Soft and warm, acrylic is the closest synthetic alternative to wool, and allows for more lightweight warmth and durability. Acrylic is often mixed with polyester, and used in sweaters and fleeces. These are great for sports in the extreme cold, and those where you don’t build up quite as much of a sweat, like hiking. Unlike wool, it won’t shrink or fade in the wash.
Is a trademarked process of spinning cotton. The spinning process produces a yarn that is softer and stays softer than more traditionally produced yarns.
Cotton yarn that has been combed to remove short fibers and straighten or arrange longer fibers in parallel order resulting in a smooth yarn used in finer garments. A secondary cleansing process performed to remove additional impurities from the staple fiber after carding.
A soft, fluffy fiber obtained from the cotton plant. Cotton is the most widely used natural fiber in the world, valued for its breathability, comfort, and versatility.
A finish used on a sleeve and/or bottom hem(used also for bags) that uses two needles to create parallel rows of visible stitching. It gives the garment a cleaner, more finished look and adds durability.
Textile customization method that consists in creating a visual on a paper specially designed for flocking, then to deposit this visual on the fabric to be flocked before using a hot press to transfer the visual on the textile.
Refers to a garment construction technique where additional fabric panels are inserted to provide extra room, flexibility, or reinforcement in key areas such as underarms or crotches
Refers to a garment construction technique where additional fabric panels are inserted to provide extra room, flexibility, or reinforcement in key areas such as underarms or crotches
A yarn that is spun using pre-dyed fibers. These fibers are blended together to give a particular look. (For example, black and white may be blended together to create a gray heathered yarn.) The term, heather, may also be used to describe the fabric made from heathered yarns.
An Ingress Protection (IP) rating indicating that a device or garment is waterproof and can withstand immersion in water up to a certain depth for a specified time
A type of fabric with a flat appearance, knit on a circular, single-knit machine; its principal distinction is that it is not a fabric with a distinct rib. Also a garment, the same as a sweater.
Refers to the technique of creating fabric by interlocking loops of yarn rather than weaving. "Knit cuffs" typically refer to the cuffs on sleeves or pant legs made using this technique.
An elastomeric fiber that is blended with other fibers. Can stretch 500 percent without breaking. Holds dyes well and is resistant to heat. Trademark owned by du pont.
A high density, anti-pilling fleece made of knit micro-fibers that are brushed less than a regular fleece garment. It has a high capacity for warmth without the weight.
This fabric is tightly woven from a very fine poly thread and has a sueded finish for a luxurious, soft feel. Microfiber fabric is naturally water repellent due to its construction process and when specially treated, can also be waterproof.
Nylon was made in 1935, and may or may not have been named after New York and London, when its creators were flying between the two cities. Nylon is very strong and durable, especially for such a lightweight material. It’s also water-resistant, and normally used for outerwear, such as jackets, or swimwear.
The world's favorite synthetic textile. Polyester was first patented during WWII, and became commercially popular a couple of decades later, mostly for its anti-wrinkle properties and durability.
Rayon is considered semi-synthetic. The raw ingredient, usually wood pulp, is natural, but the processes used to refine it stop it from being classified as such. It’s the closest replica to silk, and very soft. Mostly used in dresses and blouses, it's also found in loose-fitting sportswear, like tank tops and t-shirts.
Also known as lycra or elastane, spandex is the king of stretch. Often combined with other materials such as nylon, to add its elastic quality. Spandex is used to make close-fitting clothing such as leggings. Swimming, cycling, and yoga gear usually have at least some spandex in them.
Method of textile customization where the ink is directly applied to the fabric to be customized using a frame (called a screen printing carousel) on which the fabric is placed, which is then covered with a stencil where the colors are applied one after the other.
Method of textile printing which consists of printing the desired image on a special paper, using sublimation inks. The paper is then pushed with a hot press on the fabric which ensures that the ink is injected directly into the textile. So the image is not on top (as with flocking) of the textile but is inside the textile.
Supima is the marketing brand for American-grown Pima cotton. This type of cotton is of exceptional quality and softness thanks to its fibers which are 30% longer than average. This type of cotton is therefore softer and 45% stronger than normal cotton. Being grown exclusively in Texas and California, only 1% of apparel worldwide is made with Supima Cotton. Because Pima cotton is so much softer, it is very popular for textiles like t-shirts, socks and underwear.
Utilises a mesh screen to transfer ink onto various substrates. Offers high-quality, durable prints suitable for a wide range of materials and designs.
Fastener for clothes or other items, consisting of two strips of thin plastic sheet, one covered with tiny loops and the other with tiny flexible hooks, which adhere when pressed together and can be separated when pulled apart.
Moisture wicking refers to fabrics engineered to transport moisture away from the skin, keeping the wearer dry and comfortable during physical activity.