Dry finishing
Straight answers to the questions finishing people actually ask — by process stage and by machine.
Discontinuous Decatizing Machine · WPF-JXZN-MAX
Batch decatizing at the end of dry finishing: it turns the temporary lustre from fabric polishing and pre-shrinking into a lasting finish on wool cloth.
Most asked
How do I choose among the four decatizing methods — discontinuous, continuous, continuous-pressure, or autoclave (KD)?
Choose a decatizing method by throughput and set depth. Discontinuous, the WPF-JXZN-MAX, is batch-loaded with long steam contact for a deep, thorough set. Continuous, the WPF-LXZN, runs non-stop for higher throughput, with set depth tuned by steam-rise travel and an optional humidifying unit. Continuous-pressure, the WPF-LXZN-P, adds 0–3 bar on top of continuous travel to combine high throughput with a deeper set. For kier (autoclave) decatizing, QL sources and configures a refurbished European machine for you. Tell QL your throughput and set-depth targets and we'll help you pick.
How does the throughput of continuous decatizing compare with discontinuous (large-drum) decatizing, and how should I choose?
Choose by fabric and finish first, then by line pace. The continuous decatizing machine WPF-LXZN runs non-stop and covers worsted, woollen, silk, man-made blends, woven and knitted on one machine. Fringed scarves and shawls can only be decatized continuously, since batch decatizing cannot handle them. It also serves as pre-treatment before batch decatizing and as final finishing after it, taking down excess lustre for a softer, fuller handle, and it can be linked with a QL pre-shrinking machine into one continuous finishing line. The batch decatizing machine WPF-JXZN-MAX, with its Ø2000 cylinder, micro-pressure uniform steaming chamber and inside-outside steam injection, gives the deepest, fullest set, loading 500–1,000 m per batch, for premium worsted and woollen finishing. Both are built by QL and work together well: the continuous machine for bulk pace and special categories, the batch machine for depth of set. Bring your fabrics and throughput to QL: WhatsApp +1 380 900 2442, or +86 189 2110 8080.
What causes side-to-side color unevenness and head-to-tail piece variation after decatizing, why are continuous decatizing machines more prone to it, and does a large-drum discontinuous decatizing machine solve it?
Shade and end-to-end variation mostly come from uneven steam distribution — in a conventional continuous decatizing setup, fast fabric travel means short steam contact, and condensate dripping inside the steam-rise chamber adds local hot spots, showing up as water marks and shade blotches. QL's continuous decatizing machine, the WPF-LXZN, builds the heating bank into the chamber itself, raising temperature in stages to stop condensation, while its proprietary Decatizing Uniformity Technology keeps steaming depth even across the full width — removing the cause at its source. For extra assurance, QL's discontinuous WPF-JXZN-MAX runs a Ø2000 mm cylinder: the same length of fabric wraps thinner, extending the penetration travel and narrowing head-to-tail variation even further.
This machine5
Can worsted, woollen, silk and man-made fibres all run here without fibre damage?
All of them run here: worsted and woollen wool, silk, linen and other natural fibres, polyester, acrylic and multi-fibre blends, woven and knitted alike. Each construction runs its own recipe rather than one setting for everything, stored and recalled by the touchscreen/PLC control, and STT-curve control on the A-roller, B-roller and pressing roller removes inner-outer layer differences in the fabric. This all-fibre coverage is built into QL's WPF-JXZN-MAX decatizing machine.
The wrapper needs changing and upkeep — how much of a burden is that?
QL's WPF-JXZN-MAX decatizing machine looks after the wrapper itself. A dedicated wrapper drying cylinder keeps it in optimum working condition and substantially extends its service life. Twin-roller oscillating centring, driven by bidirectional pneumatic actuation, holds the wrapper on a stable path, and the servo main drive calculates wrapper tension precisely for smoother running. This self-maintaining design is standard on the WPF-JXZN-MAX.
After decatizing, does the fabric lose its set shape after just one wash?
No — decatizing does not wash out after a single laundering, but its durability has levels. Moist heat breaks the cross-links inside the fibre, and they reform on cooling in a new shape — a partial set that holds through garment cutting and sewing. For longer-lasting results, such as heavy handling or repeated pressing, pressure decatizing goes deeper; QL's WPF-JXZN-MAX, WPF-LXZN and WPF-LXZN-P offer discontinuous, continuous and continuous-pressure options accordingly.
What causes shade variation between the left, centre and right of the cloth?
Shading comes from steam reaching the width unevenly. The QL Micro-Pressure Uniform Steaming Technology's internal geometry distributes steam evenly across the full width, and steam then acts on the fabric from both inside and outside the cylinder, so decatizing is synchronised across the width. The micro-pressure design accelerates penetration, leaving no left-centre-right shading. This is standard on QL's WPF-JXZN-MAX decatizing machine.
Where does end-to-end variation in a piece come from, and why does a large cylinder solve it?
The variation traces back to a cylinder too small to give the piece enough fabric travel. QL's WPF-JXZN-MAX decatizing machine runs a Ø2000 mm cylinder — over twice the conventional diameter — so a 500–1,000 m loading still has ample travel and dwell. Head and tail see the same conditions, and the variation is eliminated at its source.
Process and principle6
Polishing and steam preshrinking are already done — why is decatizing still necessary, and can this step be skipped?
No, decatizing cannot be skipped. The lustre and flatness from polishing are only a cohesive set, partly lost during steaming and fully lost once wetted. Steam pre-shrinking deals with residual shrinkage and is not a setting step either. Only decatizing converts these earlier effects into a state that survives garment making; it is the closing step, not an optional one. QL builds all three ways of doing it: the batch WPF-JXZN-MAX for the deepest set, the continuous WPF-LXZN for non-stop lines, and the continuous-pressure WPF-LXZN-P for both at once. Tell QL your fabrics and we help you choose: WhatsApp +1 380 900 2442, or +86 189 2110 8080.
Are a discontinuous (large-drum) decatizing machine and an autoclave/KD decatizing machine the same thing — can one replace the other?
No, a discontinuous decatizing machine and a kier (autoclave) decatizing machine are not the same, and cannot simply substitute for each other. Discontinuous decatizing is an atmospheric batch process, with fabric and wrapper alternately wound onto a perforated steam cylinder; kier decatizing loads the fabric roll into a pressure vessel, a pressurised batch process that typically sets deeper. The two are often blurred together, but sit as separate process steps in a customer's line. QL's WPF-JXZN-MAX is the atmospheric discontinuous machine; for kier decatizing, QL sources and configures a refurbished European machine for you.
How do preshrinking and decatizing relate to each other — can I do just one and skip the other?
