Unit 3: Packaging and pressing
Textile Finishes notes · PTU syllabus (BSTD 301-20)
Unit summary
Finished goods must be pressed, folded and packed to reach the buyer in perfect condition. This unit covers packaging and folding, and pressing.
After this unit you can
- Describe pressing equipment and methods
- Explain folding standards for garments
- Describe packaging materials and methods
- Follow buyer packing requirements
PTU syllabus topics
Packaging and folding, pressing
- 1Pressing
Remove creases, set shape
- 2Inspection
Check for defects
- 3Folding
Standard folds by product
- 4Tagging and labelling
- 5Packaging
Polybag, carton, shipping marks
Topic 1
Pressing
Steam iron and vacuum table
General pressing
Vacuum removes moisture and cools
Steam press (buck press)
Shaped buck and head for collars, cuffs, trousers
Fast, consistent
Form finisher (body form)
Garment inflated with steam on a form
Shirts, jackets
Tunnel finisher
Garments on hangers pass through steam and hot air
High volume
Fusing press
Bonds interlinings
Temperature, pressure, time controlled
- Pressing variables: temperature (suited to fibre — low for synthetics), steam, pressure and time; avoid shine, scorching and imprints (use press cloths).
Topic 2
Folding
- Folding methods depend on garment and buyer: standard shirt fold with backing board, collar band and clips; trouser fold; flat pack vs hanging. Fold size matches the polybag and carton; tissue paper and butterflies keep collars in shape.
Topic 3
Packaging
- Tagging and labelling
- Price tags, size labels, care labels, barcodes
- Polybags
- With suffocation warnings and vent holes; some buyers require recycled or biodegradable bags
- Inner boxes
- For assortments
- Export cartons
- Corrugated (3-ply, 5-ply, 7-ply), marked with shipping marks, carton number, gross and net weight
- Assortment
- Solid colour solid size, or ratio packs (assorted sizes)
- Inspection
- Final audit (AQL) before packing; metal detection (needle check)
- Good packaging protects goods, presents them attractively, carries information and meets buyer and environmental requirements.
Key terms
- Buck press
- Shaped steam press for garment parts
- Tunnel finisher
- Continuous steam-finishing tunnel
- Assortment
- Mix of sizes and colours in a carton
- Shipping marks
- Identification printed on export cartons
- AQL
- Acceptable quality level for final inspection
Quick revision
- Steam iron, vacuum table, buck press, form finisher, tunnel finisher, fusing press; pressing variables.
- Folding methods and accessories.
- Tags, polybags, cartons, assortments, inspection and needle detection.
Important exam questions
Practice questions written to the PTU exam pattern for this unit's syllabus: short answers (Section A style) and long answers (Sections B and C style).
Short-answer questions
- Q1.Why is a vacuum table used?
- Q2.What is a form finisher?
- Q3.Name three accessories used in shirt folding.
- Q4.What information is printed on an export carton?
- Q5.What is a ratio pack?
- Q6.Why is needle detection done?
Long-answer questions
- Q1.Describe pressing equipment and methods.
- Q2.Describe folding and packaging of garments for export.
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