Finishing:

The operations carried out in a textile finishing mill include:

(1) Preparation, in which the goods are scoured and bleached in readiness for finishing;
(2) Dyeing or printing;
(3) Mechanical finishing procedures, usually performed on dry material;
(4) Thermal processes including drying and heat setting;
(5) Wet finishing processes in which the goods are treated with solutions of appropriate
chemicals and subsequently dried.

Textile finishing involves treating a textile material in such a way that the product
has the desired aesthetic and functional properties required for its intended use
and therefore has greater market value. The desired properties may include the fabric’s
dimensions and their stability, its weight, drape, appearance, softness and handle, as well as
any required functional properties such as resistance to creasing, flames, water, oil, dirt or
bacteria.
Finishing enhances fabric performance, quality, cost, and appearance.

A finish is any process that is done to a fiber, yarn, or fabric either before or after
fabrication to change the appearance (what is seen), the hand (what is felt), the
performance (what the fabric does), or a combination of these properties. All finishing
processes add to the cost of the end product and to the time it takes to produce the item. Additionally,
finishing often utilizes chemicals that are damaging to the environment and includes processes that can
damage the fiber or fabric.

Any operation for improving the appearance or usefulness of a fabric after it leaves
the loom or knitting machine can be considered a finishing step. Finishing is the
last step in fabric manufacturing and is when the final fabric properties are
developed.
FINISHING" is the last/final step in the manufacturing of textile materials.

Process by which the final properties of the material are developed.

Alter the appearance, aesthetics, & surface characteristics for improved product performance

Property modification is achieved through various techniques, both chemical and physio-chemical.

Objectives of Finishes
 Modify or improve the hand of the fabric
 To increase attractiveness
 To increase serviceability
 Produce a change in behavior
 Provide specific characteristics & desired properties
 Control shrinkage of fabric
 Provide aesthetic value to fabric
 To conceal inferior structure
 To simulate superior quality

CLASSIFICATION OF FINISHES
According To Designer/Merchandiser/Sales Personnel’s

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AESTHETIC FINISHES: Change the appearance or hand of the garment & are pleasing to both hand & eye.
FUNCTIONAL FINISHS: Alter or improve the wear ability & performance of fabric or garment & provide for:
 Additional comfort
 Environmental or biological resistance
 Durability for wear life of garment
 Improved care performance

AESTHETIC FINISHES FUNCTIONLFINISHES

Calendering Antimicrobial
Fragrance Antistatic
Fulling Crease resistant
Mercerization Durable press
Napping and sueding Flame resistant
Plisse Mothproofed
Shearing Shrinkage control
Softening Soil release
Stiffening Water and stain repellent
Water proof

According To Degree of Performance

PERMANENT FINISHES: Involve a chemical change in the fibre structure. Once it is applied will not
change or alter throughout the life of the fabric. Effectiveness of finish will withstand throughout the life
of the fabric.

DURABLE FINISHES: Effectiveness will withstand for 50-60 cleanings. Near the end of the normal
use life of the garment the finish is completely removed.

SEMI DURABLE FINISHES: Last through 25-30 cleanings.

TEMPORARY FINISHES: are removed completely in 1-2 cleanings. It only add appearance or hand
of the fabric i.e. increase the sale ability of inferior fabric.
A permanent finish, such as mercerization, lasts the life of the item.
A durable finish, such as wrinkle resistance, may last for the life of the product, but its effectiveness
diminishes with use or age. These finishes require some effort by the user as the fabric ages. With
wrinkle-resistant finishes, older items may require some ironing.
A temporary finish, such as simple calendering, lasts until the item is washed or dry-cleaned.
A renewable finish, such as some water-repellent finishes, can be applied by consumers or reapplied by
dry cleaners.

According To Textile Chemists

MECHANICAL OR DRY FINISHES: Cause a physical change in the fabric. Finishes are applied by
mechanical equipment such as cu plates, drying cylinders, perforated cylinder or stenter frames. Fabrics
are handled in dry state.

CHEMICAL OR WET FINISHES: Acid, Alkalis, Bleaches, Detergents, Softeners, Resins & other
chemical substances cause a reaction & produce permanent change in fibre molecular structure.

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 Physical / Mechanical Finishing:
The finishing process which is per formed by m/cs but not using of chemicals is called finishing.

o Used to control dimension

o To improve appearance and handle etc.
o Less expensive.

Example: Calendaring, embossing, raising, sanforizing, beetling etc.

Chemical finishing:
The finishing process which is performed by application of chemicals which reacts with fibres is termed as
chemical finishing.

o Used to make glossy protection

o To improve performance Finishing
o Highly expensive.

Example: Starching, weighting, mercerizing, resin finishing etc.

Temporary Finishing:
The finishing process by deposition of different materials on the fabric where the finishing materials may
be removed by easy washing or clearing is called temporary finishing.
This finishing is only achieved on the surface of the materials.

Permanent / Durable finishing:

In this finishing process, the finishing materials stables up to the last position of using the material and

not damage in any clearing process.

It is of 2 types –

Physical finishing – Milling of wool, raising

Chemical finishing – mercerizing, resin finish.

Differences between Physical and Chemical finishing :

Physical finishing Chemical finishing

1. Mainly performed by m/c. 1. This is performed by m/cs and chemicals.

2. No chemical is used. 2. Chemical is mostly used.

3. Used to control dimension, improve appearance, handle etc. 3. Used to make glossy protection and performance etc.

4. Less expensive. 4. Highly expensive.

5. Less permanent. 5. Comparatively permanent.

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Effect of finishing on Fabric Properties/ Object of finishing:
(1) To improve attractiveness.
If can be done by-

i. Modification of fabric appearance e.g. calendering or ironing, optical brightening or

whitening, delusturing, mercerizing.
ii. Alteration of fabric handle e.g. softening, stiffening, weighting etc.
iii. Control of fabric dimension e.g. shrinkage resistant, chemical setting, thermo setting.

(2) To improve serviceability.

It can be done by-

i. Improve performance e.g. flame proofing, Moth proofing, Antibacterial

ii. Improve performance e.g. water proofing, antistatic finish, coating.
iii. Easy care properties e.g. soil and oil repellency, resin finishing etc.

Depending Factors of finishing Technique:

i. The type of fibre and its arrangement in yarn and fabric.
ii. The physical properties of the fibre, particularly in respect of swelling capacity as affecting the
behavior when pressure or friction is applied in wet and dry states and at high and low
temperature.
iii. The receptivity of the fabric for absorbing various finishing preparation.
iv. The susceptibility of the material to chemical modification.