Pre-shrinking and decatizing are two sequential steps on the line, not an either-or choice. Pre-shrinking solves a dimensional problem — releasing latent residual shrinkage and locking the width; decatizing solves a surface-and-handle problem — fixing the temporary lustre and flatness from earlier steps into a lasting set. Skip pre-shrinking and shrinkage resurfaces later; skip decatizing and lustre and flatness relax back. A quality line runs both. QL's pre-shrinking machines line up with the WPF-LXZN decatizing range to cover both steps — tell us your fabric and width and we can help you configure the line.
What types of decatizing machines are there?
Decatizing machines fall into four main types by steam contact and pressure: discontinuous (batch-loaded, long steam contact, deeper set), continuous (non-stop fabric travel, higher output, with set depth tuned by steam-rise travel and an optional humidifying unit), continuous-pressure (continuous travel plus vessel pressure, combining output with a deeper set), and kier/autoclave decatizing (fabric batched into a pressure vessel, the deepest set, batch process). QL's own new machines cover the first three — WPF-JXZN-MAX, WPF-LXZN and WPF-LXZN-P; for kier decatizing, QL sources and configures a refurbished European machine for you.
What decatizing actually does to wool
Decatizing changes a fabric's set — moist steam heat temporarily breaks the cross-links inside the fibre, then cooling lets those links reform in a new configuration, locking in the handle, lustre and dimensions built up by earlier steps such as polishing and pre-shrinking. Decatizing itself does not create lustre or handle; it converts what earlier steps produced from a temporary state into one that survives garment making. QL's decatizing range — WPF-JXZN-MAX (discontinuous), WPF-LXZN (continuous) and WPF-LXZN-P (continuous-pressure) — is built to do exactly this.
What does a decatizing machine actually do?
A decatizing machine's job is to give fabric its final set — moist steam treatment followed by cooling converts the lustre, flatness and handle built up by earlier steps, such as polishing and steam pre-shrinking, from a temporary state into one that survives garment cutting and sewing. It is normally the last step in the dry-finishing sequence. QL covers this final step with three machines — the discontinuous WPF-JXZN-MAX, continuous WPF-LXZN, and continuous-pressure WPF-LXZN-P.
Continuous Decatizing Machine · WPF-LXZN
Continuous decatizing: the cloth runs through without stopping, evening the set across the full width and length, for silk, synthetic-blend and elastane fabrics.
Most asked
Can silk, man-made fibres and elastane fabrics run on this machine?
Pure silk and silk blends, and polyester / viscose / polyester-viscose blends, are within the machine's scope, covered on the same platform as worsted and carded fabrics. Where stretch is the concern, it comes down to tension: counter-pressure light-tension feed minimises fabric stretch on entry and preserves the original elastic recovery, and ultra-low-tension delivery control is particularly effective on knitted fabrics. These are built-in capabilities of the WPF-LXZN continuous decatizing machine — tell us the fibre composition and weight and we'll confirm the settings.
Steam contact is short in a continuous machine — does it really set as well as an old batch decatizer?
The steam-rise chamber is enlarged, which extends steam dwell time and substantially enhances the setting effect. A heating bank inside the chamber builds temperature in stages to prevent condensation, and downstream a twin heating-bank drying structure rapidly dries surface condensate and delivers continuous setting. Where deeper penetration is wanted, a fabric humidifying unit is available as an option. This is standard on the WPF-LXZN — to check the exact set depth for your fabric, send a sample and get in touch with QL.
Where do shade variation across the width and end-to-end variation come from, and why is a continuous machine prone to them?
One identifiable cause is condensation: condensate dripping from the steam-rise chamber onto the cloth leaves localised water marks and shade variation. On QL's continuous decatizing machine, the WPF-LXZN, the heating bank sits inside the chamber itself, building temperature in stages to prevent that. QL's proprietary Decatizing Uniformity Technology then holds decatizing depth uniform across the full fabric width and keeps bulk production consistent from batch to batch.
This machine3
Where should decatizing sit in the finishing sequence, and can that be changed?
It can be changed. QL's continuous decatizing machine, the WPF-LXZN, runs as a standalone continuous decatizing finisher, as a pre-treatment stage before discontinuous (batch) decatizing, or as a post-treatment stage after it — the latter to remove excess lustre and give a softer, fuller hand. It can also be line-integrated with QL pre-shrinking machines to form a flexible continuous-finishing line.
How long does the decatizing effect hold — will it relax again once made into a garment?
The set from decatizing holds through the normal cutting-and-sewing process, but not indefinitely. Atmospheric continuous decatizing gives a partial set, sized to survive garment making; where longer-lasting hold is needed — long storage, repeated pressing on higher-end garments — QL's pressure route goes deeper and holds longer, reaching a depth that approaches what once required a separate kier decatizing stage. WPF-LXZN covers routine setting needs; where longer-lasting hold matters, QL also offers the pressure route WPF-LXZN-P — tell us your garment-making requirements and we can advise.
How does a continuous decatizing machine work?
A continuous decatizing machine works by running fabric non-stop through a steam chamber: saturated steam temporarily breaks the cross-links inside the fibre, making it plastic, then a heating bank prevents condensation and a cooling-suction system chills the fabric quickly so the links reform in the new shape — fixing lustre, handle and dimensions. Fabric runs non-stop with no downtime, and set depth is tuned by steam-rise travel and an optional humidifying unit, which suits silk, man-made fibres and their wool blends especially well; where a deeper set is wanted, QL also offers the pressure route WPF-LXZN-P and the discontinuous WPF-JXZN-MAX. QL's WPF-LXZN continuous decatizing machine is built on this same principle — tell us your fabric and output needs and we can assess the right configuration.
Choosing and comparing2
How do I choose between atmospheric continuous decatizing and pressure continuous decatizing (WPF-LXZN-P)?
Choose by fabric and by how deep the set must be. The atmospheric continuous decatizing machine WPF-LXZN handles continuous final decatizing of worsted, woollen, silk and man-made blends; its enlarged steam-rise chamber extends steam dwell, and an optional humidifying unit adds penetration where a fuller set is wanted. The pressure continuous decatizing machine WPF-LXZN-P raises the vessel to 0–3 bar so saturated steam acts on the fabric under pressure, reaching a light-kier grade of set while the fabric keeps moving, with woven-and-knitted tension control that is particularly effective on elastane stretch fabrics. Heavy, high-density or long-hold qualities point to the pressure version; routine qualities and frequent changeovers point to the atmospheric one. Both are QL machines. Bring your fabric list to QL: WhatsApp +1 380 900 2442, or +86 189 2110 8080.
In the four decatizing options, when is the 'continuous' method the right choice?
Continuous decatizing is the right choice in three situations. First, lines that must run non-stop and switch between many qualities on one machine: worsted, woollen, silk, man-made blends, woven and knitted are all covered. Second, fringed scarves, shawls and other categories that can only be decatized continuously, since batch decatizing cannot handle them. Third, as pre-treatment before batch decatizing or final finishing after it, taking down excess lustre for a softer, fuller handle. QL's continuous decatizing machine WPF-LXZN carries QL's own Decatizing Uniformity Technology, removing side-to-side shading and end-to-end variation; set depth is tuned by the enlarged steam-rise travel and an optional humidifying unit, and where a deeper set is wanted QL also builds the pressure version WPF-LXZN-P and the batch WPF-JXZN-MAX. Tell QL your fabrics: WhatsApp +1 380 900 2442, or +86 189 2110 8080.
