AATC Smoothness Appearance

Purpose: The primary goal is to assess the level of wrinkling, creasing, and overall smooth appearance of fabrics, seams, and pressed-in creases in garments and other textile end products after washing and drying. This helps determine how well a textile maintains its aesthetic quality and ease of care

AATCC Test Methods: The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) has developed specific test methods for this evaluation:

AATCC Test Method 124 (TM124): Smoothness Appearance of Fabrics after Home Laundering. This method focuses on the smoothness appearance of flat fabric specimens.

AATCC Test Method 143 (TM143): Appearance of Apparel and Other Textile End Products after Home Laundering. This method expands to include the smoothness appearance of fabric, seams, and pressed-in creases in finished garments and textile products.

Smoothness Appearance Replicas: The evaluation is typically done using a set of AATCC Three-Dimensional Smoothness Appearance Replicas. These are six plastic replicas, each mounted on a black plastic backing, representing different grades of smoothness

Grade 5: Smoothest appearance (no wrinkles).

Grade 1: Most wrinkled appearance.

Intermediate grades (2, 3, 3.5, 4) represent varying degrees of wrinkling

  Evaluation Process Textile specimens (fabric swatches or garments) are subjected to specific home laundering procedures (washing and drying cycles) as outlined in the relevant AATCC test method.