Home textile product production process level Inspection

In the global trade arena of home textile products, as an importer, we shoulder the heavy responsibility of screening quality products, meeting the needs of the domestic market and ensuring commercial success. The production process level of home textile products is undoubtedly the most critical part of our many considerations. It is not only related to the quality, beauty and durability of the product, but also directly affects the purchasing decisions of consumers and the competitiveness of the product in the market. This article will from the printing and dyeing technology, sewing technology, embroidery and other decorative technology as well as the overall process coordination and other aspects, in-depth discussion of our rigorous perspective and careful consideration when examining the production process level of home textile products.

First, printing and dyeing technology: double consideration of color and environmental protection

Printing and dyeing is the key process to give home textile products brilliant colors and unique patterns, and its technological level directly determines the visual appeal and market acceptance of the product. However, while pursuing beauty, we must also pay great attention to the two core indicators of environmental protection and color fastness of printing and dyeing technology.

(1) Environmental protection: the inevitable requirement of sustainable development

With the increasing awareness of global environmental protection, consumers pay more and more attention to the environmental properties of home textile products, and countries have introduced more stringent environmental regulations to regulate the market. Therefore, from the perspective of importers, the environmental protection of printing and dyeing technology has become the main point of our investigation.

Modern home textile printing and dyeing technology is mainly divided into traditional chemical printing and dyeing and relatively environmentally friendly new printing and dyeing technology. Although traditional chemical printing and dyeing can achieve a rich variety of color effects, it is often accompanied by the use of a large number of chemical agents, some of which may contain substances harmful to human health, such as heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, etc.), formaldehyde and can decompose aromatic amine dyes. These harmful substances may not only enter the human body through skin contact and breathing during the use of the product, causing allergies, respiratory diseases and even more serious health problems, but also pollute the environment after the product is discarded.

In contrast, new printing and dyeing technologies such as natural plant dyes, digital printing and reactive printing and dyeing have shown significant advantages in environmental protection. Natural plant dyes are derived from roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and other parts of plants, and are used for printing and dyeing after extraction and processing. Common plant dyes are indigo (from plants such as Persicaria Tinctoria), madder red (from madder), turmeric (from turmeric plant) and so on. These vegetable dyes have the characteristics of natural, renewable, friendly to the human body and the environment, and the color of the printed products is soft and natural, giving people a simple and warm feeling.

Digital printing and dyeing is the use of digital technology to accurately print the design of the pattern on the home textile products, its biggest advantage is that there is no plate making, can achieve small batch, personalized production, while reducing the use of chemical agents in the plate making process. Moreover, the dye utilization rate of digital printing and dyeing is high, and the wastewater discharge is less, which meets the requirements of environmental protection.

Reactive printing and dyeing is a kind of printing and dyeing technology in which dyes and fibers react chemically to form covalent bonds. This combination makes the dye firmly attached to the fiber, which not only improves the color fastness, but also reduces the pollution to the environment because the reactive dye used is relatively environmentally friendly.

As an importer, we will have an in-depth understanding of the type of printing and dyeing process used by our suppliers and ask for relevant environmental certification information, such as Oeko-Tex Standard 100 eco-textile certification. Only by ensuring that the printing and dyeing process meets international environmental standards will we consider introducing its products into the domestic market to meet consumer demand for environmentally friendly home textile products, while also avoiding potential legal risks due to environmental issues.

(2) Color fastness: the key guarantee of lasting color

Color fastness is another important measure of printing and dyeing technology, which reflects the ability of home textile products to maintain stable color under various conditions of use (such as washing, friction, exposure, etc.). For consumers, after buying home textile products, the last thing they want to see is that after several washing or daily use, the color becomes dim, faded or even faded, which not only affects the beauty of the product, but also reduces consumers’ confidence in the quality of the product.

The printing and dyeing industry usually evaluates color fastness through a variety of test methods, among which the common color fastness test to washing, friction color fastness test and light fastness test.

