Document purpose and hard scope limit
Use this document as a buyer-side RFQ and PO specification for a 240gsm acrylic marine blanket. It covers construction, finish, test acceptance, packing, final inspection and CIF costing. It does not define a waterproof deck mat, flotation article, fire blanket, FR contract textile or permanent outdoor cover.
Hard boundary: a 240gsm acrylic blanket is suitable for indoor saloon, cabin, guest-room and sheltered cockpit use where the article can be dried after damp exposure. It is not for permanent UV exposure, rain storage, wet deck seating or mildew-prone locker storage while wet. If the product must sit on damp grass, teak or salt-sprayed cushions, specify a backed picnic/mat construction instead, such as PU, TPU, PEVA, TPE or Oxford-backed products covered in picnic blanket backing options and waterproof picnic mat backing options.
Recommended product wording for the PO: “240gsm finished acrylic marine guest blanket for saloon, cabin and sheltered cockpit use; brushed/raised face as approved sample; anti-static finish tested on bulk lot; not waterproof; not for permanent outdoor storage.”
Buyer decision block: RFQ terms that prevent most failures
If you only copy one section into your RFQ, use this table. It turns the blanket from a general “marine throw” into a testable procurement item.
| Item | PO requirement | Acceptance criteria | Red flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fibre | 100% acrylic or declared acrylic-rich blend by percentage | Composition by ISO 1833 series or agreed lab method if disputed; tolerance aligned with local labelling law | “Acrylic feel” with no fibre declaration |
| Fabric weight | 240gsm finished fabric weight | 228-252gsm, measured after conditioning at 20 ±2°C and 65 ±4% RH, using ISO 3801 or ASTM D3776 | Greige GSM quoted as finished GSM |
| Finished size | 130 x 170cm or 140 x 180cm | ±2cm before wash; dimensional change within ±3% after agreed wash cycle | Cut size stated instead of finished size |
| Construction | Woven acrylic, warp knit or weft knit stated | Yarn count, weave/stitch density and brushing depth locked by approved pre-production sample | Supplier changes construction after sample approval while keeping GSM similar |
| Face finish | Brushed/raised acrylic if soft wool-like surface is required | Raised fibre nap visible and even; no bald bands, cutter marks or excessive loose fibre after lint removal | Unbrushed fabric substituted to reduce cost |
| Edge | 4-thread overlock, blanket stitch or bound edge | 8-10 SPI typical; no skipped stitches longer than 2 stitches; corner back-tack/secure turn; seam strength minimum 80N by ASTM D5034 or ISO 13935-2 on edge assembly | Loose 3-thread overlock on unstable knit |
| Anti-static | Finish declared and tested on bulk fabric | AATCC 76 surface resistivity reported at 20 ±2°C and 35-40% RH before wash and after 3 washes; finished fabric to show at least one order-of-magnitude lower surface resistivity than untreated control, or buyer-approved historic threshold; no greasy handle or shade shift | Hangtag claim with no test method, conditioning or control fabric |
| Pilling | ISO 12945-2 Martindale or ASTM D4970 / ASTM D3512 stated | Grade ≥3.5 after agreed cycles; grade ≥4 preferred for navy, black and retail-visible charter stock | No pilling requirement on brushed acrylic |
| Wash fastness | ISO 105-C06 method stated | Colour change grade ≥4; staining grade ≥4 on adjacent multifibre, unless buyer approves deeper-shade exception | Dark shades approved only by visual swatch |
| Rubbing fastness | ISO 105-X12 or AATCC 8 stated | Dry rubbing grade ≥4; wet rubbing grade ≥3-4 for navy/charcoal/black | No wet crocking test on dark colours |
| Light fastness | ISO 105-B02 for marine retail or cockpit exposure claims | Grade ≥5 for dark and medium shades; grade ≥4 acceptable only for indoor cabin-only programmes and stated on buyer sign-off | “UV resistant” claim without ISO 105-B02 result |
| Dimensional change | Wash test based on care label | Within ±3% after 3 domestic cycles; stricter or industrial cycle only if specified and sampled | Only pre-wash size checked |
| Chemical compliance | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 scope verified if claimed | Finished blanket certificate preferred; otherwise fibre, fabric, dyeing, anti-static finish, thread, labels and trims all covered by valid evidence | Yarn certificate presented as finished-blanket coverage |
| Inspection | Final random inspection to ISO 2859-1 | AQL 2.5 major / 4.0 minor; critical defects zero acceptance; include GSM, size, shade, sewing, carton count and packing checks | Inspection plan checks only carton quantity |
| CIF | CIF named port, Incoterms 2020 | Cost build-up separates product value, inland transport, export charges, ocean freight, insurance and documents | “CIF Europe” price with no named port or insurance basis |
For charter-season reliability, treat finished GSM tolerance, size tolerance, approved lab dip, anti-static test method, pilling grade, colourfastness, light fastness, OEKO-TEX scope, AQL level, carton packing and CIF named port as purchase-order requirements. Do not leave them inside a generic “marine quality” phrase.
