In the textile industry, “perfect” data is rare. The real expertise lies in knowing when “close enough” delivers a strategic advantage and when it poses a critical risk. Coming December 9-10, 2026, AATCC presents The Specifier’s Edge, an immersive workshop to be held at the AATCC Technical Center. Designed for experienced professionals, this program cuts through the noise and provides a clear, practical framework for translating laboratory data into confident, defensible business decisions. This is not introductory training, it’s an opportunity to sharpen your judgment, strengthen your decision-making, and elevate your impact. This page will be updated as details for the December 9-10, 2026, Specifier’s Edge Workshop are finalized.
Program information shown below is from the August 5–6, 2025, Mastering Textile Specifications Workshop.
The program timetable for the December 2026 program will be posted soon.
If you’re a designer, product manager, technical designer, marketer, or entrepreneur, or if you’re interested in gaining a better understanding of textile testing options and result interpretations, this workshop is tailored for you. The knowledge and resources you acquire will empower you to make informed decisions when selecting textile products.
As an attendee, you’ll benefit from direct access to the expertise of AATCC staff and members. These professionals specialize in standards development, textile testing, quality control, and claim substantiation. By participating, you’ll acquire practical tools and knowledge that can be immediately applied. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your professional network through valuable connections.
Topics Covered
- Expanding Your Network
- Standardized Testing Significance
- Textile Analysis Tools
- Color Measurement Principles
- Laundry in a Testing Context
- Basic Properties Testing
- Appearance Properties Testing
- Testing for Functional Properties
- Testing for Performance Properties
- Colorfastness Overview
- Addressing Fabric’s Response to Environmental Factors
- Sustainability Considerations
- Regulatory Considerations
- Troubleshooting Textile Issues
- Smart Tools and Practical Resources
Registration includes luncheons, breaks, and digital copies of the Analytical Methods for a Textile Laboratory and Selecting a Textile Testing Lab.
Attendance is limited; register early.
| Notice of Consent and Contact Information Sharing By attending this meeting, you consent to AATCC using any photos, videos, or images of you or your likeness in AATCC media or materials. Additionally, your name, company, and email address will be shared with other event attendees. If you prefer not to consent or share your contact information, please email the Education Department to opt out. |
| Force Majeure AATCC shall not be responsible for cancellation, delay, or modification of the Specifier’s Edge Workshop due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including acts of God, government orders, public health emergencies, or other Force Majeure Events. No refunds will be issued due to such circumstances. |
| Workshop Schedule | |
| WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2026 | |
| 8:30 AM | Welcome to AATCC •Safety overview •About AATCC |
| Expanding Your Network •Introduction to Staff and Participants •Tour of AATCC |
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| Why Standardized Testing | |
| The Specifier’s Edge: A Decision Framework •A repeatable approach that applies to any test method, property, or instrument |
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| Color Measurement Principles •Color Overview and exploration of color concepts such as color acuity and applicable best practices, and applicable AATCC standards to reference for color such as EP6, EP9, and EP14 |
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| Testing Considerations to Determine Descriptive Properties | |
| Physical Properties •ASTM D3774 Width of Textile Fabric •ASTM D3776/D3776M Mass Per Unit Area (Weight) of Fabric •AATCC TM20 Fiber Analysis: Qualitative •AATCC TM20A Fiber Analysis: Quantitative |
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| Laundering in a Testing Context •An overview of laundering in a testing context and the use of AATCC LP1, LP2, and LP5 |
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| Performance after Laundering •TM124 Appearance of Fabrics after Home Laundering •TM135/TM150 Dimensional Changes of Fabric/Garments to Home Laundering •TM207 Seam Twist in Garments Before & After Home Laundering |
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| Testing Considerations to Determine Functional Performance | |
| Antibacterial Performance •AATCC TM100 Antibacterial Finishes on Textile Materials: Assessment of •AATCC TM147 Antibacterial Activity Assessment of Textile Materials: Parallel Streak •AATCC TM211 Reduction of Bacterial Odor on Antibacterial Treated Textiles |
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| Pilling and Abrasion Performance •ASTM D4966 Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics (Martindale Abrasion Tester Method) •ASTM D4970 Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Martindale Tester |
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| Resistance /Repellency Performance •TM22 Water Repellency: Spray •TM35 Water Resistance: Rain •TM42 Water Resistance: Impact Penetration •TM127 Water Resistance: Hydrostatic Pressure •TM130 Soil Release: Oily Stain •TM215 Soil Release: Household Soil with LP4 Synthetic Soil |
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| Sustainability •Sustainability Overview and discussion on current sustainability practices and use cases of AATCC TM212 |
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| 5:00 PM | Questions/Wrap-Up and Adjourn |
| THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2026 | |
| 8:30 AM | Day One Overview and Recap |
| Colorfastness Concepts | |
| Colorfastness Grading and Rating •EP1 Evaluation Procedure for Gray Scale for Color Change •EP2 Evaluation Procedure for Gray Scale for Staining •EP8 Evaluation Procedure for 9-Step Chromatic Transference Scale |
