Custom fabric dyeing
Custom Fabric Dyeing (kŭs'təm-făb'rĭk-′dī·iŋ) is a process of finishing and dyeing textile. The concept of custom fabric dyeing can be methodical and rigorous. Custom Fabric Dyeing consists of evaluation of solids, textures, flannels, toweling, printed solids, printed textures and trims; checking color patterns in light box under three light sources and with X-Rite spectrophotometer; supervising quality in finish-dyeing departments.
Among some of the natural fabric compositions that Custom Fabric Dyers treat are: cotton, linen, rayon, hemp, wool, viscose and silk. It is possible to dye blends of natural fabric and non-natural fabric (nylon, polyester, acetate); however, the colorfastness and color matching may not produce the expected result. Furthermore, the composition of non-natural fabric does not generally retain color well and may bleed and/or change color when washed.
Some of the industry-known fabric dyes include: Clariant's Drimarene K, DyStar's Remazol and Levafix E. Such dyes ensure best colorfastness and permanent results even in hot water washing. If the fabric is made of wool it is generally best to dye it with Clariant's acid dyes, Sandolan MF and Nylosan N.
Some garments experience shrinkage during the fabric dyeing process. Thorough preliminary analysis of the material is therefore required for the fabric to sustain a minimum amount of shrinkage. Performing analysis of garments on weight and shrinkage; correcting indices to suit appropriate methods of drying, fluffing and ironing; checking colorfastness to washing in hot and cold water; computer processing of color samples and lab testing are some of the methods required to achieve this minimum shrinkage.