Clarify the technical terms before sampling
“Finished GSM after conditioning” means the fabric weight is measured after dyeing, raising/brushing, softening, anti-static treatment, relaxation and conditioning at 20 ±2°C and 65 ±4% relative humidity. Use ISO 3801 or ASTM D3776. Do not use greige weight or wet-finish process weight as the buying number.
“Brushed” or “raised acrylic” means the fabric surface has been mechanically lifted to create a soft nap. It can improve warmth and handfeel, but it increases the need for pilling, lint and shedding checks. The approved sample must lock the nap height, brushing intensity and shearing level, not just the colour.
“Comparative result versus untreated control” means the lab tests the same base fabric before and after anti-static finishing, under the same conditioning and method. A practical pass rule is either one order-of-magnitude improvement in surface resistivity by AATCC 76 or a buyer-approved threshold based on previous accepted lots. A verbal “better than normal acrylic” is not an acceptance rule.
Construction: what 240gsm acrylic can and cannot do
At 240gsm, an acrylic marine blanket sits in the light-to-mid guest blanket range. It is easier to store than a 400-550gsm camp blanket and dries faster than many cotton-rich blankets. It does not stop water migration. If placed on damp teak or salt-sprayed cushions, water can move through yarn interstices and remain in the raised surface until dried.
A workable construction is 100% acrylic or an acrylic-rich blend with composition declared by percentage. For woven acrylic, yarns around 2/32 Nm to 2/24 Nm are common starting points depending on weave density, brushing depth and target handfeel. For knitted acrylic, the stitch density and relaxation setting need separate approval because knitted structures can feel softer but may show more growth, skew or edge curl.
The PO should state whether the approved sample is woven, warp knitted or weft knitted. A supplier can hit 240gsm using different constructions with very different stretch, loft, pilling and drape. If a charter operator is replenishing stock over several seasons, construction continuity matters as much as colour continuity.
Typical charter sizes are 130 x 170cm and 140 x 180cm. At 240gsm, a 130 x 170cm blanket contains about 0.53kg of fabric before thread, labels and packing. A 140 x 180cm blanket contains about 0.60kg of fabric. Finished packed weight often lands around 0.60-0.75kg per piece depending on edge finish, label set and polybag. These numbers affect carton gross weight, CBM and CIF freight allocation.
A good process route is: yarn or piece dyeing, washing, softening, anti-static treatment, drying, raising/brushing, shearing if required, heat setting or relaxation, cutting, sewing, inspection and packing. The sequence matters. Aggressive brushing after anti-static treatment can reduce surface performance. Silicone softener applied after anti-static chemistry can mask the finish. Ask the mill to keep lot records for dye batch, finishing recipe, dry temperature range and roll numbers.
Anti-static performance: specify a test, not a slogan
Static complaints on yachts are plausible because acrylic blankets are used with polyester uniforms, synthetic upholstery, air-conditioned cabins and low-humidity storage. Guests may feel cling, hair lift or a small discharge when folding the blanket. Anti-static finishes reduce frictional charging and surface resistance, but they are normally finish effects, not permanent fibre properties.
Recommended clause: “Anti-static finish to be applied to bulk fabric. AATCC 76 surface resistivity to be reported on untreated control and finished bulk fabric, conditioned at 20 ±2°C and 35-40% RH. Test before wash and after 3 domestic washes according to the care label. Finished fabric must show at least one order-of-magnitude lower surface resistivity than untreated control at both stages, unless buyer has approved an alternative historic threshold. No greasy handfeel, visible streaking or shade change against approved standard.”
