Material manipulation techniques such as dyes, prints, and fabric finishes

Material Manipulation Techniques

Dyes

Dyeing involves the application of colourants to textile materials to give them lasting colour.
There are many types of dyes such as reactive dyes, acid dyes, basic dyes, direct dyes, and vat dyes.
Reactive dyes, which form a covalent bond with the fibre, are commonly used with cotton and other cellulosic fibres.
Acid dyes are typically used for wool and nylon. They have strong light fastness but poor wash fastness.
Factors such as temperature, time, PH level and dyestuff concentration can affect the final result of dyeing.

Prints

Printing is a process of applying colour to fabric in definite, repeated patterns.
Techniques include block printing, screen printing, heat transfer printing, and digital printing.
Block printing is a manual process where carved wooden blocks are dipped in dye and pressed onto fabric.
Screen printing employs a mesh to transfer ink onto a material, with a separate screen required for each colour used.
Digital printing, an advanced method, involves printing digital images directly onto the fabric, allowing for detailed designs and a wide variety of colours.

Fabric Finishes

Fabric finishes are used to change the appearance, drape, texture, durability or performance of a fabric.
Types include physical finishes and chemical finishes.
Physical finishes may involve heat, pressure, or physical manipulation to achieve desired effects like embossing, calendaring, or fulling.
Chemical finishes involve the application of substances to change fabric properties, such as waterproofing, fire retardance, or shrink resistance.
Finishes can significantly raise the final quality of the fabric, making it more appropriate for specific end uses.