Garment Wash
Garment wash is a finishing process performed after sewing the garment into its final shape, using washing and drying to give the product-stage item changes in hand feel, shrinkage, fading, and similar effects.
Definition and Position in the Process
Garment wash is a post-processing treatment performed not at the fabric stage, but on garments after cutting and sewing have been completed. By combining washing, water washing, drying, and, if necessary, softening treatments, it gives each product items such as a worn look, softness, and natural shrinkage.
The general process is specification confirmation, prototyping and wash sample creation, sewing, garment wash, drying and finishing, and inspection. Because dimensions and appearance change after washing, it is necessary to coordinate the pattern, textile, sewing specifications, and trim selection from the planning stage.
Resulting Appearance and Effects on Materials
With garment wash, depending on the material and wash method, it is possible to soften the hand feel, create a natural wrinkled texture on the surface, and add wear at the seams and edges. It is often used for denim, cotton woven fabrics, and cotton knits, but even with the same recipe, the finish differs depending on the material composition and color.
Shrinkage, twisting, fading, pilling, and damage to trims caused by washing are not only design effects but also items to confirm for quality control. In particular, combinations of different materials, light-colored items, printed items, and areas using fusible interlining should be checked in advance for appearance changes and whether separation occurs.
How to Proceed and Set Specifications
When placing an order, it is important not to communicate the desired hand feel in words alone, but to share it using a wash sample or standard sample. Define the washing method, drying method, color depth, acceptable range for wrinkles and wear, and dimensional standards, and evaluate with a prototype that includes sewing specifications before mass production.
When post-wash dimensions are managed as the product dimensions, shrinkage must be considered in the pre-wash pattern. However, the way shrinkage occurs is not uniform and varies by grainline, area, and sewing method. Clarify the control points such as body length, chest width, and inseam, as well as the measurement method, in the specification sheet.
- Use the wash sample to check color, hand feel, dimensions, and the condition of trims.
- Use the same material lot, sewing specifications, and trims as mass production for prototyping.
- Confirm the required post-wash repair, pressing, inspection processes, and judgment criteria.
Points to Note for Ordering and Quality Control
With garment wash, differences in the finish may occur not only depending on processing conditions, but also on how the product is packed, the amount processed, and the material lot. In mass production, it is easier to manage if the acceptable range for color difference and wear is agreed in advance and sample confirmation is carried out for each lot.
Trims such as buttons, zippers, and snap buttons may be scratched, discolored, have paint peel off, or come off due to washing and drying. Check product durability and appearance, including corrosion of metal trims, transfer onto the textile, and fading of sewing thread.
For products expected to change through home laundering, evaluate not only the condition after garment wash, but also dimensional changes, color transfer, and appearance after washing according to the care label instructions. The care label instructions are set based on the actual materials used, trims, and the results of post-processing product tests.
Differences from Similar Terms
Product dyeing is a process of dyeing finished products, and its purpose and recipe differ from garment wash. Garment wash may be combined after product dyeing, but garment wash itself does not necessarily involve dyeing.
Scouring is a treatment performed mainly to settle shrinkage in textile and hardware in advance. In contrast, the purpose of garment wash is to give the finished product its hand feel and appearance and to bring it to the target dimensions after washing.
Frequently Asked Questions
When garment wash is used, can the pattern be the same as usual?
Not necessarily. When post-wash dimensions are used as the standard, shrinkage appropriate to the material and sewing specifications must be built into the pattern. Because shrinkage differs by area, a wash test should be performed with the actual specifications before mass production, and the control dimensions should be determined.
Can garment wash prevent fading or color transfer?
Washing may remove excess dye in some cases, but it cannot always completely prevent fading or color transfer. For dark-colored items and color-blocked items, confirm not only fastness after washing but also transfer caused by contact when wet. Washing precautions are also reflected in the care label instructions.
What should be noted when selecting trims for garments that undergo garment wash?
It is important to check for discoloration, scratches, detachment, and corrosion caused by washing, drying, and contact with chemicals. In particular, metal trims, painted items, resin trims, and bonded areas should be tested in the finished product state. Do not choose based on design alone; decide acceptance based on the appearance and function after processing.
