Woven Fabric Greige Sett Effects on Finishing Shrinkage Rates
Greige sett density determines yarn mobility and crimp capacity, directly establishing wet processing shrinkage and final finishing compaction limits.
Finished Weight Gsm
Physical Specification
The mass per unit area of a completed fabric is expressed in grams per square meter to define the thickness and density of the material. Known in the trade as finished weight gsm, this measurement is taken after all wet treatments, stretching, and drying operations are completed. It represents the final state of the fabric as it will be delivered to the apparel manufacturer.
Laboratory Measurement
Standardized testing protocols ensure that fabric weight is measured under uniform conditions. Technicians use a circular sample cutter to extract a specimen of exactly one hundred square centimeters from the fabric roll. This specimen is weighed on a precision digital balance after conditioning in a standard atmosphere of sixty-five percent relative humidity and twenty degrees Celsius.
The weight in grams is multiplied by one hundred to yield the final grams per square meter. For high-precision orders, multiple samples are cut from different areas across the width of the fabric to detect center-to-selvedge weight variations.
Production Adjustments
Controlling fabric weight during finishing requires adjusting the machine tension and feed rates. When fabric is processed on a stenter frame, overfeeding the material into the machine allows it to shrink slightly, which increases the finished weight gsm. Conversely, excessive tension stretches the fabric, reducing the weight per unit area.
Buying Standards
Apparel designers use weight specifications to match fabrics to specific clothing styles. Heavyweight denim requires a high finished weight gsm to provide durability, whereas lightweight shirts demand a much lower figure for drape and comfort. If the delivered fabric falls outside the agreed tolerance, the garment factory has the right to reject the shipment.