# Shrinkage — Boring Label Textile Glossary

*Shrinkage is the reduction in fabric dimensions after washing and drying, caused by fibre relaxation and tension release. It's measured as a percentage of original dimensions.*

*Boring Label · boringlabel.com · hello@boringlabel.com*

---

## Understanding the Term

### Why cotton shrinks — and how to control it.

During manufacturing, cotton fabric is stretched under tension. When exposed to heat and moisture in a washing machine, the fibres relax back toward their natural state, causing the fabric to contract. This is shrinkage.

Shrinkage is not a defect — it's a physical property of natural fibres. The question is whether the manufacturer accounts for it. Uncontrolled shrinkage can range from 5–10%, turning your medium into an uncomfortable fitted shirt.

Pre-shrinking treatments during manufacturing can reduce residual shrinkage to under 3%. This means the garment you buy is already close to its final dimensions. What you try on in store (or measure from the size chart) is what you'll have after washing.

---

## Why It Matters

### How shrinkage control affects fit.

The difference between a shirt that fits and one that used to.

- **Consistent Sizing** — Pre-shrunk garments maintain their labeled size. A medium stays a medium after washing, not something between a medium and a small.
- **Shape Retention** — Controlled shrinkage means the garment maintains its proportions. The length-to-width ratio stays consistent rather than distorting unevenly.
- **Consumer Trust** — When a size chart is accurate after washing, customers order correctly the first time. Returns drop. Satisfaction rises. It starts with shrinkage control.

---

## Our Standard

### Under 3% residual shrinkage.

Our fabric undergoes compressive shrinkage treatment at our Bhiwandi facility before cutting. We pre-shrink in controlled conditions that simulate multiple wash cycles, ensuring the garment you receive has already done most of its shrinking. Residual shrinkage is tested at under 3% in both length and width.

- **<3%** Residual Shrinkage — Post-wash dimensional stability across all sizes

---

## Shrinkage — your questions, answered.

Common questions about fabric shrinkage.

**Will your t-shirts shrink at all?**

Less than 3% in any direction. On a standard medium, that's roughly 1–2cm — barely perceptible. After the first wash, the garment stabilises and won't shrink further.

**Should I size up to account for shrinkage?**

No. Our size chart reflects post-wash dimensions. Order your true size.

**Does hot water cause more shrinkage?**

Yes. We recommend cold or lukewarm washing (30°C). Hot water increases fibre relaxation and can push shrinkage beyond the 3% threshold even in pre-shrunk garments.

**Does the dryer cause shrinkage?**

Tumble drying on high heat can cause additional shrinkage. We recommend low heat or air drying for best results. But even with tumble drying, our pre-shrunk treatment keeps shrinkage within acceptable limits.

---

## See It in Practice

Order your size. Wash it. It'll still be your size.

Free returns · 30 washes guaranteed · ₹1,299

**Shop:** https://amzn.to/3P2XaNk

---

*© 2026 Boring Label. All rights reserved.*

[Visit boringlabel.com](https://boringlabel.com) | [Email us](mailto:hello@boringlabel.com)