Industrial ironing tables enhance factory productivity and create high-quality, crease-free clothing.

Love it or hate it, ironing is an essential part of day-to-day life. Throughout history, people have come up with different methods to achieve the same result: creaseless clothing.

Creased and wrinkled clothing makes for a poor first impression. But did you know that the benefits of ironing clothes are more than just aesthetic? Ironing preserves clothing for longer, as it protects fabric linings and seals from poor weather conditions and general wear and tear. This keeps clothing looking fresh while helping consumers reduce garment waste and save money on clothing. Moreover, high-temperature ironing removes odors by killing bacteria and fungi left over from washing.

Ironing in garment manufacturing

Ironing takes place in various stages of the production process. It can be used to press garments like jackets, pants, and coats into shape before sewing during a process called under-pressing. Some fabrics like linen or cotton are more likely to crease than others, so garment manufacturers should understand which type of materials they are dealing with and treat them accordingly. Easily creased fabrics may be lined with regenerated fibers like elastane or viscose to prevent wrinkles from forming in the first place. Using these fibers has the added benefit of improving the elasticity and overall feel of garments.

Even if under-pressing doesn’t take place, garments will be ironed as part of the final stages of production for their journey to retailers and the end customer. This also leaves a glossy finish on clothing, leaving them with a perfectly pressed feel.

Four keys to good ironing

The key to turning lifeless garments into crisp, well-shaped clothing that customers want to wear depends on four basic parameters, namely heat, moisture, pressure, and vacuum.

  • Heat softens fabric and allows shaping

Heat is required to soften fabric fibers to allow for shaping. Once the temperature starts to cool, minuscule fabric bonds strengthen and maintain their new shape. Selecting the correct temperature is crucial to avoid damaging or even burning delicate fibers.

  • Steam ironing enhances shaping by adding moisture

Moisture is released by irons in the form of steam, and enables shaping by causing fabric fibers to swell. Garment manufacturers should ensure they use the correct moisture setting during this stage to prevent fabric damage or shrinkage due to excessive moisture.

  • Pressure removes hard-to-iron creases

Once irons are hot enough to produce steam, users should apply pressure to the garment to remove wrinkles or press creases into clothing. The amount of pressure required depends on the desired outcome and severity of creases, and garment manufacturers should understand the fabric type to achieve maximum results.

  • Vacuum settings remove heat and moisture from garments

Once the ironing process is complete, machine operators should activate the vacuum function found in most industrial ironing tables. This sends a surge of cool air through garments, quickly removing any excess heat and moisture, and maintaining a crease-free or shaped item of clothing.

How do ironing tables help garment manufacturers?

Ironing tables or boards were invented in 1892, shortly after the invention of the modern-day electric iron. The combination of a steaming hot iron and a flat, sturdy board helps users completely remove wrinkles. Ironing tables provide a handy storage space for hot irons, so users can take a break from ironing without burning anything.

Ironing tables aren’t just useful at home, they’re also important in industry. Garment manufacturers use ironing tables for the same reason as home users: to get smooth and well-shaped garments. Ironing can also be used to apply creases to clothing where required.

Five big benefits of ironing tables

Industrial ironing tables have special features that bring further benefits to garment manufacturing, beyond removing creases. Here are five benefits of industrial ironing tables in garment manufacturing.

  • Suction improves ironing quality

Traditional ironing tables don’t offer much friction, so garments can slip or become even more creased during ironing. Industrial ironing tables come with a suction function designed to hold clothing securely in place, leading to higher-quality ironing results for all clothing types.

  • Adjustable height prevents back and neck injury

Instead of having to bend down to iron garments, users can raise or lower industrial ironing tables to the appropriate height. Well-adjusted ironing tables prevent common neck and back problems, thereby reducing employee injuries and costly sick days. A healthy workforce is a strong workforce, so adjustable ironing tables are a simple but worthwhile investment for any garment manufacturer.

  • Air settings enable drying and shaping

Some garments retain moisture even after drying, which leads to a limp and lifeless final product. Fortunately, industrial ironing tables are equipped with a fan to dry damp garments and shape them into the freshly pressed style customers expect. This added feature isn’t just convenient, it also saves time and money on additional manual drying and shaping.

  • Heavy-duty design increases output capacity

Garment manufacturers need the latest equipment to handle the high volumes and quick turnaround of today’s global market. Industrial ironing tables are built to handle harsh factory conditions, operating for hours to tackle bulk orders. A sturdy ironing table from a trustworthy manufacturer can help garment manufacturers gain a strong competitive advantage.

  • Quality garments boost manufacturer reputations

Poor-quality garments can ruin a manufacturer’s hard-earned reputation. Garment manufacturers can reduce the risk of reputational damage by upgrading their equipment. Industrial ironing tables produce crisp, well-ironed garments that meet customer demands, helping garment manufacturers earn a reputation for quality.

Conclusion

An often overlooked but vital addition to any garment factory, industrial ironing tables ensure garments are perfectly pressed. Adjustable height has long-term benefits for users, as it reduces the risk of repetitive strain injuries and employee sick days. Vacuum fans remove excess dampness, while suction increases ironing quality by keeping clothing secure on the board.

High-quality garments make for a stellar manufacturer reputation, thus increasing order quantities. OSHIMA’s compact and adjustable ironing tables come with vacuum and suction functions for maximum crease-free results. Talk to us today to find out how industrial ironing tables can increase your factory productivity.

References
https://www.privatecleaningoxfordshire.co.uk/news/7-benefits-of-ironing-your-clothes/
https://ironinglab.com/who-invented-ironing/
https://www.starletcleaning.co.uk/other/the-history-of-ironing/
https://textilelearner.net/pressing-important-finishing-process-in-garment-industry/
https://garmentsmerchandising.com/pressing-or-ironing-important-finishing-process-for-apparel/
https://www.polti.com/news/the-science-of-effective-ironing