Finishing, Ironing and Pressing
This domain tests the final operations that give a garment its shape, handle and appearance without heat damage.
Core rules
- Finishing includes starching, blueing, calendering, pressing, steaming, pleating, folding and packing.
- Starch adds stiffness and a crisp handle. Natural starches include rice, corn and potato; synthetic sizing gives different stiffness and durability.
- Pressing uses downward pressure and lifting; ironing uses a sliding motion. Steam relaxes fibres and helps remove creases.
- Typical iron temperatures: cotton 180-220 C, linen 200-230 C, wool 150-170 C with steam or a damp cloth, silk 140-160 C on the reverse, polyester 120-150 C, nylon 120-140 C, acetate 110-130 C.
- Press wool through a damp cloth to avoid shine. Do not press dirty fabric, because heat sets stains.
Worked example
A polyester shirt is brought for finishing and the operator sets the iron near 200 C. Reasoning: polyester is thermoplastic and can shine, cockle or melt at that temperature. Use 120-150 C, a pressing cloth and steam, and test on an inside seam. The same rule applies to nylon and acetate, which need even lower heat.
Traps that cost marks
- Ironing a stain before removal.
- Using a hot iron directly on wool and creating shine.
- Reading iron dots as temperature numbers rather than dots.
- Pressing silk with too much moisture and leaving water marks.