The quality of the polyester fibre is the basis of our product development. The flat fibres call for special demands for technique and use of colorants, but also give us a unique chance of printing very fine details on our fabric.
Polyester as textile material
Polyester is a synthetic fibre material. A petro chemical product based on crude oil and natural gas. Refined oil products are converted into PET via chemical intermediates. Squeezed into polyester bands, the PET is chopped into granules. These granules are melted down and used for polyester products.
Polyester is one of the most common textile fibres today and it is used for all types of clothing, upholstery, home textiles and may types of technical textiles. The fibre is strong and may be used alone or in blends with other fibres.
Polyester is easy to maintain
Polyester has little demand for care and tolerates most detergents. The flat fibres makes polyester dirt- and water-repelling. Polyester is also relatively resistant to sunlight.
In polyester blends, however, “pilling” may occur. The fibre ends risk rubbing on to small lumps on the surface of the fabric due to wear and tear from washing and usage. The fibre lumps will not wear off, but may be removed with a textile shaver.
scan htp recommend printing on pure polyester to ensure a perfect result.
Polyester advantages
- Good strength
- Weather-resistant – tolerates sunlight
- High elasticity
- Dimensionally stable
- Does not crinkle
- Fast drying (water-repelling)
- Tolerates all types of dry-cleaning
- Easy to clean (cleans at 40ºC, but tolerates up to 95º)
- Does not shrink
Polyester disadvantages
- No insulating ability
- Attracts dry dirt
- Static electrical
- Difficult to dye (only disperse dyes do the job)
- Poor absorption ability
- Risk of pilling
Polyester for clothing
Polyester fabric is strong in both dry and wet conditions. It almost does not crinkle and it will not absorb moisture like many other textiles and therefore, it will dry faster. Dirt remains on the surface because it cannot penetrate the flat fibres.
Polyester fabric is especially popular for sport and outdoor textiles due to its water-repelling, sweat transporting and fast drying qualities.
Polyester fabric is not likely to crinkle or shrink and may be washed at both low and high temperatures.
Polyester for upholstery and home textiles
Polyester is a hard-wearing material, tolerates sunlight and is less sensitive to high temperatures than many other synthetic fibres. Polyester fabrics only fade slowly.
Polyester fabric is easy to maintain. Therefore, polyester is often the preferred choice for fabric in public spaces where wear and tear is unavoidable.
Polyester fabric is also common as hygienic insulation material because it does not absorb moisture and does not give off dust. Polyester is suitable for allergy friendly products and is popular for duvets and pillows.
Polyester in medical textiles
Medical polyester textiles are common in many medico products, i.e. sphygmomanometers, ostomies, hospital blankets and pillows.
Polyester is a hygienic material because it absorbs less moisture than many other types of textile. When we print on polyester, the quality of the fabric stays the same. In other words, we do not improve, nor reduce the quality.
Recycling of polyester
Unlike most natural fibres, polyester products may be recycled. We know the technique from remelting of PET-bottles to other polyester products. Textile products may also be turned into granules and remelted into new polyester product via a chemical process. Pure polyester textiles and some blends may be recycled with this technique.
Colorant may be extracted before the product turns into granules and it will then be possible to dye the new polyester product.