Postdyeing

Postdyeing is a textile dyeing process applied to finished fabrics or garments after manufacturing. It enables color changes, shade corrections, or special-effect finishes on items that have already been woven, knitted, cut, or assembled. Postdyeing complements pre-dyeing (fiber, yarn, or piece dyeing) and garment dyeing, providing flexibility to adjust inventory and respond quickly to fashion needs.

Dyeing methods for finished goods include jet, continuous, and pad-dyeing routes, as well as garment-dyeing when entire items are colored after construction. Dye selection depends on fiber type: reactive or direct dyes for cellulose fibers; disperse dyes for polyester and blends; acid or metal-complex dyes for protein fibers and nylons. Pre-treatment such as desizing, scouring, and neutralization improves color uptake and evenness, while finishing steps after dyeing remove unfixed color and ensure fastness.

Benefits include improved shade uniformity on complex items, reduced lead times, and customization of small production runs. Challenges involve maintaining colorfastness on finished goods, avoiding dye migration between parts with different fibers or finishes, and higher water and chemical use. Successful postdyeing requires careful process control, color management, and compatibility testing with existing fabric finishes and mechanical properties.