The color fastness test is to simulate the color change of the product under normal washing conditions. Generally, according to different washing standards, the sample of home textile products and the specified detergent are washed under specific temperature, time and washing machinery conditions, and then the degree of color change after washing is observed, and according to the corresponding rating standards (such as 1-5, 5 is the best). For home textile products such as bed sheets and quilt covers that often need to be washed, we usually require a color fastness of 4 or above to ensure that the bright color can still be maintained after multiple washes.

The color fastness test is to simulate the color change of the product when it is rubbed in daily use. The test will use a friction tester, according to the specified friction times and pressure, dry friction and wet friction test on the surface of the home textile product, and then observe the degree of color change of the friction part, and perform a rating. For example, for pillowcases, pajamas and other home textile products that are often in contact with human skin, good color fastness to friction (generally required to reach level 3 or above) can avoid color contamination on the skin due to friction, affecting the use experience.

Light fastness test is for curtains, outdoor home textiles and other products exposed to the sun for a long time. Through the simulation of sunlight exposure conditions, the sample of home textile products is placed in the light resistance tester, after a certain period of exposure, the degree of color change is observed and rated. Due to factors such as ultraviolet light in the sun will have a decomposition effect on the dye, so for this type of product, we require a good level of light fastness (such as level 3 or above) to ensure that the color will not fade significantly under long-term sunlight.

In order to accurately evaluate the color fastness of the product, we will ask the supplier to provide a color fastness test report issued by a professional organization, or arrange a third-party testing agency to test it if necessary. Only products that meet our expected color fastness requirements will be included in our import purchase list to ensure that products in the market can attract consumers with their lasting colors.

Second, sewing process: details determine durability and texture

The sewing process plays a role in the production of home textile products, which will be printed and printed fabrics through needle and thread to form a complete product, such as bed sheets, quilt covers, pillowcases, curtains and so on. The fineness of the sewing process directly affects the durability, overall texture and use experience of home textile products, so it is also the object of our focus as an importer.

(1) Stitch density: firm and beautiful balance

Stitch density is a seemingly simple but crucial index in the sewing process. It refers to the number of stitches distributed over a unit length of thread, usually expressed as the number of stitches per inch. The appropriate stitch density can ensure that the stitches will not be easily broken during the use of home textile products, so as to avoid quality problems such as opening and unstitching, and can also affect the beauty of the product to a certain extent.

Different types of home textile products have different requirements for stitch density due to their different uses, materials and stress conditions. For example, for products such as thick blankets or large curtains that are relatively stressed and not easy to deform, the pin density can be relatively sparse, but it is still necessary to ensure sufficient firmness, generally about 8-12 needles per inch can meet the requirements. For bed sheets, pillowcases and other products that are often rubbed and pulled, due to the need to withstand more daily use stress, the requirement for needle density is relatively high, usually 12-16 needles per inch or even higher, so as to ensure that the suture will not loosen or break during frequent use.

When examining the stitch density of the product, we will use professional measuring tools, such as stitch density gauge, to measure the sewing parts of the product one by one. At the same time, we will also combine with the naked eye observation to judge whether the stitches are even and neat, and whether there are appearance defects caused by too sparse or too dense stitches. Only when the stitch density is consistent with the characteristics of the product and our quality expectations, and the stitch is evenly distributed and beautiful, we will consider the product to be qualified in this area of the sewing process.

(2) The quality of the line: the matching of material and performance

In addition to the stitch density, the quality of the thread is also an important factor that cannot be ignored in the sewing process. As a medium for connecting fabrics, thread’s material, strength, flexibility and wear resistance directly affect the durability and use experience of home textile products.

At present, there are several types of thread commonly used in home textile sewing, such as pure cotton thread, polyester thread and cotton-polyester mixed thread. Pure cotton thread has good breathability, softness and biocompatibility, making home textile products feel more comfortable when using, especially suitable for products in direct contact with human skin, such as pillowcases, pajamas and so on. However, the strength of pure cotton thread is relatively low, and it is easy to break when subjected to large tensile forces, so for some home textile products with large forces, such as large curtains or thick blankets, it may not be suitable to use pure cotton thread alone.

