Start the RFQ with the dimensions that actually control pack size
The first mistake on this product is asking for a "travel blanket with strap" without freezing finished size, edge construction, fold sequence, roll orientation, and storage geometry. A 190gsm microfleece blanket at 120 x 150cm does not pack like the same fabric at 130 x 170cm, and a 20-25mm turned hem adds measurable bulk versus a 3-thread or 4-thread overlock. If the blanket must fit a trolley bay, seatback shelf, amenity drawer, or depot bin, state the usable cavity dimensions on the RFQ and convert them into a maximum packed-cylinder diameter and circumference on the PO.
Do not present knit constructions as interchangeable. Require supplier declaration of the actual fleece substrate on the tech sheet: warp-knit microfleece or circular-knit microfleece. In practice, warp knit tends to show lower lateral stretch and more repeatable roll geometry; circular knit may show more crosswise stretch and more variation after repeated laundering and re-roll. If buyers do not care which structure is used, say so explicitly and control only measurable outputs. If buyers do care, freeze the structure on the approved sample and in the PO.
Avoid supplier-specific shorthand like "one-side brushed, one-side sheared" unless you define the surface result. Better wording is: face with raised microfleece pile, back with lower-cut or less-raised technical surface, anti-pilling finished, no hard glazing, no streaky shear marks visible at 1m under normal inspection lighting. That gives the factory room to use equivalent finishing while preserving the appearance you are actually buying.
Use mandatory wording rather than guidance. Example PO line: Fabric: 190gsm finished RPET microfleece, supplier to declare knit type on production tech sheet; face raised microfleece pile, reverse lower-cut technical surface; anti-pilling finish; finished blanket size 120 x 150cm; 4-side overlock edge; rolled on 120cm side by approved folding sequence. Avoid quoting multiple edge constructions against one price request because overlock, folded hem, and binding change labour, corner bulk, and packed diameter.
Tolerance language should be measurable and tied to a condition state. Example: Finished size 120 x 150cm ±2cm before laundering, measured after minimum 24h conditioning in standard atmosphere; mass per unit area 190gsm ±5% on finished production fabric before cutting. If recycled content matters, state the evidence required at buying stage: acceptable claim standards: GRS or RCS; supplier must hold a current scope certificate covering the relevant process and product category; transaction certificate requirement to be stated by buyer at the finished-goods stage unless yarn-stage traceability is specifically required. For recycled-fleece claim workflow, see rpet-polar-fleece-blankets-with-grs-certification-documentation-buyers.
Separate planning ranges from acceptance criteria
Rail tenders fail when planning estimates are written like inspection limits. Keep two columns in the spec: planning ranges for development and carton engineering, and acceptance criteria for shipment release. Planning ranges help the mill tune finishing and packing. Acceptance criteria are what inspection checks at final random inspection.
A workable mandatory blanket body specification for many rail programs is: 190gsm finished RPET microfleece; supplier-declared knit type; face raised microfleece pile and reverse lower-cut technical surface; anti-pilling finish; colour approved against sealed shade standard; finished size 120 x 150cm ±2cm before laundering; 4-side overlock using 150D polyester thread; overlock width 4-6mm; stitch density 9-12 SPI; no raw-edge exposure beyond overlock bite. If the buyer prefers hemmed edges, rewrite the roll limit because hemmed corners add thickness and corner rebound.
Do not overclaim subjective handfeel. If softness or fullness is commercially sensitive, the controlling reference should be an approved sealed sample retained by buyer and supplier, not wording such as "premium soft hand". Practical wording is: Handfeel and bulk to match approved sealed sample within normal bulk-production variation; sealed sample overrides descriptive text in case of dispute.
Use the same split for packed geometry. Example: development target roll diameter 150-155mm; shipment acceptance average not over 160mm; no individual inspected unit above 165mm. That is clearer than saying the product "usually gives" a certain size. The factory engineers to the target; inspection releases against the acceptance limit.
The same structure works for carton count and gross weight. Example: development pack plan 24 pcs/ctn; shipment acceptance 24 pcs/ctn only if carton remains within approved dimensions and performance requirements; otherwise 20 pcs/ctn by written buyer approval before production.
Why 190gsm is used for rail: weight, warmth and roll bulk
190gsm RPET microfleece sits between lightweight amenity fleece and fuller premium fleece. It is selected where buyers want better coverage than 140-160gsm but still need manageable trolley fit and freight density. The decision should be driven by route duration, storage cavity, cleaning route, and delivered cost per usable cycle, not GSM alone.