Continuous Pressure Decatizing Machine · WPF-LXZN-P
Continuous decatizing under pressure sets heavy, high-count fabrics deeper than ordinary decatizing can. A soft air-bag seal holds even pressure without leaks.
Most asked
Can I drop the kier decatizing step and let a continuous machine do that work?
Under 0–3 bar, saturated steam acts on the fabric directly, and a single pass attains the dimensional stability that once required a separate kier decatizing stage — light-kier-grade setting depth at continuous throughput. Where the kier stays in the line, the machine also runs as high-speed pre-treatment before it, or as final treatment after it, removing post-kier over-stiffness. How the pressure version WPF-LXZN-P fits your line — as a kier replacement or alongside it — is best worked out with QL: tell us your fibre and existing line layout.
Guide: Continuous Pressure Decatizing Machine (WPF-LXZN-P) →
For elastane knits, how do I avoid curling and uneven treatment during decatizing?
The knitted configuration adds a dedicated, accurate selvedge-uncurling action, eliminating the process unevenness that curling edges cause. Tension is regulated independently and precisely throughout for both woven and knitted constructions, and is particularly effective on elastane-bearing stretch fabrics. Circular-knit and warp-knit are both covered, elastane-bearing stretch blends included. This is standard on the WPF-LXZN-P's knitted configuration — tell us your fabric weight and elastane ratio and QL can confirm the settings.
Guide: Continuous Pressure Decatizing Machine (WPF-LXZN-P) →
Does pressurised decatizing leak, wear out seals quickly and cost more to maintain?
The seal is an air bladder and special-grade material conforming flexibly to the junction between steaming tank and felt belt, holding vessel pressure constant with no leakage; a suction fan at the outer edge of the boundary intercepts, as a second stage, any trace steam that may escape. There are no rigid contact elements in the felt path, and the special-grade material holds the seal while sharply reducing wear on the felt. This is the WPF-LXZN-P's sealing design — for maintenance intervals under your own operating conditions, get in touch with QL.
Guide: Continuous Pressure Decatizing Machine (WPF-LXZN-P) →
This machine4
Will condensate drip on delivery and leave local water marks or shade spots?
No. Twin heating plates on the outside of the steaming tank block condensation on the vessel's inner wall, so nothing is left to drip — the localised water marks and shade variation that dripping condensate causes are eliminated. At the delivery end and the pressure boundary, residual steam and the condensate raised by the pressure differential are cleared at once: the fabric is set as it leaves and does not re-condense off the machine. That clearing stage can be configured as fan suction or electric-heat drying. This anti-condensation design is standard on the WPF-LXZN-P — tell us your line layout and QL can confirm the fit.
Guide: Continuous Pressure Decatizing Machine (WPF-LXZN-P) →
Does pressure continuous decatizing risk shade variation across the width or batch-to-batch inconsistency?
Shade variation or batch inconsistency in pressure continuous decatizing traces back to seal failure and fluctuating vessel pressure, which leaves the fabric with an inconsistent heat-and-moisture history — a general risk in pressurised steaming, not a fixed trait of any one machine. QL's WPF-LXZN-P uses its pneumatic soft-seal system: an air bladder and special-grade material conform flexibly to the junction between the steaming tank and felt belt, holding vessel pressure constant with no leakage throughout the run. Independently set pressure parameters — drum pressure, tank pressure, belt tension and more — lock straight into the process recipe, so treated fabric comes out dimensionally stable and flat. Batch data can also be logged and traced through the optional digital production-management system. Tell QL your line requirements and we'll confirm the fit.
Guide: Continuous Pressure Decatizing Machine (WPF-LXZN-P) →
Atmospheric continuous decatizing does not set deep enough for heavy or high-density fabrics — what do I do?
Move to a pressure route. Atmospheric continuous decatizing gives only a light set because steam contact time is short, and heavy, high-density wool or wool-blend fabrics often come out under-set; raising vessel pressure to 0–3 bar lifts the saturated-steam temperature from roughly 100°C to about 143–144°C, breaking and reforming the fibre's cross-links more thoroughly for a deeper, longer set. QL's WPF-LXZN-P adds this pressure stage on top of continuous throughput, extending the settable range to heavy, dense fabrics.
Guide: Continuous Pressure Decatizing Machine (WPF-LXZN-P) →
What fabrics does this pressure continuous decatizing machine handle — lightweight, silk, viscose, polyester blends?
WPF-LXZN-P's fibre coverage is broad: worsted and woollen wool (pure wool and its blends with polyester, viscose, silk, cotton and linen), silk and silk blends, viscose/polyester and other man-made-fibre blends, plus circular-knit and warp-knit fabrics including elastane-bearing stretch blends are all within range. Lightweight, silk, viscose and polyester-blend fabrics — where the setting requirement is lighter — are also covered, since continuous-pressure decatizing has a wider fibre range than the atmospheric version to begin with.
Guide: Continuous Pressure Decatizing Machine (WPF-LXZN-P) →
Fabric Polishing Machine · WPF-TG
A fabric polishing machine for wool cloth: it lays the pile flat and gives an even lustre and smooth handle, correcting a dull, patchy face. Three working widths.
Most asked
What is a fabric polishing machine, and what principle does it use to give fabric its glazed sheen?
A fabric polishing machine combs and presses pile fibres on coarse wool fabrics, straightening the pile and giving it a directional sheen under heat and pressure. The principle has two steps: combing teeth first straighten fibres left disordered by earlier raising into one direction, since disordered fibres scatter light and look dull; a heated roller then presses the aligned pile flat, so light reflects evenly for a directional lustre. The effect is temporary and needs decatizing afterwards to become a lasting set. QL's WPF-TG is built on exactly this principle — tell us your fabric type and we can confirm what result to expect.
Are fabric polishing, calendering, and decatizing the same process?
No, and they are not interchangeable. Calendering presses fabric between rollers for surface lustre or a firmer hand, without combing or orienting the fibres, and is the common finish for worsted fabrics. Polishing combs the pile straight and presses it under heat, giving directional lustre to long-pile woollen cloth — but the effect is only temporary. Decatizing then uses steam to fix that temporary effect permanently, closing out the dry-finishing sequence. They are sequential steps, not alternatives. WPF-TG and WPF-LXZN connect on the same line — contact QL to plan it.
How do I choose between 1,800 / 2,000 / 2,200 mm working widths — is wider always better?
