Blog 3 - Textile Product Selection Criteria

  As a designer, it is very important to consider many different qualities of products, especially textiles. A designer must first consider the preferences of their client. They must make sure the design is aesthetically pleasing. They also have to ensure the aesthetics will be maintained. A designer should look at colorfastness to light and whether a textile's color will fade. They must also look at wet and dry crocking. It is important to make sure the color does not rub off the product, and ensure it is a good-quality material. This can also be affected by cleaning. A designer must know the proper way to clean a material and communicate that with the client. This ensures the client knows and can communicate this with the cleaning staff for a commercial project. A designer should communicate that if a product is not cleaned properly, it could be damaged or lose color. It is also important to look at the testing done on a fabric and see its ratings.

A designer must also look at fire codes and other code compliance. There are more codes required for commercial projects. It is important to consider codes like NFPA701 and CATB117. These codes are related to the flammability of a fabric. A designer should not only know the codes required, but also know the recommended requirements for fabrics. A designer should know the double rub count for the fabric they suggest. They should also know how stain-resistant the fabric is and how durable it is. It is very important for a designer to know where a fabric will be used and how much it will be used in that space. This affects how durable the material must be. It is also important to look for anti-microbial finishing. These are chemical treatments on fabrics that help resist the growth of bacteria and fungi.

A designer should also look at the sustainability of a material. A material should be made of natural and renewable resources. A designer could try to get their design LEED or WELL certified. This shows that it is a sustainable design and is better for our environment. 

One Step Further

For my one step further this week, I decided to look into wet and dry crocking more. I wanted to understand this process better, so I know how to explain it to clients in the future. The ACT defines crocking as the transfer of dye from one surface to another through the process of rubbing. Wet crocking is when the dye bleeds from one surface to another. There are many different tests done to fabrics to make sure crocking does not occur. These tests determine what grade the textile will receive. Grade 1 means there is a high degree of color transfer. Grade 5 means there is no color transfer. Two common tests used are AATCC 8 and AATCC 116. The fabric being tested is often rubbed against a white cotton fabric to see how much dye is transferred. Designers can look at these results to ensure the fabric does not bleed after installation. 

Resources:

Applied Lab. (2019, June 26). Understanding crocking. https://applied-lab.com/understanding-crocking/

Association for Contract Textiles. (n.d.). ACT voluntary wet & dry crocking guideline for woven fabrics, indoor use. https://contracttextiles.org/performance-guidelines/wet-dry-crocking-woven-fabrics/