For a 120 x 150cm blanket, the calculated fabric mass at 190gsm is 1.20 x 1.50 x 0.190 = 0.342kg. That is the blanket body fabric only. The commonly quoted unit range of 0.34-0.39kg should therefore be read as follows: about 0.342kg body fabric, plus edging thread, care label, woven label if used, and elastic strap. In production, a 38mm elastic loop and sewing components can add roughly 0.015-0.030kg depending on width, thickness and strap length, so a finished packed unit around 0.357-0.372kg is plausible for this size. If your sample is materially above that, check actual finished GSM, oversize cutting allowance, strap construction, and moisture regain at weighing.
A practical buyer-side comparison for a 120 x 150cm rolled blanket is below. These are planning ranges, not shipment acceptance limits, and assume overlocked edges rather than folded hems.
| Finished fabric | Approx finished unit weight | Planning roll diameter | Planning roll circumference | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 160gsm microfleece | 0.29-0.33kg | 130-145mm | 410-455mm | Short-haul, highest pack density |
| 190gsm microfleece | 0.36-0.38kg | 145-160mm | 455-503mm | Balanced rail program |
| 210gsm microfleece | 0.38-0.43kg | 155-170mm | 487-534mm | Longer routes, fuller hand |
| 230gsm fleece | 0.42-0.48kg | 165-185mm | 518-581mm | Premium warmth, lower pack density |
If the trolley cavity caps the usable roll diameter at about 160mm, 230gsm may still work only if blanket size is reduced, edge bulk is minimised, or the product is compressed more aggressively during rolling. Each of those choices has consequences: reduced coverage, tighter seam tolerance, or higher rebound after strap release. For related travel-blanket packing trade-offs, see travel-airline-blanket-weight-packing.
Define a packed-roll test method before writing any diameter limit
Packed diameter and circumference are not meaningful unless the fold method and timing are fixed. For this product, write a simple internal packing test into the PO: Condition finished blanket for minimum 24h; lay flat; fold long sides to centre to finished panel width 38-42cm; fold once crosswise; roll from the 120cm side under normal operator hand tension; apply production elastic strap at centreline; allow 30 minutes dwell; measure immediately after dwell without additional compression.
State both the measurement tool and the recovery condition. A practical method is: diameter measured with calliper or diameter gauge across strap-free section at roll centre; circumference measured with non-stretch tape at strap centreline; record after 30 minutes dwell and again after 60 seconds following strap removal to assess rebound. If you only measure a freshly squeezed roll, you will understate actual service size.
Use separate limits for planning and acceptance. Example: planning roll diameter 150-155mm and planning circumference 470-490mm on approved pre-production sample; shipment acceptance average of inspected sample not more than 160mm diameter and 495mm circumference; no individual inspected unit above 165mm diameter or 503mm circumference under stated method.
Where buyers need a firmer rule, add the fold sequence sketch to the tech pack and state that any change in fold count, rolling orientation, or strap position requires buyer approval because it changes both trolley fit and carton layout.
Convert trolley cavity into enforceable PO limits
Storage geometry should drive the maximum roll size. If a trolley cavity has a usable internal width of 168mm and height of 168mm, using the full dimension is poor practice once label bulge, seam high points, and operator loading variation are considered. A sensible loading clearance for fast manual handling is often 8mm total, leaving a maximum operating diameter of about 160mm.
Where units are stored side-by-side, circumference is often the cleaner control because elastic engineering works from perimeter. Using C = pi x D, a 160mm diameter equals about 503mm circumference. If buyer wants some operating margin, set shipment acceptance at 495mm average circumference and 503mm single-unit maximum under the stated roll test.
A worked example converts one trolley cavity into purchase-order language. Suppose the cavity is 168 x 168 x 430mm. Buyer reserves 8mm total clearance, so accepted blanket roll target is 150-155mm, shipment average limit 160mm, single-unit max 165mm. That geometry supports a strap loop designed around an approved roll circumference of about 480mm at working extension, and it also guides carton count because rolls above 160mm will destabilise carton row packing.
PO wording can therefore read: Packed roll under approved method: development target diameter 150-155mm; shipment acceptance average not over 160mm; no unit over 165mm. Circumference at roll centreline: development target 470-490mm; shipment acceptance average not over 495mm; no unit over 503mm. That is enforceable and linked directly to trolley fit.
Engineer the elastic belly strap instead of leaving it to sample room habit
The elastic strap is a repeat-use component, not just a packing accessory. Most service complaints start here: loose rolls, twisted elastic, seam peel-out, surface pressure marks, or bands that stay stretched after laundry. The PO should define whether the dimension refers to closed-loop circumference or flat length. For closed-loop straps, loop circumference is the cleaner control because it is what governs fit around the rolled blanket.
