Viscose fabric is a treasure in both home textiles and clothing. On the one hand, this fabric is soft and smooth, and it feels great against the skin. On the other hand, its flowing and draped structure makes clothes that stand out. Viscose cloth is both natural and technological because it comes from chemistry and nature. In this article, we will look at every aspect of viscose fabric, from its origins, its properties, and its environmental impact to its care. Keep scrolling to learn more about viscose fabric's advantages and applications.
What is Viscose Fabric?
Viscose fabric is a semi-synthetic fabric, meaning it is neither fully natural nor fully synthetic. It is typically made from cellulose, which is made from wood pulp and chemically transformed into viscose. Wood pulp from trees like bamboo, beech, pine, and eucalyptus is often used in this process. The viscose fabric material has a smooth, luxurious feel. Its draped design makes it look great, and its good breathability makes it very comfy, especially in the summertime.
What is the Fabric Viscose Made of?
Viscose is obtained from wood pulp, a natural resource. This pulp undergoes a chemical process to become fibers. Typically, beech, bamboo, pine, and eucalyptus trees are utilized to produce viscose fabric.
Through a sequence of chemical reactions, these cellulose fibers become viscose. The thickened solution is conveyed using a device called a spinneret, which allows for the extraction of the solution as fine fibers. Gathering the fibers that emerge from the spinneret yields regenerated cellulose. The materials are knitted or woven using yarn manufactured from these fibers.
What are the Characteristics of Viscose Fabric?
Viscose is a semi-synthetic fabric with a soft, silky texture. It drapes perfectly and fits the body perfectly. Due to its breathable structure, viscose is highly absorbent, comparable to cotton. Its high moisture absorption ensures that the body remains cool by absorbing perspiration. In addition, it can effectively absorb dyes and be dyed in various vibrant, brilliant colors, making it appropriate for printing.
However, viscose also has certain drawbacks. One is that a viscose shirt is susceptible to wrinkling, necessitating frequent laundering. Therefore, it is necessary to launder it before sewing, as it can shrink during the process.
What is Viscose Fabric Used For?
Viscose fabric is a versatile material widely used in various household textile products and clothing. It is particularly well-suited for dresses and blouses during the summer due to its soft, drapey, and fluid structure, which can absorb perspiration and is breathable. Viscose is also appropriate for patterned fabrics because it can absorb vibrant colors effectively. Skirts and trousers, particularly those with a relaxed or draped fit, are frequently constructed from this fabric. It is an exceptional choice for pajamas and knickers due to its plush and comfortable texture.
Light varieties of viscose, such as viscose shawls, are used for the lining of jackets and other garments, achieving a smooth inner layer. Due to its versatility, viscose is also an important element in a diverse array of textile products.
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Viscose Fabric?
The pros and cons of viscose fabric are balanced. The best features of this cloth are as follows:
Advantages:
- Soft and Silky Texture:
Due to its high quality and the smooth, silky feel it provides to the skin, viscose is commonly used for summer clothing and knickers.
- Draped and Fluid-Structure:
The flowing and fluid nature of viscose allows it to fit the body beautifully, making it ideal for garments such as dresses, blouses, and skirts.
- Breathability:
Similar to cotton, viscose is a breathable fabric. This makes it comfortable to wear, especially in hot weather.
- High Absorbency:
Viscose absorbs moisture well and wicks sweat away from the body. This is especially advantageous in sportswear and summer clothes.
- Good Color Absorption:
Viscose fabric readily absorbs dyes and can be dyed bright colors, making it great for patterned and colorful clothing.
- Various Weaving Types:
Using various weaving processes, viscose can be transformed into a wide array of fabrics. The end product is viscose fabrics with a wide range of textures and weights. For instance, viscose shali is airier and more draper than viscose poplin, but the former is more long-lasting.
- Affordability:
Viscose is a lower-cost alternative to silk that has comparable qualities.
Disadvantages:
- Tendency to Wrinkle:
Viscose cloth gets wrinkled easily and needs to be ironed.
- Shrinkage
Viscose can shrink during washing viscose fabric so it is better to wash viscose before sewing.
- Durability Issues:
Washing can cause viscose to shrink. This can be particularly problematic in garments that are worn or washed frequently.
- Environmental Impacts of Production:
Chemicals used to produce viscose have the potential to cause environmental issues, including deforestation. However, more sustainable production methods exist, such as Ecovero viscose.
Is Viscose a Breathable Fabric?
Yes, like cotton, viscose is a breathable fabric, which is why it's perfect for summer or hot-weather garments. One major benefit of viscose is how efficiently it absorbs moisture. This aids in maintaining core body temperature by absorbing sweat. Because of these characteristics, viscose fabric finds a home in athletic apparel.
Does Viscose Fabric Shrink?
Yes, absolutely! Viscose is known to shrink. In particular, the first wash might cause viscose to shrink by 5–10%. This is why it's crucial to pre-wash viscose cloth before sewing it. This prewash stops the cloth from losing its shape once the garment is made by letting it finish shrinking.
Viscose fabric shrinks easily, so it must be washed at a low temperature. To preserve its delicate nature, avoid using detergents that contain strong chemicals. Because viscose fabrics are so fragile, it's best to spin them at a low speed in the washing machine or hang them to dry instead of spinning them. Excessive heat from a tumble dryer can also ruin the fabric and cause it to shrink, so it's best to avoid using one.
Is Viscose Fabric Sustainable or Eco-friendly?