Polyester wire has high strength, wear resistance and chemical stability, and can withstand various stresses in daily use of home textile products to a greater extent, such as friction, pulling and so on. However, its disadvantage is that the air permeability and softness are poor, and the home textile products sewn with pure polyester thread may feel a little stiff. Therefore, in practical applications, often according to the specific use and characteristics of the product, the use of cotton-polyester mixed line, the comfort advantages of pure cotton line and the strength advantages of polyester line combined to achieve the best use effect.

When examining the quality of the line, we will pay attention to the material identification of the line, determine what type of line it is, and evaluate its performance through some simple testing methods. For example, we can feel its strength by pulling the line, observe its flexibility by bending the line, and test its wear resistance by rubbing the line. At the same time, we will also check whether the color of the line is uniform, there are no defects and other appearance. Only when the quality of the thread meets the requirements of the product, and can be perfectly matched with other sewing process elements such as stitch density, we will recognize the quality of the product in the sewing process.

Third, embroidery and other decorative crafts: the sublimation of art and quality

The application of embroidery and other decorative crafts in home textile products can not only increase the artistic beauty of products, but also enhance their grade and market value. As an importer, we have strict criteria for the sophistication of these decorative processes to ensure that products can attract consumers with their unique artistic charm.

(1) Embroidery process: delicate presentation of stitches and patterns

Embroidery is a traditional decorative craft with a long history and exquisite skills, which has a wide range of applications in home textile products, such as bed sheets, quilt covers, pillowcases, curtains, etc., may have embroidery decoration. The quality of embroidery process is mainly reflected in several aspects such as stitch, pattern, color matching and the distribution position of embroidery on the product.

Stitch is the basic element of embroidery, and different stitches can produce different effects. Common embroidery stitches include plain, return, chain, satin, etc. High-quality embroidery works should be able to skillfully use a variety of stitches, and the stitch is delicate, uniform, no broken thread, jumper or needle disorder and other defects. For example, plain stitch embroidery should be flat and evenly arranged, back stitch embroidery should have smooth lines and close connections, chain stitch embroidery should have interlocking chains and complete shapes, and satin stitch embroidery should have smooth surfaces and uniform colors.

Pattern is the core content of embroidery, and its design directly affects the artistic value of the product. Excellent embroidery patterns should have unique creativity, clear lines and vivid images, and can accurately convey the design intention. Whether it is traditional flower and animal patterns, or modern abstract and geometric patterns, they should be perfectly presented in the embroidery process. Moreover, the pattern and the overall tone and style of the product should be coordinated, which can highlight the characteristics of the embroidery without being too obtrusive.

Color matching is also an important part of the embroidery process. The color of embroidery should be rich and coordinated, both to match the overall color scheme of the product, but also to be able to enhance the visual effect of embroidery through color contrast and coordination. For example, embroidering on white sheets, if the use of light color silk embroidery, will give people a fresh and elegant feeling; If the use of bright contrasting colors for embroidery, it will be more prominent embroidery’s presence and artistic charm.

The distribution of embroidery on the product also needs to be carefully designed. The reasonable distribution position can play the role of finishing the finishing touch, neither making the embroidery too complicated, affecting the overall beauty of the product, nor making the embroidery too sparse, losing the decorative effect. For example, proper embroidery decoration in the corners or center of the pillowcase can increase the beauty and artistic value of the pillowcase, and regular embroidery layout in the edge or middle part of the sheet can also enhance the grade of the sheet.

When we examine the embroidery process, we will carefully observe all aspects of the embroidery, using tools such as magnifying glasses to see the details of the stitch, assess the quality of the pattern, analyze the rationality of the color collocation, and judge the appropriateness of the embroidery distribution. Only when the embroidery process has reached a high level in all aspects, we will think that the product in this area of the decorative process is excellent.

(2) Other decorative crafts: the unity of diversity and refinement

In addition to embroidery, home textile products may also use other decorative processes such as lace edging, bead inlaying, printing and gold stamping to enhance their beauty and grade. Although these decorative processes have their own characteristics, we will also strictly investigate them from the aspects of sophistication and quality.

