On a coating spec, PA can mean an acrylic or polyacrylate coating. In a fiber listing, it can mean polyamide (nylon). If a supplier quotes “PA,” it’s worth asking which one they mean. Here we’re talking about an acrylic polymer applied to the face of a fabric…
A PU coating uses a polyurethane resin system, with additives that vary by formulation. A continuous coating can help keep wind and water out. Hydrophilic and microporous PU systems move water vapor in different ways, so the label “PU” tells you only part of…
In rotary screen printing, the fabric moves continuously under rotating cylindrical screens. Print paste passes through openings in each screen and onto the fabric. A multicolor design typically has a separate screen for each color, and those screens need to…
When rain beads up on a jacket, you’re seeing water repellency at the surface. A durable water repellent finish, or DWR, helps the face fabric resist wetting. A waterproof coating or membrane is designed to resist water passing through the fabric under pressu…
DTY stands for draw textured yarn, and FDY stands for fully drawn yarn. Both are commonly made in polyester and nylon. The abbreviations describe how the filament yarn is made. Polymer type and recycled content are separate parts of the spec.
Definition: Remove warp starch to improve scouring and dyeing accessibility.
Definition: Remove oils, waxes, impurities, and some auxiliaries.
Definition: Remove natural pigments to increase whiteness.
Definition: Treat cotton fibers under tension with concentrated alkali.
Definition: High-temperature short-time burning off surface fuzz.
Definition: Use heat to set thermoplastic fibers.
Definition: Mechanical process to reduce subsequent shrinkage.
Definition: Control fabric width and drying conditions.
Definition: Compress fabric with heated rollers under pressure.
Definition: Reduce fiber surface friction.
Definition: Cellulase enzyme removes surface fuzz.
Definition: Sanding surface to create micro-nap.
Brushing
Napping
Definition: Trimming pile height evenly.
Definition: Creates irregular wrinkled 3D effects.
Definition: Heated/pressed molds form 3D patterns.
Definition: Chemical crosslinking reduces wrinkling.
Definition: Film formed on release paper then transferred to fabric.
