Textile and fabrics are broad-meaning terms that are considered the same and often used interchangeably by common people. Are these terms the same, or are there any differences? Can these terms be used for each other? In this article, you will learn about their similarities and differences. If you want to understand the process of textiles from raw materials to usable form, it is important to understand the differences: textiles vs fabrics.
Introduction
Have you ever wondered if textile and fabric mean the same thing? If yes, so you are not alone in this universe because these two terms are often used interchangeably during everyday conversation, clothing stores and even by some professionals, but in the world of textile engineering, these two represent different stages of the textile manufacturing process.
The simplest way to understand the difference between these terms: every fabric is a textile, but not every textile is a fabric and differentiating between textile and fabric is very important for textile engineering students, quality control engineers, lab professionals, garment manufacturers, sourcing specialists and buyers.
What is A Textile?
The word textile originated from the Latin language term textiles, meaning “woven”. Originally, textiles were related only to woven fabrics, but nowadays, they are related to all finished and unfinished fabrics and raw materials like yarn and filaments.
The term “textiles” is sometimes used to refer to a broader industry that includes the production of fiber, yarn, fabrics, processing, and clothing. Different categories of textiles include carpet, geotextile, and technical textiles.
Classification of textile
Textile has a broad range. It can be narrowed down to:
- Composition of Textile: It consists of several distinct parameters, such as material, type, texture, appearance, and fiber blend. All textiles are based on fibers. These fibers can be natural or synthetic. Natural fibers include animal fibers (wool etc.) and plant fibers (cotton, hemp, jute, etc.). These natural fibers are known for their comfort, durability, and by their eco-friendliness. Synthetic fibers include all man-made fibers, e.g., polyester and nylon. All these fibers are twisted to make yarn and thread, the building blocks of any fabric.
- Textile Application: Based on their end use, textiles are categorized into three categories: clothing textiles, technical textiles, and industrial textiles. This section includes all types of fabric, including woven and knitted. Moreover, textiles have wide applications in household items, transportation, agriculture, and sustainability.
- Textile Production: Based on the production method, textiles can be divided into many categories, such as woven, knitted, and braided. Bonding techniques are utilized for non-woven fabrics, which include tea bags, Baby wipes, and facecloths.
Extraction of Plant Based FibersWhat is Fabric?
Fabric is the intersection or interloping of textile fibers to make a suitable product. It is a structure manufactured by weaving, knitting, braiding, crocheting, or even joining methods like bonding, which are used in non-wovens. So, this section includes all techniques used to make a flat fabric mass.
Generally, the term fabric describes the finished cloth used for making garments.
Fabric can be categorized by its production method.
- Woven fabric: This fabric is made using a weaving technique. These include air-jet, water-jet, rapier, jacquard, and dobby-type production methods. Woven fabrics are usually used in dress shirts, bed sheets, and curtains.
- Knitted Fabric: Knitted fabrics have loops. Common knitting methods include warp and weft knitting. Socks, sweaters, and jerseys are often knitted.
- Braiding is the process of forming a rope-like structure from yarn or threads. It is usually used to make shoelaces, bags, and ropes.
Carpet Made By BraidingTextile vs Fabric
With the above details, you can now understand both terms. Both terms are different in terms of their end use and production. Fabric is a general term used for clothing, whereas textile is used for the entire cloth industry. Fabrics are used only for wearing dresses, while textiles can be used in fields other than clothing. Fabrics are made by combining or blending different yarns or fibers, but textiles include all these fibers, including the fabric.
Yarn Made From Wool (Animal Fibers)Textiles may be finished or unfinished, while fabrics are always finished. Regarding care and maintenance, textile care varies widely based on fiber and construction. Proper care can, however, significantly increase the fabric´s lifespan.
Raw textiles, such as cotton yarn, are often cheaper than advanced textiles, but fabric is always costly because of the processing involved. Textiles are often considered more eco-friendly than fabrics, requiring less processing and chemical exposure. However, with recent advancements, more sustainable fabric is being produced to support the sustainable fashion industry.