Lace trim is a common home textile decoration process, which can add a romantic and elegant atmosphere to the product. When examining lace edging, we will pay attention to the material quality of lace, good lace should be soft, delicate texture, no rough feeling or flaws. At the same time, we will check the lace weave fineness, to see whether the pattern is clear and uniform, and whether the connection between the threads is tight. In addition, the fit of lace and the main body of the product is also very important to ensure that the lace edge can be closely fitted to the edge of the home textile product, neither warped nor too loose.

Bead inlaying is also a common decorative process, which can bring bright and gorgeous effects to the product. For the bead inlaying process, we will ensure the fastness of the bead to avoid the bead falling off during use, which will affect the beauty of the product and the use experience. At the same time, we will pay attention to the gloss of the beads, and the beads with good gloss can better reflect the light and make the products more dazzling. In addition, the arrangement of beads should also be neat and regular, so as to create a sense of orderly ornate.

Printing and gilding processes are also often used in home textile products. For the printing process, we will focus on the clarity of the pattern, the fullness of the color and the firmness of the attachment. The clear pattern, full color and strong adhesion ensure that the print will last long on the product and will not blur, fade or fall off during use. For the bronzing process, we will pay attention to the uniformity of the bronzing, gloss and adhesion firmness. Uniform bronzing can create a gorgeous, high-grade feeling, and good gloss and solid adhesion can ensure the permanence of the bronzing effect.

When we examine these other decorative processes, we will consider all the above aspects of the factors, only when these decorative processes have reached a high degree of refinement, and can be coordinated with other decorative processes such as embroidery and the overall style of the product, we will think that the product is excellent in terms of decorative processes.

Fourth, the overall process coordination: to create the perfect home textile products

The production of home textile products is not a simple stack of various process links, but an organic whole, which needs to work closely with each process link such as printing and dyeing, sewing, and decoration to create a perfect home textile product. As an importer, when we examine the level of product production technology, we should not only pay attention to the quality of each individual process, but also pay attention to the synergy between them.

Printing and dyeing process provides the basis for the color and pattern of the product, and its environmental protection and color fastness directly affect the visual effect and use experience of the product. The sewing process will be printed fabric stitched together to form a complete product, its stitch density and thread quality determine the durability and texture of the product. Embroidery and other decorative crafts add artistic beauty and grade on the basis of the product, and enhance the market value of the product.

When the printing and dyeing process, sewing process and decoration process cooperate well, we can see such a product: its color is bright and durable, the pattern is clear and environmental protection; Its sewing firm and beautiful, comfortable texture and durable; Its decorative craft is exquisite and coordinated, and the artistic charm is full. Such products can meet the needs of consumers for high-quality home textile products, and obtain a good reputation and a high market share in the market.

For example, a sheet with environmentally friendly printing and dyeing technology and high color fastness, if its sewing process is fine, the stitch density is appropriate and the thread quality is good, coupled with delicate embroidery decoration, then this sheet will be very competitive in the market. After purchasing, consumers will be satisfied with its beautiful, durable and environmentally friendly characteristics, so that they are likely to buy other products of the brand again, and even recommend them to friends and relatives.

On the contrary, if the various process links are not coordinated well, such as the color fastness of the printing and dyeing process is poor, resulting in the color fading of the product after washing several times; The stitch density of the sewing process is too sparse or the quality of the thread is poor, which makes the product easy to open or unsew; The decoration process is rough or uncoordinated, affecting the overall beauty of the product. Then such products in the market is difficult to obtain consumer recognition, even if the price is low, it is difficult to achieve good sales performance.

Therefore, as an importer, when we examine the production process level of home textile products, we will grasp the coordination of each process link from the whole, and require suppliers to provide a complete product production process and process description, so that we can better understand the production process system of products, and judge whether it can create high-quality and perfect home textile products. Only when the various process links are well coordinated and the product production process level meets our requirements, we will consider introducing its products to the domestic market to provide high-quality home textile products for domestic consumers.