Choose by the widest fabric you actually run — wider is not automatically better. The 2,200 mm configuration exists for extra-wide industrial cloth such as billiard cloth; the other two cover conventional fabric widths. Note also that the dimensions in the specification table are based on the 1,800 mm width, so a wider machine changes the floor space you need to allow for. WPF-TG comes in 1,800 / 2,000 / 2,200 mm working widths — tell us your maximum fabric width and QL can confirm which one fits.
This machine9
How does the fabric polishing machine (belt/apron type) work?
In a fabric polishing machine, the conveyor (felt) belt carries the fabric steadily onto the roller surface and holds it in a controllable contact zone against the heated roller. QL's WPF-TG does this with a twin fabric-carrier-belt felt-roller structure, with the contact area precisely tunable to the process — its maximum contact area substantially exceeds conventional domestic polishing machines, and a wider heat-and-pressure footprint delivers deeper lustre, a more stable pile and broader stylistic latitude. WPF-TGDD is a generic belt accessory in this category rather than a standalone machine, specified to match the line's actual needs.
Are the dual-sensor closed-loop temperature control, PLC, and waxing unit unique to QL's fabric polishing machine?
No, these features are not exclusive to QL. Twin-sensor full-width closed-loop temperature control, PLC-plus-touchscreen control, and an optional waxing unit are also found on comparable fabric polishing machines — they are industry-standard. What actually sets QL's WPF-TG apart structurally is its 1:1 synchronised spiral-groove-and-combing-teeth roller surface and its twin-roller parallel felt-blanket centring.
The felt blanket keeps wandering, blistering and needing replacement — is that normal?
Frequent replacement usually traces back to the centring system: single-roller centring chronically causes felt-blanket flaring, accelerated wear and shortened service life. The WPF-TG uses twin-roller parallel centring instead — synchronised, fast-responding correction on both rollers removes the flaring at its source, which substantially extends blanket service life and cuts how often you need to replace it.
Same woollen cloth, but theirs gleams and mine looks dull with scattered reflection — why?
Depth of lustre comes from combing the pile straight to its root; even reflection comes from a steady temperature across the full width. On the WPF-TG the polishing roller carries four spiral grooves and four combing teeth in a 1∶1 synchronised configuration — the teeth straighten each fibre to its root, the heated roller follows with the polishing pass. Primary and secondary probes monitor in parallel for precise, uniform temperature across the entire working width, preventing the lustre variation caused by local hot or cold spots.
Domestic polishing machines have a small contact area and do not polish through — is WPF-TG genuinely different?
Yes. The WPF-TG's twin fabric-carrier-belt felt rollers give a process-adjustable, wide contact zone: the fabric-to-roller contact area is tuned precisely to the process, and its maximum contact area substantially exceeds conventional domestic polishing machines — a wider heat-and-pressure footprint that delivers deeper lustre, a more stable pile and broader stylistic latitude. The roller's four spiral grooves and four combing teeth work in 1:1 synchronisation, combing the pile straight to its root before the heated surface polishes it in the same pass. Send us a sample and we'll compare it directly.
Why was the open-type (unwrapped) fabric polishing machine phased out?
An open-type fabric polishing machine — one without a felt-blanket wrap — gives limited fabric-to-roller contact, so pressure and heat are hard to keep even across the full width, and patchy polishing or uneven lustre tends to follow. Felt-blanket-wrapped designs make that contact arc a tunable process variable, delivering more even heat and pressure, which is why they've largely replaced the open type. QL's WPF-TG uses twin fabric-carrier-belt felt rollers with an adjustable contact zone. Contact us to talk through your fabric.
Does setting the fabric polishing machine's temperature/pressure higher always give a glossier finish?
No, higher temperature or pressure on a fabric polishing machine is not always better. Lustre comes from combing plus a suitable heat-and-pressure combination; push either past what the fabric can take and the result is fibre damage, scorching or discolouration, or a harsh, flattened handle — the effect gets worse, not better. Settings need to sit in a range matched to the fabric's composition and weight. On QL's WPF-TG, roller temperature and pressure are independently adjustable under closed-loop control to help find that range for each fabric.
Does the fabric polishing machine's line speed need to match the downstream batching/rolling machine?
A fabric polishing machine and the downstream batching machine do not need identical line speeds, but the two must work in tension harmony, or fabric will pile up or over-stretch. On a real line, a buffer/accumulator or variable-frequency drive usually lets the batching machine's actual winding speed track the fabric polishing machine's delivery speed, rather than simply setting both to the same number. The exact arrangement depends on the rest of the line and is best confirmed with your equipment supplier at the line-design stage. Tell QL what sits upstream and downstream on your line, and we can work out the tension-and-speed match against WPF-TG's actual figures.
Does a fabric polishing machine polish with the nap or against it?
With the nap. Polishing is meant to comb the pile — left disordered after raising — into a single, consistent direction, so light reflects evenly and produces lustre; combing against the nap would only scatter it again. On the WPF-TG, four spiral grooves and four combing teeth on the roller work in a 1:1 synchronised configuration — the teeth comb the pile straight to its root with the nap, and the heated roller follows with the polishing pass. Contact us with your fabric details.
Choosing and comparing1
Do I need a polishing step if the cloth needs a bright, lustrous face?
Yes, polishing is what gives that bright, directional lustre. It works by first combing the disordered, raised pile into one direction, then heat-pressing it to fix that direction — pressing without combing only flattens the fabric, without the directional sheen. QL's WPF-TG synchronises combing and heat-pressing 1:1 in the roller design, completing both actions in a single pass.
Process and principle2
Is a fabric polishing machine the same as a hot-foil stamping (gilding) machine?
No — despite the similar name, they are unrelated machines. A fabric polishing machine is textile finishing equipment: a heated roller combs and presses the pile to create directional lustre. A hot-foil stamping (gilding) machine belongs to printing and packaging, transferring metallic foil onto a substrate under heat and pressure to form text or graphics. Different industries, different mechanisms, different materials. If it's textile fabric polishing you're after, QL's WPF-TG is exactly that — tell us your fabric and we can walk you through it.
What is the difference between a fabric polishing machine and a stenter/heat-setting machine?
A fabric polishing machine and a stenter/heat-setting machine act on different dimensions of the fabric. The polishing machine only reshapes the surface pile — a heated roller combs the fibres straight and presses them for directional lustre, an effect that is largely surface-level and temporary. The stenter/heat-setting machine controls dimensional properties, stretching the fabric to a target width on pin or clip chains under tension, then fixing that width with heat. One manages appearance, the other manages dimensional stability. For surface lustre, QL's polishing machine is the WPF-TG; for the stenter/heat-setting step, tell us about your line and QL will work out that configuration with you.
Polishing Machine Conveyor Belt · WPF-TGDD
The conveyor belt that runs on the fabric polishing machine, a dry-finishing spare fitted with the machine or supplied on its own.
Most asked
What's the difference between choosing the conveyor belt option versus without it (or mesh belt vs. straight belt), and how do I choose?
