What is ironing in garment industry?

In the garment industry, ironing (sometimes also called pressing depending on the stage) is the process of applying heat, pressure, and sometimes steam to fabrics or finished garments to:

• Remove wrinkles and creases created during stitching, handling, or packaging.

• Shape the garment according to the design, helping seams, collars, pleats, and hems lie properly.

• Set and finish seams so they stay flat and neat.

• Improve appearance and presentation, making the garment look smooth, polished, and ready for sale.

Key Points:

1. Stages of Ironing:

   • Under-pressing: Done during garment construction (e.g., after sewing seams, darts, collars) to give shape.

   • Top-pressing/Final pressing: Done after the garment is fully stitched, to give the final finished look before packing.

2. Equipment:

   • Traditional hand irons.

   • Steam irons and steam presses.

   • Vacuum tables, steam tunnels, and automated pressing machines in large-scale production.

3. Importance:

   • Enhances the quality and durability of the garment.

   • Plays a big role in customer perception, since a crisp, well-pressed garment appears higher quality.

   • In some fabrics (like wool or polyester blends), ironing/pressing also helps in heat-setting the shape permanently.

 In short, ironing in the garment industry isn’t just about removing wrinkles like at home—it’s a critical step in garment finishing and quality control.