Shade variations in narrow fabric dyeing - a case study

Abstract

This paper looks at the problems of a local narrow fabric manufacturer supplying its products to garment factories of the same group. The basic raw materials are (i) Filament yarns of Nylon 6. Nylon 66. Polyester and Lycra: (ii) Dyes and Chemicals. The yarns arc converted to narrow fabrics as per buyers' requirements by weaving or knitting machines and dyed and finished to match buyers' swatches using imported dyes and chemicals. To match the colour shade of the buyer's swatch. a computerised colour matching package namely "Data Color" is used to obtain few closely matching recipes. Using these recipes the respective fabrics are dyed and finished in laboratory scale equipment. These dyed sample swatches are sent for buyer's approval and the bulk is dyed using the buyer approved recipe.