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RFD vs PFD Fabric — Are They the Same Thing?
RFD (ready for dyeing) and PFD (prepared for dyeing) describe the same idea — cloth prepared so it will take dye evenly — and many mills use the terms interchangeably. Where a distinction is drawn, PFD implies a fuller preparation: scour, bleach and sometimes a light singe or heat-set, with no optical brightener and no softener that would resist dye. RFD can be a lighter scour-and-bleach only. Always confirm what the preparation actually includes rather than relying on the initials.
| RFD | PFD | |
|---|---|---|
| Literal meaning | Ready for dyeing | Prepared for dyeing |
| Typical preparation | Scour + bleach | Scour + bleach, sometimes singe / heat-set |
| Optical brightener | Usually none | None — would shift the dyed shade |
| Softener | None or minimal | None — must not resist dye |
| Who uses the term | Common in India and Asia | Common in US garment-dye trade |
Choose RFD
Your dye house just needs clean, absorbent, unbrightened cloth and calls it RFD.
Choose PFD
A US customer's spec says PFD and expects a defined preparation and no additives.
Common questions
Will RFD cloth pass a PFD spec?
Usually, if it has been scoured and fully bleached with no optical brightener and no softener. The safe move is to send us the customer's PFD requirement so we prepare and document it to that standard.
Can garment-dyers use our RFD for reactive dyeing?
Yes. Our RFD is prepared without brightener or softener specifically so it works for reactive, vat and garment dyeing. Tell us the dye class and target depth and we will confirm suitability.
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Not sure which fits your spec? Send us the end use and we will recommend one.