The lower-humidity condition is deliberate. Static problems show up more clearly in dry cabins than in a humid test room. If a lab can only test under a different standard atmosphere, state that condition on the report and do not compare it with previous lots tested under another humidity range.
Finish add-on has trade-offs. More chemistry may reduce static immediately but can leave a waxy touch, attract sunscreen soil, reduce perceived breathability or shift navy and charcoal shades. Too little add-on can disappear after the first wash. We confirm performance by combining lab report, lot recipe, hand-panel review and comparison against the approved pre-production sample. For related finish behaviour on plush polyester, see anti-static finish handfeel and surface behaviour.
Colour, light and pilling tests: assign one standard to each claim
Avoid mixing standards without deciding which one governs acceptance. The RFQ should list one standard per performance claim, with the acceptance grade. Alternative methods can be used for development, but the PO needs a governing method for bulk approval.
| Claim or risk | Recommended governing standard | Acceptance target for 240gsm acrylic marine blanket |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric weight | ISO 3801 or ASTM D3776 | 228-252gsm after finished conditioning |
| Composition | ISO 1833 series, or agreed local lab method | Declared fibre percentage within legal/labelling tolerance |
| Wash fastness | ISO 105-C06 | Colour change ≥4; staining ≥4 |
| Rubbing/crocking | ISO 105-X12 or AATCC 8 | Dry ≥4; wet ≥3-4 for dark shades |
| Light fastness | ISO 105-B02 | Grade ≥5 for cockpit/retail marine positioning; grade ≥4 only for cabin-only use if signed off |
| Pilling | ISO 12945-2, ASTM D4970 or ASTM D3512 | Grade ≥3.5 after agreed cycles; ≥4 preferred on dark colours |
| Seam strength | ASTM D5034 or ISO 13935-2 adapted to edge assembly | Minimum 80N on overlocked/bound edge assembly; no seam slippage, yarn rupture or thread break at normal handling points |
| Anti-static | AATCC 76 plus untreated control comparison | At least one order-of-magnitude improvement versus untreated control before wash and after 3 washes, or approved historic threshold |
| Sampling inspection | ISO 2859-1 | AQL 2.5 major / 4.0 minor; zero acceptance for critical defects |
Light fastness is worth specifying for marine channels even if the blanket is not for permanent outdoor exposure. Cabin windows, cockpit use and retail photography can expose dark acrylic shades to UV. Do not claim “UV resistant” unless ISO 105-B02 or another buyer-approved light exposure test supports the claim. For beach textiles where UV exposure is the main risk, see ISO 105-B02 light fastness for printed beach throws.
Pilling is the most visible failure on raised acrylic. A soft nap can look premium at shipment and tired after short use if the fibre ends are not controlled. Set the pilling method before the pre-production sample, because ISO 12945-2, ASTM D4970 and ASTM D3512 do not always rank fabrics identically. If your brand already uses one pilling method for fleece, keep the same method for comparability. Related fleece pilling controls are discussed in anti-pilling test requirements for 240gsm polar fleece blankets.
OEKO-TEX scope: verify coverage of the finished blanket
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is often requested for yacht charter blankets because the product touches skin and may be used by many guests. The common failure is scope. A yarn certificate does not automatically cover dyed fabric. A fabric certificate does not automatically cover sewing thread, woven labels, printed labels, anti-static finish, softener or the finished article.
For adult yacht charter blankets, Product Class II is commonly relevant because the blanket has direct skin contact. Product Class I is stricter and intended for babies and toddlers. Specify Product Class I only if your sales channel genuinely requires it; it can restrict dyestuffs, finishes and trims. Do not treat Product Class I on one component as equivalent to finished-article coverage.
Buyer checklist for OEKO-TEX scope: certificate number; certificate holder; validity date at shipment; product class; article description; production site or process scope where shown; fibre types; whether finishing chemicals are covered; whether sewing thread, labels and trims are covered; whether the article description reasonably includes acrylic blankets, throws or home textiles. Verify the number through the OEKO-TEX public label check.
If the certificate description only covers acrylic yarn or greige fabric, ask for missing component evidence or a finished-article certificate before allowing the hangtag or website claim. For a broader buyer-side explanation of textile certificates, see textile certifications explained for buyers and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class II versus Class I.