A conveyor belt on a polishing machine carries fabric through the polishing rollers; whether you need one, and whether mesh or straight belt suits it, depends on your machine's carrier structure, fabric weight and width tolerance — there is no single right answer. QL has also engineered a custom conveyor belt (WPF-TGDD) for a client's polishing machine before. Send us your machine's nameplate details or photos and we will match the belt to your actual dimensions.
What is the conveyor belt (guide belt) on a fabric polishing machine, and what does it do?
A fabric polishing machine's conveyor belt is the carrier belt that guides fabric through the heated-roller zone, keeping it flat, tensioned and moving at a steady speed so the roller's heat and pressure apply evenly and the fabric does not drift or crease. QL supplies it as a general accessory item, sized to the specific fabric polishing machine it serves — for example the WPF-TGDD (Polishing Machine Conveyor Belt) — rather than as a part built into one particular machine body.
Rotating Disc Moistening Unit · WPF-PP
Rotating discs throw a fine, even mist onto the cloth, a dry-finishing step that sets moisture ahead of decatizing and fabric polishing on wool fabric.
Most asked
Is moistening/conditioning required before decatizing, and why?
Generally yes. Fabric coming off a dryer often sits below its normal moisture regain — for wool, roughly 14–16% at 65% relative humidity — and that moisture level is the precondition for raising, shearing, pressing and decatizing to work well; under-moist fabric compromises those steps. So dried fabric is normally reconditioned back to regain before further processing. QL's decatizing lines also offer an optional fabric-moistening unit that deepens steam penetration for a fuller set.
Pin-Chain Steaming-Shrinking Machine · WPF-LTYS
Steam pre-shrinking ahead of decatizing, so garments do not shrink again in the wash. Pin clamps hold the fabric width to the set value, batch after batch.
Most asked
Width drifts on belt-type shrinking — how do I choose between pin-chain and belt-type?
Width control is the dividing line between the two. On the WPF-LTYS, the chain frame holds the fabric on pin clamps from infeed all the way to delivery, so width stays locked to the process-defined value and dimensional drift is eliminated across the whole steaming-and-cooling cycle. Free-belt machines cannot replicate that process-grade width-locking, which is why WPF-LTYS is the safer choice once width drift becomes a recurring problem.
What is a steam preshrinking machine for, and why do garment and fabric mills need it?
A steam preshrinking machine releases the latent relaxation shrinkage locked inside a fabric before it leaves the mill, so the cloth will not shrink and distort the first time a finished garment is washed. Weaving and finishing leave residual stress in the fabric that releases under heat and moisture; the machine uses steam to trigger that relaxation early, then cool-fixes the result. This gives garment makers fabric with stable dimensions and consistent batches. QL's pin-chain WPF-LTYS and belt-type WPF-WDYS preshrinking machines are both built around this logic.
Double-face and heavy woollens do not steam through, so shrinkage comes out uneven.
Twin steam ports double the volume delivered, so high steam-resistance qualities — double-faced wool and heavy-weight woolens — are penetrated in a single pass with uniform shrinkage. Steam volume, steam pressure and suction intensity are each set independently, from light wovens through to heavy double-faced goods. This twin-port design is standard on QL's WPF-LTYS pin-chain steaming-shrinking machine.
This machine5
Fabric shrinks the first time a finished garment is washed — how do I settle that before it leaves the mill?
Shrinkage depth is set by the independent overfeed system — warp overfeed is precisely controllable, balanced against surface flatness. Once steaming is done, the pre-delivery cold-suction unit cool-fixes the result at the delivery end, eliminating post-machine relaxation. Width stays locked to the process-defined value throughout, which is what carries into garment dimensional stability and batch consistency. This overfeed-and-cold-fix combination is built into QL's WPF-LTYS pin-chain steaming-shrinking machine.
Condensate drips onto the cloth during steaming and leaves water marks and shade spots.
Condensate is stopped from forming rather than dried off afterwards. Once the steam from the twin ports has crossed the fabric, a heating bank performs secondary vaporisation so it stays in vapour state, and a suction unit evacuates it immediately. Vapour never dwells on the surface — the condensation pathway is severed at source and the fabric comes off free of water marks. This structure is standard on QL's WPF-LTYS pin-chain steaming-shrinking machine.
How is the preshrink ratio adjusted, and what range can it be controlled within?
Preshrink ratio is set mainly through the independent overfeed system — the amount of warp overfeed fed in determines how deep the fabric retracts, working together with steam volume, pressure and suction intensity. Both of QL's steam preshrinking machines, the pin-chain WPF-LTYS and the belt-type WPF-WDYS, come with this system as standard. How wide a range that can be controlled within depends on your fibre composition, fabric weight and width — there is no single universal figure. Bring a fabric sample and your process requirement to QL and we will trial it and provide the controllable range and a parameter sheet.
Does the preshrinking machine work by direct steam injection?
Yes — steam preshrinking machines work by direct steam injection through the fabric. Steam is delivered through ports and passes straight through the cloth, letting the fibres relax under heat and moisture to achieve the shrinkage. The steam that has crossed the fabric is then re-vaporised and instantly evacuated by suction, so it does not linger and condense on the surface. Direct steam penetration, not indirect contact heating, is how this machine works. Both QL's pin-chain WPF-LTYS and belt-type WPF-WDYS steam preshrinking machines are built on this principle.
Does steam pre-shrinking keep the fabric hand feel good?
Steam pre-shrinking relaxes fibres with moist heat rather than compressing them mechanically, so it is gentler on hand feel than rubber-blanket compression shrinking. Shrinkage depth is set through an independent overfeed system with precisely controllable warp overfeed, balanced against surface flatness, and a pre-delivery cold-suction unit locks the result before the fabric leaves the machine. Actual hand feel depends on your fibre and weight — contact QL to trial your own fabric on a WPF-LTYS or WPF-WDYS.
Choosing and comparing2
Which preshrinking machine should be used for knit fabric — is the pin-chain type (WPF-LTYS) only for woven fabric, or can it handle knits too?
For knit fabric, the net-belt type (WPF-WDYS) is the preferred choice; the pin-chain type (WPF-LTYS) can also process knits, but that is not its primary use. The difference is in transport: the pin-chain machine clamps the fabric on pins throughout and locks the width, suiting woven fabrics where width tolerance matters. Knits generally need to relax freely at open width, which the net-belt design allows since it does not clamp the width. The choice comes down to whether width-locking is required.
Which brand of pre-shrinking machine is good value?
Choosing a pre-shrinking machine is not about brand recognition — check three things: whether width stays locked, whether steam penetrates your fabric weight in a single pass, and whether the shrink ratio repeats batch after batch. QL has worked on wool finishing alone for three generations; the WPF-LTYS locks width on a pin-chain, the WPF-WDYS runs open-width. We build new machines and also refurbish European used equipment. Contact us with your fabric and width, and we will talk process before quoting.