Textile vs Fabric: Key Differences
| Features | Textiles | Fabrics |
| Definition | A broad term covering all of the fiber-based materials and products | A flexible sheet material which is made from fibers or yarns |
| Scope | Broad | Specific |
| Manufacturing Stage | Entire textile production chain | One stage within textile manufacturing |
| Includes | Fibers, yarns, fabrics, garments, technical textiles | Woven, knitted, nonwoven, braided fabrics |
| Structure | May be fiber, yarn, fabric, or finished product | Always sheet-like |
| Raw Material | Natural, regenerated, or synthetic fibers | Usually yarns, sometimes fibers directly |
| Manufacturing Methods | Spinning, weaving, knitting, bonding, finishing | Weaving, knitting, bonding, felting |
| Primary Purpose | Producing all textile products | Producing materials for finished products |
| Examples | Fiber, yarn, garments, carpets, geotextiles | Denim, canvas, jersey, satin |
| Testing | Fiber, yarn, fabric, garment, and product testing | Fabric performance testing only |
| End Products | Clothing, home textiles, industrial textiles | Garments, upholstery, curtains, bedding |
| Engineering Meaning | Complete manufacturing system | One component within the system |
| Consumer Understanding | Rarely used correctly | Commonly recognized |
Real-Life Examples
Example 1: Cotton T-Shirt
Cotton fiber – Cotton yarn -Knitted fabric – Dyed fabric – T-Shirt
Example 2: Denim Jeans
Cotton fiber – Ring-spun yarn – Denim fabric – Garment Washing – Jeans
Textile vs Fabric in Laboratory Testing
Textile Testing
In textile testing, the lab technician evaluates every stage of textile production, including:
- Fiber testing
- Yarn testing
- Fabric testing
- Garment testing
- Finished product evaluation
Common Textile Testing
- Fiber length
- Fiber fineness
- Yarn evenness
- Yarn strength
- Fabric strength
- Color fastness
- Garment performance
Fabric testing
In fabric testing, the lab technician focuses only on the properties of finished fabrics.
Common Fabric Tests
- GSM
- Air permeability
- Tensile strength
- Tear strength
- Bursting strength
- Abrasion resistance
- Pilling resistance
- Dimensional stability
- Color fastness
- Water repellency
Conclusion
Textiles are ubiquitous and used in every industry. They include everything from textile fibers with no specific use to a finished garment as a completely usable product. Fabric is mostly related to garment manufacturing; however, textiles can be utilized in various sectors. Additionally, fabric remains a part of the textile category. We can use the same resources to produce textiles and fabric. In summary, the word “textile” includes all types of raw materials and fabrics and is a broad term for the whole fashion industry. However, not all fabrics are textiles.
FAQs
What are natural and synthetic fibers?
Fibers of natural origin, i.e., animal or plant, are considered natural. Cotton, wool, and silk are common natural fibers. Fibers produced by blends or chemical methods are called synthetic or man-made fibers. Polyester and Nylon are common synthetic fibers.
Do textiles and fabric require different care methods?
Yes, they require different care and maintenance. Textile care depends on fiber and composition, while proper care of the fabric, according to the instructions, can increase its lifespan. The care methods of any textile and fabric vary according to their composition and end use.
What types of materials are used to make textiles and fabrics?
Textiles and fabrics can be made from natural elements, such as animal materials like wool, or synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon.
What are the applications of textiles?
Following are the important industrial sectors where mostly textiles are used:
- Medical Textile: For bandages and gauze fabrics.
- Agriculture and in Fishing department
- Home textile: For garments used in daily routines.
- Military: For water-resistant and highly durable clothes.
- Sport Industry: For making breathable fabrics
- Outdoor gear: This is used to make high-performance garments used in harsh environments.
How are fabrics made?
Fabrics are made by spinning natural or synthetic fibers into yarn. These yarns are then woven or knitted to form fabric. The fabric is dyed or printed, followed by a garment finishing process .
What is the difference between weaving and knitting?
Woven fabric is made by interlacing yarns that cross each other at right angles. It is less stretchable and more durable, making it best for shirts, trousers, etc. On the other hand, knitting is the process of interlacing yarns. Due to its loop structure, knitted fabrics have a lot of stretch and elasticity.
What are woven fabrics, and what are their applications?
Woven fabrics are made by interlacing yarns at 90ᵒ. This process produces fabrics with different patterns. They are durable and can be used in everyday garments with different shapes for styling. Woven fabrics are even used in advanced industrial manufacturing processes like construction, packaging, and technical textiles.
How can you classify fabrics?
Fabrics are classified mainly into 3 types:
- Woven fabric
- Non-woven fabric
- Knitted fabric
What is braiding, and how is it used?
In braiding, three or more strands of yarn are used to make a strong,, cohesive fabric by interlacing them. Unlike weaving, this is done by intertwining at diagonals, which creates a more flexible and tubular structure. Ropes and shoelaces are common braided examples.
Which one is suitable for the environment: textile or fabric?
Fabric requires processing, dyeing, and printing processes for its end use. These processes contain chemicals that are hazardous and not eco-friendly. However, due to recent advancements, experts have also made sustainable fabrics to support sustainability and the environment.
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