Textile Colour Measurement: Measuring the Colour of Wool Loose Fibres
#textiles #color #spectrophotometer #colorflexl2
Workshop 1 - Measuring the Colour of Wool Loose Fibres.
Why Fibre Colour Measurement Matters.
Welcome to this workshop on measuring the colour of wool and cotton fibres. Fibre colour plays a key role in product quality, dye uptake, and overall market value. Without accurate measurement, manufacturers risk inconsistent dyeing, quality issues, and costly returns. Today, we’ll explore how to assess fibre colour effectively using trusted tools and techniques.
Understanding Wool Processing Before Measurement.
Before diving into colour measurement, it’s helpful to understand how wool is processed. Merino wool is a renewable, natural performance fibre. Each year, Merino sheep grow a fresh fleece, which is then harvested, cleaned, and processed.
Wool undergoes scouring to remove dirt and lanolin. After drying, the wool is carded to open the fibres. Depending on fibre length, it either follows the worsted route for smooth yarns or the woolen route for bulkier yarns. The worsted process involves gilling and combing to align and purify the fibres before spinning. Yarns are then knitted or woven into fabrics. Dyeing can occur at various stages including loose wool, yarn, fabric, or finished garments.
Why Colour Measurement Is Essential.
Colour measurement ensures that the fibre is clean, grease-free, and meets grading standards. Discolouration can result from environmental exposure, microbial activity, or storage issues. It can also affect how evenly the material accepts dye.
By measuring colour accurately, manufacturers can control quality, detect issues early, and make informed processing decisions. Consistent colour data supports uniformity across batches and production sites.
How to Measure Fibre Colour Accurately.
To measure wool or cotton fibre colour accurately, colour spectrophotometers like the HunterLab ColourFlex L2 is used. This device delivers fast, objective results with Essentials 2.0, industry's most advanced color analysis software.
Here’s a quick demo of measuring the colour of wool with ColourFlex L2:
Place the wool or cotton sample in a sample cup.
Use a compression holder to flatten the fibre and eliminate uneven surfaces.
Position the cup in the instrument and initiate measurement.
Get immediate values for:
Whiteness Index (WI E313)
Yellowness Index (YI E313)
Tint
Rdab
CIELAB colour space.
These indices help assess cleanliness, brightness, and discolouration sources.
Types of Wool Colour and Grading Systems.
Wool colour is evaluated in three stages:
greasy (before cleaning)
clean (after scouring)
and base (post-processing).
Poor base colour can limit dyeing flexibility and indicate contamination or microbial damage.
Global grading systems include those from the Australian Wool Corporation, the New Zealand National Council of Wool Interests, and the International Wool Textile Organization. Selecting the right system depends on your market and customer needs.
Common Causes of Wool Discolouration.
Discolouration in wool often results from:
Rainfall or humidity
Fungal growth
Poor storage conditions
Seasonal shearing variations
Recognizing these causes helps manufacturers apply effective cleaning and processing strategies.
Best Practices for Reliable Colour Data.
To maintain accuracy and consistency in fibre colour measurement:
Calibrate your instrument regularly
Standardize your instrument before each day of operation
Use compression holders for uniform sample presentation
Follow standardized cleaning and scouring procedures
Apply the grading system that aligns with your market.
Make Colour Your Competitive Advantage.
Measuring fibre colour is more than a lab task. It is a quality control tool that protects your product, reduces rework, and enhances customer satisfaction. By integrating accurate colour measurement into your production workflow, you create a reliable, efficient, and market-ready fibre supply chain.
Let’s make fibre colour your foundation for success!
https://www.hunterlab.com/en/
Credits
Includes brief footage (0:57–1:28) from How Wool Is Made: From Farm to Fashion by The Woolmark Company.
Source: youtube.com/watch?v=YwRbyTCqOQY
More at: woolmark.com
All rights reserved by The Woolmark Company.
Workshop 1 - Measuring the Colour of Wool Loose Fibres.
Why Fibre Colour Measurement Matters.
Welcome to this workshop on measuring the colour of wool and cotton fibres. Fibre colour plays a key role in product quality, dye uptake, and overall market value. Without accurate measurement, manufacturers risk inconsistent dyeing, quality issues, and costly returns. Today, we’ll explore how to assess fibre colour effectively using trusted tools and techniques.
Understanding Wool Processing Before Measurement.
Before diving into colour measurement, it’s helpful to understand how wool is processed. Merino wool is a renewable, natural performance fibre. Each year, Merino sheep grow a fresh fleece, which is then harvested, cleaned, and processed.
Wool undergoes scouring to remove dirt and lanolin. After drying, the wool is carded to open the fibres. Depending on fibre length, it either follows the worsted route for smooth yarns or the woolen route for bulkier yarns. The worsted process involves gilling and combing to align and purify the fibres before spinning. Yarns are then knitted or woven into fabrics. Dyeing can occur at various stages including loose wool, yarn, fabric, or finished garments.
Why Colour Measurement Is Essential.
Colour measurement ensures that the fibre is clean, grease-free, and meets grading standards. Discolouration can result from environmental exposure, microbial activity, or storage issues. It can also affect how evenly the material accepts dye.
By measuring colour accurately, manufacturers can control quality, detect issues early, and make informed processing decisions. Consistent colour data supports uniformity across batches and production sites.
How to Measure Fibre Colour Accurately.
To measure wool or cotton fibre colour accurately, colour spectrophotometers like the HunterLab ColourFlex L2 is used. This device delivers fast, objective results with Essentials 2.0, industry's most advanced color analysis software.
Here’s a quick demo of measuring the colour of wool with ColourFlex L2:
Place the wool or cotton sample in a sample cup.
Use a compression holder to flatten the fibre and eliminate uneven surfaces.
Position the cup in the instrument and initiate measurement.
Get immediate values for:
Whiteness Index (WI E313)
Yellowness Index (YI E313)
Tint
Rdab
CIELAB colour space.
These indices help assess cleanliness, brightness, and discolouration sources.
Types of Wool Colour and Grading Systems.
Wool colour is evaluated in three stages:
greasy (before cleaning)
clean (after scouring)
and base (post-processing).
Poor base colour can limit dyeing flexibility and indicate contamination or microbial damage.
Global grading systems include those from the Australian Wool Corporation, the New Zealand National Council of Wool Interests, and the International Wool Textile Organization. Selecting the right system depends on your market and customer needs.
Common Causes of Wool Discolouration.
Discolouration in wool often results from:
Rainfall or humidity
Fungal growth
Poor storage conditions
Seasonal shearing variations
Recognizing these causes helps manufacturers apply effective cleaning and processing strategies.
Best Practices for Reliable Colour Data.
To maintain accuracy and consistency in fibre colour measurement:
Calibrate your instrument regularly
Standardize your instrument before each day of operation
Use compression holders for uniform sample presentation
Follow standardized cleaning and scouring procedures
Apply the grading system that aligns with your market.
Make Colour Your Competitive Advantage.
Measuring fibre colour is more than a lab task. It is a quality control tool that protects your product, reduces rework, and enhances customer satisfaction. By integrating accurate colour measurement into your production workflow, you create a reliable, efficient, and market-ready fibre supply chain.
Let’s make fibre colour your foundation for success!
https://www.hunterlab.com/en/
Credits
Includes brief footage (0:57–1:28) from How Wool Is Made: From Farm to Fashion by The Woolmark Company.
Source: youtube.com/watch?v=YwRbyTCqOQY
More at: woolmark.com
All rights reserved by The Woolmark Company.