A practical strap specification for this product is: elastic strap, black or approved shade, latex-free knitted or woven elastic unless buyer approves natural-rubber content; width 38mm ±2mm; thickness 1.2-1.8mm; finished closed-loop circumference 398mm ±10mm relaxed after 24h conditioning; extension in use 15-22% on approved packed roll; residual growth after 5 extension cycles to 120% of relaxed length not over 8%; recovery after 1 minute minimum 92%. Wider elastic generally distributes pressure better than 20-25mm bands and reduces roll edge curl.
Use a worked formula on the development sheet. If approved roll circumference at centreline is 470mm and target working extension is 18%, required relaxed loop circumference is 470 / 1.18 = 398mm. If the strap is made from an open elastic length joined with 10mm overlap and expected seam take-up of about 4mm, the cut length is about 402mm to deliver a finished loop near 398mm. Quote tolerance on the finished loop, not the cut length.
Joining and attachment need their own requirements. For a closed loop, specify overlap joint 10-15mm; 2-row box stitch or equivalent zigzag lock; minimum seam strength 120N in loop pull test. For a captive strap sewn into the blanket seam, specify insertion width minimum 25mm each side; reinforcement by box stitch or 2 x bar-tack; bar-tack length 12-16mm; minimum total stitches per bar-tack 28; no skipped stitches; no sharp thread ends.
Add a simple internal strap test to the tech pack: apply strap to approved packed roll substitute cylinder matching 480mm circumference, hold for 30 minutes, remove and check no twist above 15 degrees from seam line, no seam opening, no yarn break, and recovery within stated limit after 1 minute. For repeat-use retention, require minimum 10 laundering cycles in the agreed wash route with no joint failure and no more than 10% permanent extension.
Write the cleaning durability route as a test protocol, not a promise
Claims such as "suitable for repeated cleaning" are too loose for rail procurement. Define the route. For many rail blanket programs, a reasonable buyer protocol is: ISO 6330 domestic laundering reference route or buyer-approved commercial equivalent; 40C wash; non-chlorine detergent; liquor chemistry pH 6.5-8.5; no chlorine bleach; no peroxide concentration above buyer-agreed level if colour is dark; tumble dry low not exceeding 60C exhaust or line dry under controlled conditions. If the operator uses industrial laundry, state that instead and write a separate acceptance route.
A practical qualification test is 10 wash-and-dry cycles on the sealed sample and pre-production sample, then release bulk only after results are accepted. Pass/fail criteria can read: dimensional change not more than 3% length or width; shade change minimum grade 4 to approved standard; pilling minimum grade 3-4 by agreed method; no seam opening; no overlock break longer than 20mm; strap retention no joint failure and no more than 10% permanent extension after cycling.
For pilling, rail buyers often specify a method such as ISO 12945-2 with an agreed minimum grade after a stated cycle count. For colourfastness to washing, specify a method such as ISO 105-C06 with the exact procedure variant agreed before testing. What matters is not the standard name alone but the route, cycle count, and pass level written into the PO.
If the product is intended for first-passenger-contact use and packed after washing, many buyers also ask for a needle-detection or foreign-matter control statement and a lint-shedding review appropriate to the service environment. Keep those requirements in a separate compliance appendix so they are not lost in the pack-size discussion. For adjacent laundering guidance, see blanket-care-washing-guide and iso-6330-domestic-laundering-protocols-for-240gsm-coral-fleece-throws-.
Add explicit colour-control wording
"Approved standard" is not enough for dark rail colours, especially navy, charcoal and black, where lot drift can be visible under mixed cabin lighting. The PO should say whether instrumental colour data is binding or whether the sealed physical standard overrides it.
Practical wording is: Colour to match buyer sealed standard under D65 and TL84 lighting. If instrumental control is used, measure against approved standard using agreed instrument geometry and illuminant; target Delta E CMC or Delta E 2000 tolerance to be stated by buyer. In case of dispute, sealed physical standard prevails over instrumental data unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Also write the lot rule. Example: One shipment one shade lot unless buyer approves mixed dye lots by carton marking. Shade variation within carton not allowed. Side-by-side carton-to-carton variation to remain within approved standard under normal warehouse lighting. That prevents the common problem of mixed visual shade on trolley loading.
FOB packing specification: carton geometry, count, weight and container planning
If the title promises FOB specs, the article needs actual FOB content. A practical starting specification for a 120 x 150cm, 190gsm RPET microfleece blanket with 38mm elastic strap is: rolled unit packed individually or bulk-packed as agreed; 20 or 24 pcs per export carton depending on approved roll diameter; carton size tolerance ±10mm; net weight and gross weight to be stated per carton on packing list and carton mark. The correct count depends on the approved roll test, not on a generic template.