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| Colorfastness Performance •TM8 & TM116 Crocking •TM15 Perspiration •TM107 Water •TM61 Accelerated Laundering •TM16.3 Light Xenon Arc |
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| Moisture Management Performance •Moisture Management Overview and exploration of concepts such as AATCC TM79, TM195, TM197, TM198, TM213, and TM217 |
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| Stretch, Tensile & Strength Performance •ASTM D2261 Tearing Strength of Fabrics by the Tongue (Single Rip) Procedure (Constant-Rate-of-Extension Tensile Testing Machine) •ASTM D3786/D3786M Bursting Strength of Textile Fabrics: Diaphragm Bursting Strength Tester Method •ASTM D5035 Breaking Force and Elongation of Textile Fabrics (Strip Method) |
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| Addressing Fabric’s Response to Environmental Factors •TM209 pH and Total Alkali in Processed Textiles: Combined •TM129 Ozone in the Atmosphere under High Humidities •UPF Testing Protocol –TM183 Transmittance or Blocking of Erythemally Weighted Ultraviolet Radiation through Fabrics –ASTM D6455 Preparation of Textiles Prior to Ultraviolet (UV) Transmission; ASTM D6603 Labeling of UV-Protective Textiles |
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| Regulatory Considerations •A discussion of regulatory testing and compliance challenges |
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| Exploring New Technology, Test Methods, and Equipment •Discussion of new and emerging test methods and equipment •Practical considerations for evaluating and adopting new technology |
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| Leaning into your New Network •Troubleshooting Textile Issues •Best Practices for Setting Specifications •Knowledge Assessment |
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| 5:00 PM | Questions and Wrap Up, Distribution of Certificates |
| Notice of Consent and Contact Information Sharing By attending this meeting, you consent to AATCC using any photos, videos, or images of you or your likeness in AATCC media or materials. Additionally, your name, company, and email address will be shared with other event attendees. If you prefer not to consent or share your contact information, please email the Education Department to opt out. |
| Force Majeure AATCC shall not be responsible for cancellation, delay, or modification of the Specifier’s Edge Workshop due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including acts of God, government orders, public health emergencies, or other Force Majeure Events. No refunds will be issued due to such circumstances. |
Online registration* Attendance is limited; early registration is encouraged. Registration includes luncheons, breaks, and digital copies of the Analytical Methods for a Textile Laboratory and Selecting a Textile Testing Lab. Refunds (less $75 cancellation fee) will be honored if received on or before November 23, 2026. No refunds will be given after November 23.
| AATCC Individual & Corporate* Members | Nonmembers | |
|---|---|---|
| Early Registration (Before November 23, 2026) | US$970 | US$1445 |
| Regular Registration (After November 23, 2026) | US$1030 | US$1505 |
| *AATCC Corporate members please contact the Education Department to receive information on how to register at the discounted member’s rate. | ||
| Notice of Consent and Contact Information Sharing By attending this meeting, you consent to AATCC using any photos, videos, or images of you or your likeness in AATCC media or materials. Additionally, your name, company, and email address will be shared with other event attendees. If you prefer not to consent or share your contact information, please email the Education Department to opt out. |
| Force Majeure AATCC shall not be responsible for cancellation, delay, or modification of the Specifier’s Edge Workshop due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including acts of God, government orders, public health emergencies, or other Force Majeure Events. No refunds will be issued due to such circumstances. |
Homewood Suites by Hilton 4603 Central Park Dr. Durham, NC 27703 USA telephone +1.919.474.9900 Cutoff deadline: November 9, 2026 Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly and requesting the AATCC group rate of US$139/night or made online. Reservations must be made by November 9, 2026, to receive the group rate. Reservations made after November 9 are subject to availability and not guaranteed the group rate. Individual cancellations must be made 48 hours prior to arrival. The nearest airport to the AATCC Technical Center is the Raleigh/Durham International Airport. RDU International is approximately 15-20 minutes from the AATCC Technical Center depending on traffic. For those of you flying into the Raleigh/Durham International Airport, the Homewood Suites by Hilton provides complimentary airport pick-up and drop-off. The Homewood Suites by Hilton will provide shuttle service between the hotel and the Technical Center. The shuttle will leave the hotel each morning (Dec. 9 & 10) at 8:00 a.m. At the conclusion of the program on Thursday, the hotel will provide transportation to the Raleigh Durham International Airport.
| Notice of Consent and Contact Information Sharing By attending this meeting, you consent to AATCC using any photos, videos, or images of you or your likeness in AATCC media or materials. Additionally, your name, company, and email address will be shared with other event attendees. If you prefer not to consent or share your contact information, please email the Education Department to opt out. |
| Force Majeure AATCC shall not be responsible for cancellation, delay, or modification of the Specifier’s Edge Workshop due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including acts of God, government orders, public health emergencies, or other Force Majeure Events. No refunds will be issued due to such circumstances. |