Due to its natural characteristics, cotton became the most-processed and most-used textile fibre. It can be processed at will and is easy to dye and print on. Cotton materials can therefore always be manufactured in any desired fashion colour and colour shades and with practically any desired colour fastness. Wearing and care characteristics can be improved by using wash-resistant, fixable finishes or by chemical modification of the cellulose.

Nowadays cotton clothing can be wrinkle resistant, sanforised, low-maintenance, dirt and water-resistant and have permanent leg-line creases. There is flame-resistant protective clothing or curtains made of cotton materials, which, in extreme conditions, are resistant to decay and mildew.

Finishing increases value and quality

During these processes, the look and the serviceability of textiles are improved, providing added value. Without finishing, cotton wrinkles because cellulose fibres are non-elastic. SANFOR is the best-known trademark for shrink proof finishing. It prevents from shrinking and guarantees form stability during washing.

• Mercerising: By treating the cotton with caustic soda and stretching it at the same time, the section becomes round. The result is a long-lasting shine and softness despite washing and dry-cleaning.

• Calendering is a special method of pressing which gives more or less shine, smoothness and density.

• Water-repellent finishing, such as impregnating: By soaking in suitable chemicals such as silicon, cotton textiles become water-repellent. But it is necessary to repeat this process after washing.

• Easy-care characteristics obtained by using high-grade finishing (artificial resin or cross-linking): labeled as non-iron, minimum-iron, mini-care, wash & wear. Cotton textiles finished in this way are easy-to-wash, hardly shrink, dry quickly, need little or no ironing and are wrinkle-resistant.

Bleaching makes it possible to dye and to print textiles with light, mellow and bright colours by chemically decomposing the natural colour dye of the fibre. Finishing improves the feel and makes the material soft and pliant, such as for towelling, baby clothing and daywear. Other finishes give a full, firm feel, for instance for tablecloths or napkins. Dyeing and printing is possible with bright colours as cotton easily absorbs dyestuffs.

For the embroidery machine, there are a few points to be taken into consideration. Optimal pre-requisites for fabrics are strength, elasticity, yarn twist S/Z, number of twists, storage temperature, processing temperature of approx. 22C and a high degree of humidity of 6S to 80%.