valid for another year. This makes sure that our products are at least usable for 6 months after you receive them. When you still have an older product batch in stock, please feel free to contact us for a re-check in the meantime.

Circular Stains:
For Circular stains we run wash tests (Wet QC) during the development of a stain and when the recipe of the staining material changes. If the latter is not the case, we only run Dry QC. That means that there is no QC data per batch to compare to. Since most of these Circular Stains are made to order, we do not have a large stock. Stains will be valid (if properly stored) for 1 year after production. If they are close to 1 year in our inventory, they are discarded.

Dishwash Monitors:
For Dishwash Monitors we do run a Wet QC for every produced batch. The storability rules are basically the same as for Standardized Testmaterials. When 6 months in our inventory we re-check the QC data, so that all our stock, when sold is at least valid for 6 months. Often longer.

The average sending time of CFT is 2 weeks after receipt of order. We strive to send products within 4 weeks after receipt of order. But there are some exceptions. 

Average delivery time when in stock:
Stains/meters sending within 1 week
Hand made stains sending within 2 weeks 
Monitors Sending within 2/3 weeks

Average delivery time when NOT in stock
Stains/meters sending within 2 weeks
Hand made stain sending within 2/3 weeks
Monitors when stains are not in stock sending within 3/4 weeks 

Ironing swatches that are used in wash tests has a number of advantages. The swatches will be dried immediately without hanging them or drying time and the swatches are of course more smooth. This will give less variation in your measurements.

Some of the stains are effected by this ironing after washing, especially due to the applied heat (therefore tumble drying is also not a good idea for these swatches) this could affect the color of the stain.
The following stains are not suitable for ironing or tumble drying:

Code            Soil type
C-S-01          Blood
C-S-16          Lipstick Pink
C-S-116        Lipstick Pink, diluted
C-S-216        Lipstick Red, diluted
C-S-20          Tomato
C-S-120        Double Soiled Tomato
C-S-24          Red Pepper
C-S-26          Corn Starch
C-S-27          Potato Starch
C-S-28          Rice Starch
C-S-29          Tapioca Starch
C-S-126        Corn Starch, aged
C-S-127        Potato Starch, aged
C-S-128        Rice Starch, aged
C-S-129        Tapioca Starch, aged
C-S-226        Double Soiled Corn Starch
C-S-227        Double Soiled Potato Starch
C-S-228        Double Soiled Rice Starch
C-S-229        Double Soiled Tapioca Starch
C-S-34          Curry
C-S-57          Red Beet Pure
C-S-59          Asian Food Stain
C-S-60          Spaghetti Sauce
C-S-75          Blood with Beeffat
C-S-77          Babyfood Carrot Potato
C-S-77B       Babyfood Strawberry Banana
C-S-79          Napolina Tomato
C-S-85          Double Applied Sheep Blood
C-S-87          Chili sauce
C-S-87s        Chili sauce garlic
C-S-89          Hot Pot
C-S-89s        Hot Pot Sateh
C-S-101        Blood, slightly aged

You can find all the colour values (L*a*b* and XYZ) of the white subtrates on this page on our website. 

CFT uses two types of distinctions in batch numbering:

  1. A and B after the batch number
  2.  -1 or -2 after the batch number

     

1. A and B after batch number
Batch 007A and 007B will differ only in Rs-value, color before wash.

2. -1 or -2 after batch number
Another type of difference would be 007-1 and 007-2, the batch is then split up in two parts because of the reaction in the wash. One-piece (start) then reacts differently than the other (end). If this is the case CFT takes samples throughout the roll to see where they can make the split. This way the variation within one part is within limits.

Another thing that CFT does with batch numbering is skipping 100 in counting, when there is a significant difference in production, for instance, because one of the raw materials has changed. CFT then goes from batch 007 to batch 108. Indicating that comparing these batches, which should always be done with care, would require extra attention / could lead to differences.