|
Some Towel Questions answered!!
Q: How do I measure the quality of a towel?
A: There are many different components to a towel, but the general rule is that a heavier towel is suitable for the bathroom, where it can dry out easily between uses, whereas a lighter weight towel is better suited to the beach, where it gets more frequent use in one period. The yarn is very important and will reflect in the price of the towel.
Q: What does Gm2 mean?
A: Gm2 is a measure of weight: ‘grams per square meter’. Take care not to confuse that with ‘Grams pp’, which mean ‘grams per piece’. While both measurements are perfectly valid, the results will be quite different.
For example, a towel 75cm wide x 150cm long that weighs 500 gm2 will be 0.562 grams per piece.
Q: What is a jacquard towel?
A: A jacquard towel is a towel made from coloured yarns to weave the pattern (Logo) into the towel. A jacquard towel is often made with two colours, but sometimes more colours more can be woven. A jacquard towel usually has the pattern (logo) in reverse on the back of the towel.
(Like a negative) Simba make two different types of Jacquard towel.
• LUXURY WOVEN PERSONALISED – Small quantities, quick turnaround, limited colours available
• TEXPLUS – Larger quantities, longer lead time, more colours
Q: What does PERSONALISATION mean?
A: At Simba PERSONALISATION means not only putting a logo or image on a towel, but also putting a SINGLE name on a jacquard woven towel. (See our Luxury Woven Personalised towels). This product is ideal for conferences, golf days, incentive or very personal Christmas gifts!
Q: What is a jacquard border?
A: Some modern jacquard looms can manufacture a flat woven section at either end of the towel. Not all mills have this technology but a jacquard border has the added advantage of additional colours and decoration.
Q: What is velour?
A: Velour is part of the finishing process of a towel. When a towel is made on a towel loom, there are loops on either side of the towel. Part of the finishing process is to shave the top of the loops off one side to create a soft velvety finish on the towel. If you look carefully, you can see! You cannot ‘velour’ both sides of the towel.
Q: Why don’t velour towels dry as well as terry towels?
A: The velour side of the towel is definitely not meant for drying…it is meant to be sat on or laid on the beach! The scientific action of water on the velour means that the water does not absorb as easily and you should always use the terry side to dry yourself.
Q: What is the difference between a jacquard towel and a plain towel?
A: A jacquard towel is made on a jacquard loom and uses coloured (dyed) yarns to create a pattern (or logo or photo) on a towel. A plain towel is made on the loom from yarn in its natural or raw state and then the whole towel is dyed, hence piece dyed towels.
Q: What is a dye batch?
A: Yarn or towels are dyed in big dying vats or vessels, similar to other textile dying methods. A dye batch for yarn or towels determines the minimum quantity that can be dyed at once.
Q: What is a screen print?
A: Towels can be screen printed using pigment dyes however a normal screen print without careful product development of dyes will leave a scratchy and harsh finish on the towel. Lighter weight towels in terry or velour are best for screen printing. Simba have stock of lighter weight towels suitable for screen printing. Screen or pigment printing is suitable for small quantities.
Q: What is a printed fiber reactive printed towel?
A: For larger towels quantities reactive dying is appropriate. Reactive dyes are used where many colours are required. Fiber reactive dyes react chemically to combine with and dye the fibers of the towel.. The soft handle is achieved by washing the towel after printing, which removes any excess inks and gives the towel a soft handle.
|
|
|
