What term describes fabric that may shrink up to 3 percent?

The term that describes fabric that may shrink up to 3 percent is "sanforized." This process involves treating fabric to preemptively prevent excessive shrinking when it is washed. Fabrics that are sanforized are typically more stable and have undergone a systematic process to ensure that they will not shrink significantly after initial laundering.

Preshrunk fabrics are designed to undergo a similar treatment, but the distinction is that preshrunk indicates a broader approach to minimizing shrinkage rather than a specific level. Sanforization specifically addresses and limits shrinkage to generally within that 3 percent threshold.

Ready-to-wear refers to products that are mass-manufactured and available for immediate purchase, not directly relating to shrinkage characteristics. Private label implies products that are branded by a retailer but produced by another manufacturer, which does not pertain to the shrinkage properties of the fabric itself.

Thus, sanforized is the precise term that denotes the fabric's treatment against shrinkage while allowing for a small margin.