When talking about textiles, “finishing” refers to the last step in the production process, which is the surface treatment. In a general sense, this includes everything done to the fabric after it is pulled from the loom or knitting machine before the textile sourcing process. Garments does not produce from raw materials. Fabric processing accounts for the vast majority of textile processing, whereas textile finishing may perform at either the fabric or garment stage.
Bleaching, mercerizing, dying, and printing are all examples of preparing textile for sourcing fabric. However, this process is often reserved for the last step in the final ornamentation of the finished items, after dying and printing have been completed. Those in need of a dependable method to get textiles in large quantities may find this procedure helpful. Some treatments, performed not at the end but at the intermediate and production stages, are not covered by even these term introductions.
For instance, TiO2 may get include to the spinning fluid to delusture rayon before it leaves the factory. Fabrics’ appearance, physical characteristics, and usability may get improve with a variety of treatments, including but not limit with bleaching, dying, and printing.
Requirement of finishing
It’s necessary to apply some kind of finishing treatment to the majority of the materials. It is possible that calendaring is the only finishing process necessary for a bleached long textile. However, synthetic fibre textiles benefit from treatment like anti-pilling or dirt release finish to enhance their durability.
As a result, innovative techniques apart from traditional finishing procedures came into existence to improve the qualities. And also use of both natural and synthetic fibre textiles. The kind of fibres used, the feel of the fabric, the material’s physical attributes, its intended use, and other variables all influence the finishing process. Different mechanical and chemical processes are applicable to impart different qualities into the fabric, and these finishing procedures vary depending on the kind of fibre manufacturer is using.
Why finishing is Essential
- The requirement for textile finishing get consider below with a few considerations. The principal textile-finishing items are
- To enhance the look of the fabric that makes it more appealing lustre by procedures like calendaring, shearing, optical whitening etc
- To alter the fabric’s texture for better handling by making it softer, stiffer, etc.
- In order to hide flaws in the primary fabric (e.g. by starch finishing)
- In order to make the fabric heavier (e.g. by backfilling with starch or by chloride treatment for silk)
- To increase the durability of fabric by making it resistant to shrinkage (by sanforizing cotton fabric or by non-felting wool), resistant to creases (by integrating appropriate resins), or resistant to pilling and soiling (by anti pilling and soil release finish)
- Fabrics are finished in such a way that they retain their form and may be worn without the need for ironing.
- The process of treating fabric with chemicals to make it resistant to water, flame, moths, etc.
- Some textiles may have their textures set by crabbing or potting (wool). Others can be heat set (synthetic fibre fabrics), which also makes them more dimensionally stable.
- In order to coat, bind, and laminate materials to make automobile seat coverings that last longer and withstand wear and tear:
- Motivated by a desire to inspire a sense of wonderment (e.g. organdie fabrics by parchmentising).
Varieties of possible finishes
Examples of potential textile finishes are here.
- Combinations: bulkiness, softness, limpness, water repellency, and silkiness
- Canvas has a number of desirable qualities, including its pliancy, smoothness, resistance to water, and lack of stains.
- Four distinct textures may get achieve by manipulating cotton fibres: dry, soft, moist, and silky.
- Denim’s bulkiness, smoothness, water resistance, softness, faded appearance, pumice finish, silkiness, and puckeredness.
- Knits that are hydrophilic and hydrophobic, with a feather touch and a comfort feel and that repel spills and stains.
- Threads for sewing have lubricity, increased tensile strength, and a supple texture.
- Terry towels have several desirable qualities, including high water absorbency. Further, a fluffy, soft texture, resistance to stains, and a lack of a fading finish also include.
- Twills may be limp, silky, heavy, bulky, water repellent, wrinkle free, buttery, faded, puckered, bouncy/rubbery, soft, sturdy, stain resistant, and feather touch.
Bottom line
Finishing is an underrated process when it comes to preparing textile. Yet to get the best fabric and improve the textile sourcing process, you need to understand the process. A finishing process does not only improve fabric sourcing. It also helps in deciding whether to buy fabrics without finishing or not. Further, with the knowledge of how fabric finishing is perform, you can modify it as per your choice.
At fabriclore, we support an open procedure for textile sourcing where you can include yourself from selecting base fabric to designing prints for the materials. For this purpose, you can take help from our team of textile engineers to design your fabrics. I am sure you will enjoy the fabric sourcing process with us.