Process and principle9
What's the difference between steam preshrinking and washing the fabric?
The two work through different mechanisms. Steam preshrinking relaxes fibre stress with moist heat, then locks in the reduced shrinkage via overfeed and cold-suction, without fully wetting the fabric — it runs in-line and quickly. Washing immerses and agitates the fabric in water; besides releasing relaxation shrinkage, it also cleans off loose dye, residual auxiliaries and impurities, but it takes longer and needs subsequent drying, with a larger effect on hand and finish. Which route fits your process is worth a conversation — contact QL; we offer both the WPF-LTYS pin-chain and WPF-WDYS belt-type steam preshrinking machines.
Can steam preshrinking precisely control the shrinkage rate?
Yes — control comes from the independent overfeed system. The steam preshrinking machine actively feeds in extra warp-direction length so the fabric can relax freely, and that overfeed amount is a precisely adjustable, independent parameter, balanced against surface flatness. A pre-delivery cold-suction unit then cool-fixes the result. So shrinkage is not left to chance in the steam step — it is set by the controllable overfeed variable and locked in by cooling. QL's steam preshrinking machines — pin-chain WPF-LTYS and belt-type WPF-WDYS — both come with this independent overfeed system as standard.
Steam shrinking and decatizing: neighbours on the line, not rivals
Steam pre-shrinking and decatizing are not rivals — they are neighbouring steps on the same line. Pre-shrinking is about dimension: it releases the fabric's latent residual shrinkage and locks the width before the fabric leaves the mill. Decatizing is about surface and handle: it fixes the temporary lustre and flatness from earlier steps into a set that survives garment making. A quality line runs both, pre-shrinking first, decatizing after. QL covers both stages: pre-shrinking with the WPF-LTYS or WPF-WDYS, decatizing across the WPF-JXZN-MAX, WPF-LXZN and WPF-LXZN-P range.
Which should come first, steam pre-shrinking or decatizing?
Steam pre-shrinking comes first, decatizing follows. Pre-shrinking releases the fabric's latent residual shrinkage and locks the width before further processing; decatizing then fixes the temporary lustre and flatness from earlier finishing into a set that holds through garment making. The two serve different purposes and sit in a fixed order on the line — pre-shrinking is not swapped with or skipped in favour of decatizing. QL covers pre-shrinking with WPF-LTYS/WPF-WDYS and decatizing with the WPF-JXZN-MAX/WPF-LXZN/WPF-LXZN-P range.
Is this the same thing as sanforizing (mechanical pre-shrinking)?
No, they are different processes. Sanforizing is a rubber-blanket compression method — mechanical pressure physically compacts the weft density, a traditional route for cotton fabrics. Steam preshrinking instead relaxes the fibres under heat and moisture, without mechanical compression. Wool and wool-blend fabrics are typically preshrunk via the steam-relaxation route. Both technologies coexist in the industry, but a steam preshrinking machine should not be labelled a sanforizing machine. QL's WPF-LTYS pin-chain machine runs on this moist-heat relaxation route.
Will fabric still shrink after it has been steam-preshrunk?
Steam preshrinking removes most of the latent relaxation shrinkage left over from weaving and finishing — the part that would otherwise release the first time the fabric gets wet and warm — but it does not guarantee zero shrinkage afterward. Repeated laundering, or felting shrinkage in wool fibres, can still cause a small amount of further shrinkage through a different mechanism that preshrinking does not address. So the risk is greatly reduced, not eliminated. For how low it can go on your fabric, contact QL with the fibre composition — we offer both the WPF-LTYS pin-chain and WPF-WDYS belt-type lines.
What's the difference between a preshrinking machine and a stenter/heat-setting machine?
The two pull in opposite directions. A preshrinking machine releases — steam and moisture relax the latent stress inside the fabric, pulling forward the shrinkage that would otherwise happen after the fabric leaves the mill. A stenter/heat-setting machine stretches — pin or clip chains pull the fabric to a target width under tension, then heat fixes that width in place. One stabilises against further shrinkage; the other locks in a specific width and density. For the shrinkage-control side, QL offers the WPF-LTYS pin-chain and WPF-WDYS belt-type machines — contact us to talk through the full line pairing.
How does a fabric steaming-shrinking machine work?
A preshrinking machine relaxes fibre stress with moist heat, paired with controllable overfeed and cold-fixing to complete the shrink. In a pin-chain machine, steam penetrates the fabric and the fibres relax under the heat and moisture; warp overfeed actively feeds in extra length so that relaxation can happen without creasing; a pre-delivery cold-suction unit then locks in the relaxed state. The sequence is moisten-and-heat, let it relax, then fix the result — not mechanical compression. This is exactly how QL's WPF-LTYS pin-chain machine operates.
What is a steam pre-shrinking machine?
A preshrinking machine is a textile finishing machine that uses moist heat from steam to relax the latent stress inside a fabric, resolving in advance the shrinkage that would otherwise appear the first time a finished garment is washed. It typically pairs an overfeed system, which feeds in extra length, with a cold-fixing unit that locks the result in place. Two transport types are common — pin-chain (width-locked) for wovens, and net-belt (free-width) for knits. QL offers both — the pin-chain WPF-LTYS and the net-belt WPF-WDYS.
Use and troubleshooting3
Why does the felt blanket on a pre-shrinking machine drift, run tight or run loose?
Blanket or belt drift, tightening or loosening on a pre-shrinking machine usually traces back to uneven tension across the two sides, a slow-responding centring system, or blanket wear building up over time — start by checking whether tension is symmetric side to side and the guide rollers are parallel, then whether the centring device is actually responding. The exact cause depends on your machine's drive and centring structure. Contact QL with the model, symptoms and photos, and we will pinpoint the issue and propose a fix.
What is the standard operating procedure for a pre-shrinking machine?
Standard steps for a pre-shrinking machine typically include: before start-up, check that steam and air pressure meet the process value and blanket/belt tension is normal; run empty first and confirm width and overfeed parameters are recalled from the correct recipe; during operation, monitor temperature and pressure readings and watch for drift; on shutdown close the steam first, then the drive, and clean before cutting power. QL ships a full manual with every WPF-LTYS/WDYS and also runs on-site training — contact us for a copy.
What steaming temperature is typically right for a pre-shrinking machine?
There is no single right temperature — it depends on your fibre composition, fabric weight and how much preshrink depth you need. Temperature-sensitive fibres such as some synthetics need a lower band to avoid yellowing or loss of strength, while heavy double-faced woolens need a higher steam supply to penetrate in one pass. QL determines the right temperature and steam pressure combination by trialling your actual fabric — send a sample and we will provide the matching process sheet.
Belt-Type Steaming-Shrinking Machine · WPF-WDYS
Steam pre-shrinking with the cloth free on a belt, a dry-finishing step; where the width must be held to a set value, the pin-chain WPF-LTYS is the one to use.
