How to protect zippers during garment dyeing

Garment dyeing involves dyeing finished garments such as trousers, T-shirts, jackets, dresses, skirts, jeans and coats after the manufacturing process has been completed. This is in stark contrast to more traditional methods of garment production that use pre-dyed fabrics, which do not require additional washing or dyeing of garments after production.

Garment dyeing is often performed when quick response to rapid market changes is required, or when a manufacturer has a low capital investment but wishes to process as much (or as little) of product as possible in the most economical manner. There is also the fact that garment dyeing can produce special effects on fabrics that cannot be achieved with traditional dyeing processes.

Various techniques used for garment dyeing include: tie-dyeing, dip-dyeing, spray-dyeing, over-dyeing, etc. These garment dyeing methods are briefly described below.

Garment Dyeing Techniques

Tie-dye

A dyeing method popular among hippies in the 1960s and 1970s that involved tying a knot in fabric and dipping it into a dye bath. The rest of the fabric takes on the color of the dye, but it doesn't transfer to the knotted parts.

As the name suggests, coloring, immersing part or all of the garment in a dye bath. This can be done by hand or using a specialized escape machine.

Spray

Also known as pigment dyes, colorants, and water-based paints, they are used to give clothing a vintage look and feel.

Over dyed

Over-dyeing is re-dying a garment with another dye of a different color. This is done for darker shades or just to preserve a previously unsuccessful stain job.

Reverse color

reverse color is a relatively new method of garment dyeing that involves the use of reactive pigment dyes on pre-dyed (dyed) garments. This is done to give the fabric an uneven, worn look.

Zipper protection in garment dyeing

Exposure to dye chemicals and all the special processes and handling of dyed garments can severely affect zippers. Some problems caused by misstaining include:

Discoloration of zipper and surrounding fabric.

Zippers shrink in size due to prolonged exposure to heat.

Teeth become brittle. The teeth themselves can become loose with bleach and other harsh chemicals.

The open zipped hem may detach due to prolonged heat or exposure to chemicals.

The color fastness of the zipper does not meet the specified standards.

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Although most garment manufacturers use dyeable zippers, it pays to take proper care of zippers during the garment dyeing process.

Reactive dyes chemically react with the copper alloy after a certain period of time, thereby changing the color. Always rinse thoroughly (to neutralize the pH of dyes and chemicals) after adding clothing, especially zippers and the area around them.

After rinsing, make sure the clothes are also completely dry. Wet clothing stored in high humidity areas may fade and weaken zippers.

Brass zippers should not be used on fabrics treated with reactive dyes. In this case, use molded plastic zippers or spiral zippers.

It is best to test the dyeing process on one or more items before processing a batch.

If you still have any questions about the proper use of ZIPHOO zippers in your desired garment dyeing techniques, please do not hesitate to consult us.