"The processes that convert the woven or knitted cloth into a usable material and more specifically to any process performed after dyeing the yarn or fabric to improve the look, performance, or 'hand' (feel) of the finished textile or clothing."
The techniques used to improve or alter the properties of textiles, such as softening, crease-resistance, water-repellency and flame-retardancy.
Fiber identification: To understand the fabric finishing process, it's essential to first identify the fibers present in the fabric.
Pre-treatment processes: The pre-treatment process involves various activities like desizing, scouring, bleaching, and mercerizing. These processes help in removing any impurities and giving the fabric a clean surface.
Dyeing: This process involves adding color to the fabric to enhance its appearance.
Printing: In this process, the fabric is decorated with a design or pattern by applying color pigments in a particular way.
Finishing processes: These processes include mechanical or chemical treatments applied to textiles to improve their appearance or other functional properties, such as wrinkle resistance, shrink resistance, water repellency, and flame retardancy.
Coating and Laminating: Coating and laminating are processes in which one or more layers of functional coatings or plastic films are added to the surface of the fabric.
Shrinking and Relaxing: In the process of relaxing, the fibers in the fabric are relaxed or loosened to make the garment more comfortable to wear. On the contrary, in the shrinkage process, the fibers are tightened or shrunk to make the fabric shrink less when it is washed.
Mercerization: Mercerization is a chemical process that results in the improvement of the fabric's strength, dyeability, shine, and softness.
Calendering: Calendering is a mechanical process in which rollers are used to produce a smooth fabric surface and give it a specific finish.
Sanforizing: It is a finishing process in which the fabric is pre-shrunk before it is cut and sewn into a garment.
Ultrasuede: Ultrasuede is a type of fabric created from polyester microfibers that are given a suede-like texture through a unique finishing process.
Flannel finishing: Flannel finishing techniques are used to make the fabric warmer, thicker and more comfortable to wear.
Knit finishing: Knit finishing is the process of improving the appearance and texture of the knit fabric.
Permanent Press Finishing: This finishing process is used to create wrinkle-free garments, making them easy to care for.
Water and stain-resistant finish: The finishing process is used to create a barrier against water and staining. Clothing will stay clean and dry for more extended periods in wet or dirty conditions.
Easy Care: A finish that leads to a garment requiring minimal care and remains fresh, crisp, and clean looking.
Biofinishing: When enzymes are employed in the finishing process, it is referred to as biofinishing. It is used to improve the feel and fit of the fabric.
Hydrophilic and hydrophobic finishes: These finishes are designed to cause the fabric to either repel moisture or to retain it.
Thermal Conductivity Finishing: Finishes designed to increase the ability of the fabric to conduct heat, especially for garments meant to regulate the body's temperature.
Breathable Finish: Breathable finishing is designed, using a balance between airflow and moisture content, to create garments that allow moisture to escape while keeping the wearer comfortable.
Antimicrobial finish: When added during the finishing process, antimicrobial agents maintain garments' freshness by inhibiting bacterial and fungal growth that causes odor and prolonged wear.
Mercerizing: A process of treating cotton fabric with sodium hydroxide solution, which makes the fabric stronger, more durable, and less prone to shrinking.
Sanforizing: A process of pre-shrinking cotton fabric before cutting and sewing, to ensure the final product does not shrink or warp after washing.
Calendaring: A process of pressing fabric between rollers to create a smooth and shiny surface.
Singeing: A process of burning surface fibers of fabric to create a smoother surface and prevent pilling.
Flannel finish: A process of brushing fabric to create a soft, fuzzy surface.
Anti-static finish: A process of treating fabric to reduce static electricity.
Water-resistant finish: A process of adding a coating to fabric to make it resistant to water.
Flame-retardant finish: A process of treating fabric to make it fire-resistant.
Wrinkle-resistant finish: A process of treating fabric to prevent wrinkles or creases.
Stain-resistant finish: A process of treating fabric to repel stains and make it easier to clean.
UV-resistant finish: A process of treating fabric to protect against UV rays.
Odor-resistant finish: A process of treating fabric to reduce or eliminate odors.
Antibacterial finish: A process of treating fabric to prevent the growth of bacteria.
Chlorine-resistant finish: A process of treating fabric to resist damage from chlorine.
Iron-free finish: A process of treating fabric to prevent the need for ironing.
"Fabric after leaving the loom or knitting machine is not readily useable. Called grey cloth at this stage, it contains natural and added impurities."
"Grey fiber or yarn or fabric goes through a series of processes such as wet processing and finishing."
"Finishing adds value to the product and makes it more attractive, useful, and functional for the end-user."
"Improving surface feel, aesthetics, and addition of advanced chemical finishes are some examples of textile finishing."
"Some finishing techniques such as bleaching and dyeing are applied to yarn before it is woven while others are applied to the grey cloth directly after it is woven or knitted."
"Some finishing techniques, such as fulling, became outdated with the industrial revolution."
"Others, such as mercerisation, are developments following the Industrial Revolution."
"It prepares for the next step, making the product more receptive to the next stage of manufacturing."
"Finishing is a broad range of physical and chemical treatments that complete one stage of textile manufacturing and may prepare for the next step."
"Finishing adds value to the product and makes it more attractive, useful, and functional for the end-user."
"[...] any process performed after dyeing the yarn or fabric to improve the look, performance, or 'hand' (feel) of the finished textile or clothing."
"[...] improve the look, performance, or 'hand' (feel) of the finished textile or clothing."
"[...] wet processing and finishing."
"[...] improve the look, performance, or 'hand' (feel) of the finished textile or clothing."
"[...] addition of advanced chemical finishes."
"Any process performed after dyeing the yarn or fabric."
"Finishing adds value to the product and makes it more attractive, useful, and functional for the end-user."
"Some finishing techniques, such as fulling, became outdated with the industrial revolution while others, such as mercerisation, are developments following the Industrial Revolution."
"To complete one stage of textile manufacturing and prepare for the next step."