Most asked
How are the process parameters adjusted for preshrinking knit fabric?
Preshrinking knit fabric runs on open-width, tension-free conveying rather than the width-locked path used for wovens — this lets the knit retract freely along its own elasticity instead of being force-stretched and damaging the loop structure. The belt-type WPF-WDYS is built around that logic. The actual speed, steam volume and overfeed settings depend on your knit's structure and weight. Send QL a fabric sample and we will trial it and provide the parameters.
Vertical Brushing Machine · WPF-SM
A vertical brushing machine for dry finishing: it lays the pile of wool cloth in one direction and clears loose fibre. An optional steam box steams the cloth first.
Most asked
What does a vertical steaming-and-brushing machine do, and how much does this step matter for finished fabric quality?
A vertical steaming-and-brushing machine is a vertical brushing machine fitted with a steam box, working after shearing: the steam box softens and re-moistens the pile, then rotating brushes re-align the fibres, removing the crushed, disordered look shearing leaves behind. The step matters for finished appearance — shearing only trims the pile to an even length, it does not make the nap lie in one uniform direction. Brushing turns even length into an even look, which often decides whether the cloth surface reads as smooth and uniform. QL's machine for this station is the WPF-SM vertical brushing machine, positioned right after shearing, with the steam box as an option.
How does a vertical steaming-and-brushing machine work?
A vertical steaming-and-brushing machine is a vertical brushing machine with a steam box, and it works in two coordinated stages. As the fabric travels vertically through the machine, the steam box first moistens and heats the pile, softening the fibres so they comb more easily. Rotating brushes then sweep the pile in a set direction, re-aligning fibres left crushed and disordered by shearing. The steaming stage exists to make brushing work — dry, stiff fibres resist brushing and are more prone to damage without it. QL's WPF-SM vertical brushing machine brushes on its own; with the optional steam box it becomes exactly this steam-then-brush structure.
What should I do when a vertical steaming and brushing machine breaks down?
A vertical steaming-and-brushing machine is a vertical brushing machine fitted with a steam box — QL's model is the WPF-SM. First work out whether it is a process issue or a machine issue: a problem that only shows up after switching fabric or weight is usually a parameter that was not adjusted; one that keeps recurring without a fabric change usually points to the machine itself. Contact QL with the model, the fault symptoms and photos, and we will judge by model and propose a fix — including on discontinued imported machines.
This machine1
What model variants of vertical steaming and brushing machine are available?
At QL the vertical steaming and brushing machine is the WPF-SM vertical brushing machine: the base machine brushes and the steam box is an option — fitted with it, the machine steams before brushing, so there is no separate steaming-and-brushing model and no other published sub-variants. It sits right after raising and shearing, combing the loose, disordered nap straight in one direction and brushing out loose fibre; with the steam box, steam softens the pile first. Whether your width, output and fabric call for the steam box is confirmed case by case — contact QL with your process conditions.
Choosing and comparing1
Which manufacturer makes a good vertical steaming and brushing machine?
A vertical steaming-and-brushing machine is a vertical brushing machine with a steam box, a category with few makers, mostly in Europe and China. It works well when steam penetration and brush combing together lay the disordered post-raising nap straight without loose fibre. QL has worked on wool finishing alone for three generations, and the WPF-SM Vertical Brushing Machine, with its optional steam box, sits on that chain, built new in-house, with used European machines refurbished and re-engineered as well. Bring QL your fabric and process needs and we set the configuration together: WhatsApp +1 380 900 2442, or +86 189 2110 8080.
Process and principle2
What does brushing do after shearing?
Because shearing only fixes the pile's length, not its direction. Shearing trims the pile to an even height, but the cutting action leaves fibres crushed and lying in disordered directions, which reads as dull with scattered reflection. Brushing combs those fibres back into one consistent direction so light reflects evenly, giving the cloth a uniform lustre, and it also clears away loose fibre debris left by shearing. QL's WPF-SM vertical brushing machine is positioned right after shearing to do exactly this.
What is the difference between a vertical steaming-and-brushing machine and other finishing machinery?
A vertical steaming-and-brushing machine — a vertical brushing machine fitted with a steam box — is a single step in the dry-finishing line, coming right after raising and shearing: steam works together with brushing to comb the disordered, upright nap left by raising into one direction and remove loose fibre residue. Its job is directional grooming, not the heat-and-pressure setting a fabric polishing machine does or the steam fixing a decatizing machine does; each sits at a different point in the same chain. QL's machine for it is the WPF-SM vertical brushing machine, with the steam box as an option; contact QL and we can walk through which stations your line needs.
Use and troubleshooting1
How do I adjust the operating parameters on a vertical steaming and brushing machine?
Parameters on a vertical steaming-and-brushing machine (a vertical brushing machine with a steam box) come down to three settings working together: steam volume, brush speed and fabric dwell time — steam needs to penetrate enough, brushing needs enough force to comb the nap straight without damaging the fibre, and the actual numbers depend on your fibre composition and how heavily the fabric was raised. There is no one-size-fits-all table. Send QL a fabric sample and photos of the raised nap, and we will trial it and provide the settings.
Weft Straightener · WPF-ZW
A pin-wheel weft straightener, a dry-finishing step: it detects and corrects weft skew and bow, so cut panels do not go out of shape.
Most asked
What is a weft straightener, and what does it do?
A weft straightener is dry-finishing equipment that detects and corrects weft skew (yarns running off-square to the selvedge) and weft bow (a curved weft line), squaring up the fabric before it enters steaming-shrinking and decatizing. Left uncorrected, the distortion carries through those setting steps and can leave garments cut from the fabric twisted after washing. QL's WPF-ZW is a pin-wheel type straightener used at this stage to correct weft skew.
How do I adjust a weft straightener, and what should I watch out for?
The core of adjusting a weft straightener is how the skew/bow detection links to the pin-wheel correction action — first confirm the sensor reading truly reflects the actual skew, then check whether the pin-wheel's correction speed and amplitude keep up with line speed; too fast over-corrects, too slow leaves skew behind. Different fabrics carry different skew levels and stretch, so settings should not be copied between fabrics. Contact QL for calibration help and training on your WPF-ZW.
What parameter settings are considered standard for a weft straightener?
QL's weft straightener, the WPF-ZW, has no universal set of standard parameters — skew-detection sensitivity, and the pin-wheel's correction speed and amplitude, all have to match your fabric's stretch, its skew level and your line speed, and change again when you switch fabrics on the same machine. QL calibrates on site against your actual line data. Send us your fabric and line speed and we will provide calibration guidance.
This machine4
What are the safety operating procedures for a weft straightener?