The production of viscose fabric can result in deforestation and the loss of biodiversity, as it uses wood species that are vital for animals, such as bamboo, eucalyptus, and pine. Furthermore, chemical use and water consumption have the potential to contribute to environmental contamination.
However, recovery viscose is made more eco-friendly, which means less water and chemicals are used in its production. While a fast-growing bamboo plant may seem like a green solution, the chemicals used to cultivate it compromise its environmental friendliness.
Is Viscose a Good Fabric?
Fabrics made of viscose have many uses and advantages. Garment producers love it because it's cheap, breathable, durable, and soft. However, you need to consider its wrinkling propensity, shrinkage, and manufacturing-related environmental impacts. When choosing a viscose blend, it's important to consider your preferences, the important features, and the fabric's intended use. There are additional options besides viscose if you are looking for a dress that will not wrinkle and keep you comfortable in hot weather.
Is Viscose Fabric Stretchy?
Viscose does not stretch. However, knitted viscose can be more stretchy than woven viscose. It can be mixed with elastane or another flexible fiber to make it more stretchy. Comfortable and breathable clothing made from these blends is a dream come true.
Knit viscose textiles are stretchy and flattering by nature. Hence, they are a good choice for dresses, T-shirts, and athletic apparel that need to move freely. Bamboo jerseys and viscose jerseys are examples of knitted viscose fabrics.
Comparison of Viscose with Other Fabrics
Below, you can compare viscose fabric with cotton, rayon, polyester, and modal.
- Viscose vs Cotton:
The textile industry's top two options are viscose fabric vs cotton. The elasticity of viscose is higher than that of cotton. Viscose, particularly in knitted varieties, can have a more pliable quality, making it more form-fitting. Compared to cotton, viscose has a smoother, softer feel. Viscose has a more fluid and drapey quality compared to cotton. Both materials allow air to circulate, but viscose keeps you from getting too hot because it absorbs moisture better.
Cotton is often longer-lasting and more durable than viscose. Because of its versatility and durability, cotton is a great fabric for casual and everyday wear. However, viscose is the fabric of choice for dressier, more draped outfits.
- Viscose vs Rayon:
Both viscose vs rayon are chemically processed from fibre found in wood. Chemically converting wood fibers into a soft, drapey fabric is the end result of the production process. Along with being absorbent, both fabrics are soft, lightweight, and airy. Due to these characteristics, rayon and viscose are perfect for summer dresses, blouses, and other garments. Prints look well on these textiles because of how well they take in bright colours and patterns. This fabric type's qualities and production process are essentially the same, although it goes by different names in different regions. "Rayon" is more popular in the United States, although "viscose" is more generally used in Europe.
- Viscose vs Polyester:
In terms of fabric elasticity, viscose vs polyester are not intrinsically elastic. Nevertheless, elastane-polyester blends can offer greater flexibility. The breathability of viscose is superior to that of polyester. Instead of making you perspire, viscose fabric draws moisture away from the skin and lets it breathe.
The softness of viscose is superior to that of polyester, making it the fabric of choice for skin-contact garments. The drape of viscose, on the other hand, is more fluid and flowing than that of polyester, making it the fabric of choice for sophisticated yet comfortable garments.
In terms of durability, polyester stands out. Polyester has a longer lifespan and less wrinkling potential than viscose.
- Viscose vs Modal:
The two fabrics share many of the same characteristics since they are both cellulose-based. Like viscose, modal is cellulose-based and usually comes from beech trees. Viscose vs modal are both soft and non-elastic, thanks to their shared elasticity characteristics. Though viscose is a nice and comfy fabric, modal is more pleasant to the touch and has a silkier, softer feel.
Modal outlasts viscose when it comes to longevity. Additionally, the modal shrinks less and lasts longer. From a breathable perspective, both textiles are winners. The permeability of viscose and modal makes them ideal for garments that promote skin comfort.
How to Care Viscose Fabric?
First and foremost, check the care label on your viscose garments to see how to prolong their life. Wash in cold water on a moderate cycle to prevent shrinking and discoloration. Opt for a gentle detergent instead of bleach. Avoid using the dryer on viscose fabrics; instead, lay them flat or hang them to dry. A low-temperature steam iron is best for ironing; turning the cloth inside out while pressing helps preserve its sheen.
You should hang up your clothes to prevent wrinkles, especially if they are made of viscose. To prevent shrinkage, pre-wash the fabric. Be careful while handling viscose materials because of their fragility.
Tips for Achieving the Best Results When Printing on Viscose Fabric
Fabrics made of viscose are technically natural, but their chemical production gives them a semi-synthetic structure. Consequently, while printing on delicate fabrics, it is important to keep their sensitivity in mind.
Digital printing techniques work well with viscose fabrics. Complicated designs and intricate patterns can be effortlessly implemented through digital printing. Unfortunately, sublimation printing does not work as well on viscose as it does on polyester. Yet, specifically blended viscose textiles can be sublimated and printed.
Screen printing excels for bigger runs with a single-color design. The delicate nature of viscose fabric necessitates extra caution and the use of appropriate inks. It is important to exercise caution while printing on viscose fabric due to its delicate structure.
Conclusion
With its distinctive features, exceptional comfort, and limitless uses, viscose is a must-have for textiles and home furnishings alike. Nevertheless, you must also take into account its care needs. By being gentle with your viscose garments, you can extend their life expectancy.
