Technical know-how: The denim glossary The - Denim - Denim Première Vision
An exploration of the resistant and comfortable material that is denim, with a round-up of some of the technical terms and specific labels used in the profession. A precious denim glossary tool for making your sourcing more efficient and better adapted to your needs.
The technical denim glossary, from A to Z
Weaves
3/1 or Twill
A weave characterized by a diagonal that descends from left to right. Twill is the most common weave in denim and is also a sign of quality.
Authentic
A term describing the quality of a denim cloth, usually raw with a 3/1 construction.
Bull Denim
Heavy and strong denim fabric with a classic 3/1 construction.
Broken Twill
A specific weave where the traditional diagonal of the twill is inversed and rises from left to right, creating a zigzag effect.
Chevron
An easily recognizable weave thanks to its V-shaped pattern.
Warp and Weft
Construction between the vertical threads (warp) and horizontal threads (weft). In denim, the warp threads are strong and softer than the weft threads. In Denim, the warp threads have been dyed with indigo.
Loom
An industrial machine that allows horizontal (warp) and vertical (weft) threads to be woven.
Twill
The most widespread weave where the warp passes under then above the weft, alternately.
Selvedge or Selvage or Self-Edge
Designates the vertical edge of a denim twill, easily recognizable by the presence of a colored thread. It allows the fabric to maintain its shape.
Fibers
Hemp
Bast fiber increasingly widespread in denim blends. Hemp farming is less polluting than cotton farming and requires less irrigation.
Cotton
A vegetable fiber from cotton plantations. We can now find many alternatives to traditional cotton: organic or recycled cotton.
Post-consumer cotton
Recycled cotton fibers generated from pre-worn products.
Pre-consumer cotton
Recycled cotton fibers generated from offcuts and textile waste (threads and fabric) recovered during the various stages of production.
Core Spun Yarn or Polycore
A process that produces a stronger thread, where a base thread is twisted around a second thread.
Linen
A plant fiber used in blends with cotton for denim twill. Linen farming uses little fertilizer and does not need much irrigation.
Slub
The stiff parts of a thread that give roughness on the surface of a denim twill. These irregularities are recurrent when the denim is produced on a 28-inch shuttle loom.
Hemp / SM DENIM MILLS
Cotton / Dnm Denim
Pre-consumer cotton / Orta Anadolu
Linen / Berto Industria Tessile
Finishes and Dyeing
Abrasion
Term describing a damaged part of a pair of jeans, either due to natural wear and tear, or produced deliberately.
Brushed
A finish that gives a worn aspect to denim, produced using an electric brush. This effect can also be produced by hand by a specialized craftsperson.
Cellulose enzyme wash
An eco-responsible washing method that produces lighter shades of blue.
Destroyed
A jean that has a worn, torn look that can be the result of intense wear or produced mechanically.
Dip-Dyes
Process where the cotton threads are immerged in plant-based dyes. The longer the threads are immerged in the dyes, the more intense the color.
Distressed (similar to destroyed)
Wear and tear caused artificially in order to give the denim a vintage look.
Enduction
Application of a layer of finish to the surface to give a lacquered, shiny appearance.
Enzymes
Living organisms used in dyes to set off the chemical process that mutes the indigo color. An eco-responsible process that removes the use of pumice stones and gives the denim strength.
Garment dye
A dyeing method directly used on finished products.
Indigo
Name given to the dye typically used for coloring denim, made from the Indigofera Tinctoria plant. The natural properties of indigo guarantee a good color hold and progressive fading, as the pigment does not entirely penetrate the cotton fiber. These days, most of the indigo dyes are synthetic.
Laser
Eco-responsible process that can be used to remove color from the surface of the denim. This technique is mostly used to create patterns, washed looks, placed wear and tear or moustache creases.
Laundry
A company that carries out all the finishing stages on a product: garment dye, laser, enzyme washing, etc.
Rope Dyeing
A dyeing process where the threads are twisted into a rope and them immerged many times in a bath of natural indigo before being exposed to the open air. The longer the threads bathe in the dye, the deeper the resulting color will be.
Rising
Process applied to each garment to remove all the products used during the finishing stages.
Overdye
Application of a dye on a finished product when the twill had already been dyed previously.
Natural Dyes
Colors made from vegetables, fruits, plants or minerals. The colors thus produced tend to be shades of red, orange, green, blue, brown and grey.
Distressed / Azgard9
Laser / Tusa Denim
Natural dyes / Maritas Denim
Overdye / INDIGO TEXTILE
Shapes and Accessories
Fit
Designates the shape, the line and the cut of the finished product. In denim, we often talk about a regular fit, tight fit, skinny fit, loose fit, straight fit.
Hangtags
Paper label hanging from the finished product containing specific information about the product.
Jacron
Leather label placed on the rear of a pair of jeans, near the waistband.
Moustaches
Rows of horizontal pleats, usually found at the crotch, knees and upper leg of jeans. They can be formed after intensive wear of a pair of jeans, or be made mechanically, notably using the laser technique.
Label
Attached to the fabric or the finished product, the label provides specific information (composition, weight, country of origin, etc.).
Rivets
Component generally made from metal (copper or brass) placed on the edges of pocket seams and on the back pockets.
To go deeper, check out our Leather Technical Glossary.