Sewing, labels and packing details that matter on yachts
Edges fail before the fabric fails. A 4-thread overlock is usually a practical cost-to-strength choice for a 240gsm acrylic blanket. Binding gives a more structured edge and better retail appearance, but adds labour, bulk and colour-matching risk. Blanket stitch can look more traditional but must be tested for snagging and thread abrasion.
Recommended sewing criteria: 8-10 stitches per inch for overlock or buyer-approved equivalent; no skipped stitches over 2 consecutive stitches; no open seams; no broken thread; no loose thread tails longer than 10mm after trimming; corners secured by back-tack, overlap or approved turn method. Seam/edge assembly strength target: minimum 80N by ASTM D5034 or ISO 13935-2 adaptation. For heavy stadium blankets, higher targets may be needed; see ASTM D5034 seam strength targets for fleece stadium blankets.
Care labels should follow ISO 3758 symbols where that market expects symbol-based care instructions. For acrylic, avoid over-promising hot wash or high tumble dry unless tested. A cautious starting point is gentle machine wash at 30°C, do not bleach, low tumble or line dry, cool iron only if the fabric and print/label allow it. If the customer uses commercial yacht laundry, test that exact wash and dry cycle; domestic-care results do not prove industrial-laundry durability.
Packing should prevent moisture and lint contamination without trapping wet goods. Standard export packing is one blanket per recyclable polybag or paper belly band plus master carton with liner if the route is humid. For charter supply, many buyers choose 10-20 pieces per carton depending on size and warehouse handling. Keep carton gross weight generally below 18-20kg if hand-loaded distribution is expected. Use desiccant only where allowed by the buyer and destination rules; never pack fabric warm and humid straight after finishing.
AQL inspection plan for bulk shipment
Final random inspection should be to ISO 2859-1, normally General Inspection Level II unless the buyer has a tighter programme. A practical default is AQL 2.5 for major defects and 4.0 for minor defects, with zero acceptance for critical defects. If the blanket is used by hospitality guests, do not reduce inspection to a carton-count check.
| Defect class | Examples | Acceptance position |
|---|---|---|
| Critical | Needle fragment, mould, live insect contamination, wrong fibre content, prohibited chemical claim, sharp foreign object | Zero acceptance |
| Major | Wrong size beyond tolerance, GSM outside 228-252gsm, shade lot mismatch, open seam, large stain, hole, missing care label, wrong logo, failed carton count | AQL 2.5 unless buyer tightens |
| Minor | Loose thread under 10mm, slight crease, small non-prominent slub, minor carton scuff, small label skew within agreed tolerance | AQL 4.0 unless buyer tightens |
Inspection checklist: carton quantity; carton marks; barcode or SKU if used; blanket count per carton; finished size on at least 8-13 pieces depending on lot size; GSM by cutter and calibrated scale; shade against approved standard under D65 and TL84 if relevant; edge sewing; label content; packing moisture or odour; metal detection record if required; anti-static and colourfastness reports matched to bulk lot; OEKO-TEX evidence if claimed. A general blanket QC workflow is covered in blanket quality control inspection and AQL logic is expanded in AQL 2.5 inspection checklist for promotional blankets.
CIF named-port costing: use a short cost model
CIF must name the port and Incoterms version: for example, “CIF Hamburg, Incoterms 2020” or “CIF Rotterdam, Incoterms 2020”. CIF means the seller pays cost, insurance and freight to the named destination port, but risk transfers when goods are loaded on board the vessel at the port of shipment. Import duty, VAT, destination terminal handling, customs clearance, delivery from port and local demurrage are normally buyer-side costs unless a different Incoterm is used.
Ask for a line-separated cost build-up. A single “CIF Europe” number hides changes in ocean freight, origin charges and insurance basis. The model below is illustrative only; actual values move with yarn price, exchange rate, carton CBM, sailing schedule and freight market.