One workable FOB example is 24 pcs/ctn at approved roll diameter around 150-155mm, packed in a master carton about 62 x 47 x 52cm. That gives a carton volume around 0.152 CBM. If finished unit net weight is about 0.365kg, carton net weight is about 8.76kg; with carton, polybags if used, and tape, gross weight may land around 9.8-10.6kg. If rolls trend closer to the shipment limit of 160-165mm, the same carton may no longer carry 24 pieces cleanly without bulge, so an approved fallback might be 20 pcs/ctn in about 62 x 47 x 44cm, around 0.128 CBM.
Write carton-performance requirements, not just geometry. For many export blanket programs, a sensible baseline is: 5-ply corrugated export carton, minimum burst strength 200lb/in² or ECT 32 as buyer market requires, dry and clean board, outer flaps taped H-seal, internal poly liner or bag where moisture protection is required, no carton deformation affecting pallet stability, and no gross weight above buyer manual-handling limit. If cartons will move through rail depots or parcel networks, ask for a defined drop expectation such as no product damage and no carton burst after standard corner/edge/face drops appropriate to carton weight.
For palletised FOB moves, add: palletisation only if buyer requests; pallet overhang not allowed; stretch wrap and top sheet required for humid-season loading; carton labels on two adjacent sides; pallet height and gross weight to buyer limit. For loose-load container programs, state whether palletisation is prohibited to maximise loading.
A container-planning example makes the cost implication clearer. Using the 24 pcs/ctn, 0.152 CBM example, a program of 10,000 blankets needs about 417 cartons and roughly 63.4 CBM before loading inefficiency. That is enough to trigger a discussion on whether to keep the fuller hand or pull the target roll diameter back by a few millimetres to improve cube. FOB terms should also state the port, booking responsibility, and document set.
Use AQL that matches the risk on this product
If the lede promises AQL checkpoints, write the inspection basis clearly. A common framework for this category is ANSI/ASQ Z1.4, General Inspection Level II for final random inspection, with AQL 0 for critical defects, 2.5 for major defects, and 4.0 for minor defects. Sample size depends on lot quantity under the standard sampling table, so write the standard rather than inventing a fixed sample count for every order.
Define defect classes for this blanket, otherwise inspection becomes subjective. Practical critical defects: metal contamination where needle policy applies, sharp foreign object, gross mould contamination, incorrect legal label where mandated, or any contamination making the product unsafe for passenger use. Practical major defects: finished size out of tolerance, wrong GSM outside tolerance if fabric check is part of final release, roll diameter above single-unit limit, wrong strap loop circumference outside tolerance, broken strap joint, open seam, obvious hole, severe shade mismatch to sealed standard, carton count shortage, wrong carton dimensions affecting fit or loading. Practical minor defects: loose thread ends beyond agreed trim, slight overlock irregularity not affecting function, light soil removable by normal cleaning, minor label skew, or small print/label cosmetic faults if decoration is used.
Add measurement instructions to the inspection appendix. Example: for packed-roll inspection, sample units are conditioned to ambient warehouse state, then measured per approved roll method; for strap loop circumference, remove strap and measure relaxed after minimum 1 hour recovery; for finished size, measure blanket laid flat without tension after conditioning. That prevents the factory and inspector using different states.
If buyer wants stricter release on trolley fit than on general sewing appearance, say so explicitly. There is no rule that all major defects must carry the same commercial weight. For related inspection structure, see aql-2-5-inspection-checklist-for-200gsm-coral-fleece-promotional-blank and blanket-quality-control-inspection.
Fill-in RFQ block for a 190gsm RPET rail blanket
Use this RFQ block to stop the usual ambiguity before sampling starts.
