Pick Density Variation and Fabric Hand
topic
Pick density variation along the fabric length affects fabric hand and appearance through the direct relationship between pick density and fabric fullness, with higher pick density producing denser, firmer, heavier fabric and lower pick density producing lighter, more open fabric, with the permitted pick density variation in quality specifications typically plus or minus 2 to 5 percent of nominal for standard commercial fabrics and tighter tolerances for premium fabrics where the tactile sensitivity of experienced buyers can detect smaller variations.
Role
Connects the process parameter of pick density to the product characteristics of weight, fullness, and hand that are the commercially significant fabric properties experienced by buyers and end users, with pick density management being the direct process control for these commercially important properties and with pick density measurement in fabric inspection providing the quantitative quality data that supports accept-reject decisions against specification tolerances.