| Cost bucket | Example basis for 140 x 180cm, 240gsm acrylic blanket | What can move the cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric and finishing | Approx. 0.60kg fabric mass plus dyeing, raising, anti-static finish and loss allowance | Acrylic yarn price, dark shade dye cost, brushing/shearing intensity, finish add-on |
| Cut/sew/trim | Edge sewing, thread, care label, brand label, inspection labour | Bound edge versus overlock, logo label type, tighter defect tolerance |
| Inner and export packing | Polybag or belly band, carton, carton liner, marks | Retail pack, FSC paper claim if required, barcode labelling, carton strength |
| Factory overhead and margin | Included in EXW/FOB product value | MOQ, colour count, order season, payment terms |
| Inland transport China | Mill to Ningbo or Shanghai port depending route | Truck fill, pickup timing, mixed-SKU consolidation |
| Origin port charges | Booking, documentation, terminal handling, customs declaration where included | LCL versus FCL, forwarder tariff, documentation requirements |
| Ocean freight | Allocated by CBM or container utilisation | Carton compression, peak-season rates, fuel surcharges, blank sailings |
| Marine insurance | Often based on invoice value plus uplift, depending policy | Coverage terms, insured value, buyer insurance requirement |
Worked CBM check: if one 140 x 180cm blanket packs to roughly 0.006-0.009 CBM depending fold and compression, 2,000 pieces may occupy about 12-18 CBM before pallets. A change from paper belly band to thick zipper bag can push CBM up quickly even if fabric cost is unchanged. For CIF shipments, ask for carton dimensions, pieces per carton, gross/net weight, total CBM and whether the quote assumes loose cartons or pallets.
Landed-cost checklist for the buyer: CIF named port; Incoterms 2020; currency; validity date; MOQ by colour; sample charge; lab-test charge; bulk lead time; carton dimensions; total CBM; gross weight; insurance basis; documents included; origin port; sailing frequency; whether LCL or FCL is assumed; destination charges excluded; duty code to be confirmed by importer or broker. For a broader comparison of Incoterms cost items, see EXW versus FOB Ningbo cost items and custom blanket lead times and shipping.
Sampling and production approval sequence
Do not approve bulk from a handfeel swatch alone. A sensible sequence is lab dip or yarn shade approval, construction sample, finish trial with anti-static treatment, pre-production sample in final size, bulk pilot roll if the order is large or colour-critical, then final random inspection before shipment.
Pre-production sample approval should record: finished size; measured GSM; fabric construction; shade standard; brushing/raising level; edge sewing type; stitch density; label artwork; care instruction; packing method; carton count plan; required test reports; approved deviations if any. Photograph and seal the sample. For repeat orders, keep the sealed sample until the next shipment is accepted.
Typical timing depends on yarn availability, colour count and test queue. As a rough planning range, allow 7-14 days for lab dips, 10-20 days for sampling after material is available, 25-45 days for bulk production after approvals, and additional time for third-party testing and vessel booking. These are planning ranges, not guaranteed lead times.
Frequently asked
Is a 240gsm acrylic marine blanket waterproof? No. A 240gsm acrylic blanket can be comfortable, quick-drying and compact, but water can pass through the textile structure. For wet deck, grass or rain exposure, specify a backed picnic or mat construction with PU, TPU, PEVA, TPE or Oxford backing.
What does finished GSM after conditioning mean? It means the fabric weight is measured after all finishing steps and after conditioning at a standard atmosphere, typically 20 ±2°C and 65 ±4% RH, using ISO 3801 or ASTM D3776. It prevents a supplier from quoting greige weight as if it were finished weight.
What anti-static acceptance rule should be used? Use AATCC 76 surface resistivity with an untreated control, conditioned at 20 ±2°C and 35-40% RH. A practical PO rule is at least one order-of-magnitude lower surface resistivity than untreated control before wash and after 3 washes, with no greasy handfeel, streaking or shade shift.
Which light fastness grade is reasonable for marine guest blankets? For cockpit or marine retail positioning, ISO 105-B02 grade 5 or better is a reasonable target. For cabin-only use, grade 4 may be accepted if the buyer signs off the limitation. Do not claim UV resistance without a light exposure test.
Does an OEKO-TEX yarn certificate cover the finished blanket? Not automatically. The buyer should verify whether the certificate covers the finished article or all relevant components and processes: fibre, dyed fabric, anti-static finish, softener, sewing thread, labels and trims.
What AQL level is suitable for charter blanket shipments? A common default is ISO 2859-1 General Inspection Level II with AQL 2.5 for major defects and 4.0 for minor defects, with zero acceptance for critical defects such as needle fragments, mould or wrong fibre content.
What should be included in a CIF quote? A proper CIF quote should name the destination port and Incoterms 2020, then separate product value, inland transport, export/origin charges, ocean freight, insurance basis, carton dimensions, gross weight and total CBM. Import duty, VAT and destination charges are normally not included under CIF.
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