Sanforising (pre-shrunk)
Sanforising is a controlled compressive-shrinkage finish that forces most of a fabric's residual shrinkage out before it is sold, so the finished garment or product shrinks very little in the first wash. A sanforised cloth is quoted with a residual shrinkage figure, typically 1–3%.
Untreated cotton can lose 5–10% in length after weaving and wet processing. Sanforising runs the damp cloth through a rubber belt that compresses it lengthwise, then dries it in that state. It is a finishing step, done after dyeing. Workwear, uniforms and bedding are almost always specified sanforised; raw or one-wash denim deliberately is not.
When you order from a mill
State a maximum residual shrinkage in your spec and we confirm whether it needs sanforising or a lighter set, and what that adds to price and lead time.