General Handling Instructions for Brook International Fabrics

The following information is given without prejudice and is provided as guidance only.

  1. FABRICS – Knitted, Woven and Speciality
    Satin Fabrics
    Satin fabrics – knitted and woven – are often produced using bright/shiny yarns, which may result in creases showing on the fabric surface. Due to the sensitive nature of the yarn there is a tendency for the fabric to show crease marks.
    Washing after printing will remove most of the creases.Satin Opaque
    Vaporization or gassing off can occur whilst ink transfers from the transfer paper during calendaring. It is recommended that adequate ventilation be provided during this process.

    Due to the bonded nature of this fabric, a Moiré effect on the surface may occur as a result of manufacturing. However this should disappear after printing once the fabric is pressed. It is recommended that the pressing temperature does not exceed 180 degrees Centigrade as this may have a detrimental effect on the bond strength of the fabric.

  2. Pre-print Testing
    Due to the wide choice of fabrics available from Brook International, it is recommended that fabrics are tested whenever possible, prior to production, to ensure the chosen fabrics is suitable for your printing process. Further to this due to the differences and wide choice of machines, inks, software and machine manufacturers recommendations for optimum print performance, including dwell time and temperature, it is recommended to complete test prints on fabrics, prior to bulk printing, to ensure the end print result is acceptable.
  3. Shrinkage
    Some fabrics are prone to slightly higher shrinkage than others due to the nature of their construction and differences in the manufacturing processes and routes. Brook International takes every precaution possible to eliminate or minimise shrinkage. In an effort to eliminate or achieve minimal shrinkage in the length or width, all fabrics are heat-set at an elevated temperature.With the application of heat during further processing of the fabric, for example pressing when transfer printing, further shrinkage may occur. Any further heat applied to the fabric during the print process may have an effect on previous heat settings.
  4. Print Performance
    All associated processes can affect print performance during fabric printing. This includes a combination of factors (machine/printer and its processes and further processing, inks, software, storage, environmental conditions / relative humidity) that cannot be guaranteed by Brook International. Should any of these factors be changed, then its effects on the fabric print performance must be thoroughly tested by the Customer.
  5. Washing Instructions
    As a general guideline where washing / cleaning of printed fabric is required this should be carried out in accordance with your chosen ink supplier and washing detergent manufacturers instructions. Brook International however recommends, where possible, to spot clean affected areas only, taking precautions as appropriate. If laundered, use a synthetic washing cycle with a washing temperature no higher than 40 degrees Centigrade.
    Line dry or press using a gentle temperature.If fabrics are to be dry-cleaned this should be carried out by a qualified dry cleaner and in accordance with ink manufacturers guidelines. On completion of dry cleaning allow sufficient time for any residual dry cleaning chemicals to fully evaporate or in accordance with your chosen dry cleaners recommendations.
  6. FR – Flame Retardant Finish
    Most of the Brook International FR fabrics have either a durable FR treatment applied or are inherently flame retardant. It is recommended that FR treated fabrics are not washed as any washing may have an effect on the flammability performance of the fabric. Should the fabric be washed then it is recommended it is re-tested to ensure it maintains its FR integrity and will satisfy the required FR performance for the intended end use.The FR test reports Brook International can provide are for unprinted fabric. Due to the many further processes carried out on fabrics supplied, if there is any doubt as to the fabrics FR integrity, Brook International recommends further FR testing after processing.
  7. Defects
    We strive to keep faults to an absolute minimum but certain defects are unavoidable. Small stains, stop marks, yarn breaks in weaving and knitting are inevitable in bulk textile fabric manufacture. Faults are usually tagged in rolls of fabric supplied by Brook International. It is advisable that where possible fabric is monitored during further processing i.e. during the printing process etc.
  8. Tolerance
    All fabrics are prone to variation from one batch/ dye lot to the next.
    Where possible, to keep such variation to a minimum, fabric from one batch should be used for a particular process. If this is not possible then the fabric from each batch/ dye lot should be tested for print performance.
    It is advisable to keep tickets supplied with the rolls so any anomalies can be traced back through the process route.
    Slitting of rolls is done at the customer risk. Due to the method of the slitting process, variation of up to 1cm can occur.
  9. Slitting
    We do offer a cold cut slitting process for some fabrics but due to the method of this process variation of up to 1 cm +/- can occur in the slit width. Certain fabrics when slit are prone to developing a frayed selvedge, these fabrics are slit at customers own risk.
  10. Storage
    The careful storage of rolls of fabric supplied by Brook International will help ensure smooth and efficient printing and further processing. It is recommended that rolls of fabric are carefully stored flat and horizontally when not being used, together with its unique piece ticket including its batch number details and should be carefully kept with the roll of fabric at all times. It is further recommended that rolls of fabric are stored in dry conditions and out of direct sunlight. Prolonged storage may have an effect on the performance of the fabric and print quality. It may be necessary to test a roll of fabric that has been in storage for a prolonged period of time, prior to production to ensure that its print performance has not deteriorated and that the end result is still satisfactory.