Product: RPET microfleece travel blanket with elastic belly strap
End use: Rail passenger service / trolley storage
Finished size: ____ x ____ cm before laundering, tolerance ____
Finished GSM: 190gsm target, tolerance ____
Fibre claim: RPET under ____ standard; current scope certificate required from ____ stage; transaction certificate required at ____ stage
Knit declaration: warp knit / circular knit / either acceptable if outputs meet spec
Surface finish: face raised microfleece pile, reverse lower-cut technical surface, anti-pilling finish
Edge finish: 4-side overlock / hem / binding; thread spec ____; SPI ____
Colour control: sealed standard ref ____; instrumental Delta E method yes/no; sealed sample overrides yes/no
Roll method: fold sequence attached yes/no; roll from ____ side; strap at centreline yes/no
Packed-roll planning target: diameter ____ mm; circumference ____ mm
Packed-roll shipment acceptance: average diameter ____ mm; single-unit max ____ mm; average circumference ____ mm; single-unit max ____ mm
Elastic strap: latex-free yes/no; width ____ mm; thickness ____ mm; finished loop circumference ____ mm; working extension ____%; joint construction ____; minimum loop strength ____ N
Wash qualification route: standard/method ____; wash temp ____C; detergent/chemistry limits ____; dry method ____; cycle count ____
Wash pass criteria: shrinkage ____%; pilling grade ____; shade change ____; strap permanent extension ____%; no seam/strap failure
FOB packing: ____ pcs/ctn; carton size ____ x ____ x ____ cm; CBM ____; NW/GW target ____ / ____ kg; carton board grade ____; liner yes/no; palletisation yes/no
Inspection: ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 level ____; AQL critical ____ / major ____ / minor ____
Documents required: packing list, commercial invoice, carton marks, scope certificate copy if claimed, transaction certificate if required, test reports if required
Incoterm and port: FOB ____
Delivery window: ____
Sample approval basis: sealed sample / shade swatch / pre-production sample / all three
The practical ending: lock the method before negotiating price
For this product, the biggest avoidable cost is not usually fleece price per kilogram; it is the cost of ambiguity. If you ask three mills to quote a "190gsm RPET travel blanket with strap", one may price circular knit with narrow elastic and soft rolling, another may price warp knit with wider elastic and tighter roll control, and a third may assume a different carton count. Their FOB numbers are not comparable until the packing method, strap geometry, and carton basis are aligned.
The safest buying sequence is straightforward. First, convert trolley cavity into a shipment roll limit. Second, engineer the strap from that roll circumference instead of approving whatever fits the first sample. Third, qualify the wash route with an agreed cycle count and pass/fail criteria. Fourth, freeze carton count only after the approved roll method is stable. Then price the program on an FOB basis with carton dimensions, gross weight, and loading assumptions written down.
If you need the shortest enforceable PO version, keep these lines non-negotiable: finished size and GSM tolerance, knit declaration or equivalent output rule, sealed colour standard, packed-roll test method, average and single-unit roll limits, strap loop circumference and strength, wash qualification route and pass criteria, carton count and dimensions, carton performance grade, ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 inspection level, and AQL defect classes. That is enough to turn a sample-room blanket into a tender-ready rail item.
For adjacent spec decisions on recycled fleece and travel packing, the most relevant supporting reads are rpet-polar-fleece-blankets-with-grs-certification-documentation-buyers, travel-airline-blanket-weight-packing, and blanket-quality-control-inspection.
Frequently asked
What does 190gsm mean for a 120 x 150cm RPET microfleece rail blanket? It means the finished fabric weighs about 190 grams per square metre. At 120 x 150cm, the blanket body fabric mass is about 0.342kg before thread, labels and strap. A realistic finished unit for this size is often around 0.36-0.38kg if edge construction stays light and the strap is a 38mm loop.
Should the PO control roll diameter or circumference? Control both, but use them for different purposes. Diameter ties directly to trolley cavity clearance. Circumference ties directly to elastic-strap engineering. Write a defined roll test method, then set planning targets and separate shipment acceptance limits for both measurements.
How should packed-roll size be measured? Use a stated method: condition the blanket, follow the approved fold sequence, roll from the defined side, apply the production strap at the centreline, allow a fixed dwell time such as 30 minutes, then measure diameter at the roll centre and circumference at the strap centreline. If rebound matters, also record size 60 seconds after strap removal.
What is a workable elastic belly strap specification for rail travel blankets? A common starting point is latex-free 38mm elastic, 1.2-1.8mm thick, with finished closed-loop circumference around 398mm for a 470mm approved roll circumference at about 18% working extension. Add recovery, permanent-extension and seam-strength requirements so the strap survives repeated use and washing.
What AQL is typical for this product? Many buyers use ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 General Inspection Level II with AQL 0 for critical defects, 2.5 for major defects and 4.0 for minor defects. The sample size depends on lot quantity under the standard table, so the PO should name the inspection standard rather than one fixed sample count for every order.
What RPET compliance documents should buyers ask for? State the acceptable recycled-claim standard by name, commonly GRS or RCS, and require a current scope certificate from the manufacturer covering the relevant process. If you need claim verification on the shipment itself, state whether a transaction certificate is required at yarn, fabric or finished-goods stage. For most finished blanket programs, the requirement is set at finished-goods stage.
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