compressive shrinkage

Compressive shrinkage, also known as relaxation shrinkage, is a textile finishing process applied to cotton and cotton blends to counteract stretching that occurs during weaving and other manufacturing stages. This method involves dampening the fabric and then drying it in a relaxed state to eliminate built-up tensions.1

The process typically includes spraying the fabric with water and pressing it against a heated cylinder covered with a felt or rubber blanket. This treatment increases the density of warp and weft yarns, enhancing fabric durability and resulting in a smoother texture with a soft lustre. Manufacturers often specify the residual shrinkage percentage that may still occur after this preshrinking treatment. Compression, in a broader sense, is any decrease in the volume of a substance due to applied stress.12