Safety practices on a weft straightener typically include: stop the machine and lock out power before adjustment, cleaning or repair — never work on it live; never reach a hand or tool between the pin-wheel and the guide rollers while running; guards must be fully in place before start-up; and if you hear abnormal noise or see drift, stop and investigate immediately rather than running on to watch it. QL ships a full manual with every WPF-ZW and runs on-site training — contact us for a copy.
How does a weft straightener work?
A weft straightener works by first scanning the fabric with optical or mechanical sensors to measure how far the weft yarns drift from square (skew) or curve (bow), then applying differential angle or speed across rollers on either side of the cloth to gradually pull the weft back into true alignment. The pin-wheel type does this through the differing opening angle of its two side rollers. QL's WPF-ZW uses this design, correcting weft alignment before pre-shrinking and decatizing.
What is the HS code for a weft straightener for import/export?
The correct HS code depends on your country's customs classification rules and declared purpose, and it is not always identical across countries or declaration channels, so we do not publish one fixed code on the site to avoid misleading your filing. Contact QL for the WPF-ZW export documentation, and we will help you verify the code for your destination country.
What type of motor drives the pin-wheel on a pin-wheel-type weft straightener?
Because the pin-wheel's correcting action needs a fast response, pin-wheel weft straighteners are typically driven by a servo motor, adjusting speed and phase in real time against the skew sensor's signal for continuous closed-loop correction. The exact drive configuration on QL's WPF-ZW is confirmed against the actual machine — contact us for the motor specification on the unit you need.
Choosing and comparing2
Which manufacturer makes the best weft straightener, and how does QL's compare with imported brands?
Weft straightener makers sit mostly in Europe and China, and fewer still build the pin-wheel type. QL's WPF-ZW Weft Straightener, developed in 2018 as China's first pin-wheel weft straightener, corrects skew by gripping the selvedges on pin wheels so garments do not twist after washing, and sits ahead of the pin-chain steaming-shrinking machine to straighten before the width is set. Against imported machines, the WPF-ZW is built in China, so parts and service respond faster, and QL also repairs discontinued imported models. Bring QL the machine you run now and your skew problem and we compare on site: WhatsApp +1 380 900 2442, or +86 189 2110 8080.
If incoming fabric has severe skew/bow, how should I choose a weft straightener for it?
When incoming fabric has severe skew or bow, first work out which it actually is — skew (drifting toward one side) and bow (curving in the middle) call for slightly different correction logic — and measure the actual deviation range before choosing anything. Any weft straightener has a correction limit; if the deviation is too large, the straightener alone may not be enough and the cause may sit further upstream, such as uneven tension during drying and setting. Bring QL your measured data and a fabric sample, and we will check whether a WPF-ZW can correct it in one pass.
Process and selection
Most asked
What is weft in weaving, and how is it different from warp?
In woven fabric, the warp is the set of yarns held taut lengthwise on the loom, while the weft is the yarn carried crosswise, over and under the warp, on each pass of the shuttle or air/water jet. The warp stays fixed in direction and must withstand sizing and repeated abrasion, so it is usually stronger and more twisted, while the weft can be softer and bulkier. Weft skew and bow — the faults a weft straightener corrects — describe the weft drifting off a true right angle to the fabric edge. QL's WPF-ZW weft straightener detects and corrects exactly this kind of misalignment.
If I want a fuller, softer hand feel, do I need an extra finishing step?
If you want a fuller, softer hand feel, yes — that usually calls for an extra, optional handle-improvement step after the regular dry-finishing sequence; for a conventional handle, the fabric goes straight from finishing to final inspection with no extra stage. The common method is air-flow softening, where hot air agitates the fabric to fluff the fibres back up, a different direction from the flat, crisp finish calendering or decatizing aim for. QL currently sources and refurbishes this pre-owned equipment for the step — contact us with your handle requirements.
Should a pile-face fabric be raised or a smooth-face fabric be sheared — how do I choose?
It depends on the surface the fabric is meant to have. Face-finish qualities, usually milled first, are raised so that fibres are pulled up into a pile; clear-finish qualities, the mainstream today, are only sheared so the surface is cropped flat and even. A raised fabric is sheared as well, to level the pile to one height, so for face finishes the order is raise first, then shear, not one or the other. Raising itself comes in two media that can sit on one line for different effects: teasel raising runs wet in the wet-finishing stage, right after wet brush-setting, laying a smooth, fine pile and, when wanted, a water-wave face, which QL's WPF-CG teasel raising machine forms on both faces in one pass; wire raising runs in dry finishing and pulls a longer, loftier pile, and for wire raising and shearing QL sources and configures refurbished European machines. Bring your finish requirements to QL: WhatsApp +1 380 900 2442, or +86 189 2110 8080.
Choosing and comparing1
For machine-washable shrink-resist finishing, deep shades or pre-printing treatment, do I need an extra processing stage?
Yes — for machine-washable shrink-resist finishing, deep shades, or pre-printing treatment, you generally need an extra fabric-level chlorination shrink-resist and lustre stage beyond the regular process, and it must descale the fibre surface before dyeing; dyeing first and descaling after strips the colour back out. Fabrics without those requirements can skip this stage. QL currently sources and refurbishes pre-owned equipment for this stage — contact us with your fabric type and shade requirements.
Process and principle3
What is decatizing (steam setting) for wool/worsted fabric?
Decatizing is a steam heat-setting step for woollen or worsted fabric, using saturated steam to relax internal stresses left by weaving and dyeing so the fabric's dimensions, lustre and handle stabilise and later cutting and sewing shrink less. It comes in batch form, winding the fabric onto a drum to steam it, and continuous forms, including pressurised variants for a deeper set. QL offers batch (WPF-JXZN-MAX), continuous (WPF-LXZN) and continuous-pressure (WPF-LXZN-P) decatizing machines.
How do you avoid shearing defects during wool fabric finishing?
Most shearing defects come from the fabric's moisture, tension or pile direction being uneven going into the shearing step, not from the blades themselves. Typical causes include inconsistent moisture from inadequate conditioning, uneven cross-width tension, pile that hasn't been brushed into one direction, and worn or misaligned blades. In the dry-finishing sequence, QL's WPF-PP moistening unit sits right before raising and shearing, evening out fabric moisture so shearing starts from a stable base.
What is the difference between a pre-shrinking machine and a heat-setting machine?
A pre-shrinking machine targets residual shrinkage, using mechanical compression or steam-and-moisture treatment so the fabric sheds most of its potential shrinkage before leaving the mill and shrinks less after cutting, sewing or washing. A heat-setting machine (typically a stenter frame) targets width and dimensional stability, using hot air to stretch the fabric to a target width and lock the fibre structure, so the cloth stays flat. The two usually work together: pre-shrinking controls how much it shrinks, heat-setting controls how wide and stable it ends up. For the shrinkage side, QL offers the WPF-LTYS pin-chain and WPF-WDYS belt-type steam preshrinking machines.
Didn't find your answer?
Ask us directly — a straight question gets a straight answer.