process · 5 min read

Fabric finishing: what each finish does to the hand and the price

Finishing is where a cheap greige fabric becomes a product. It is also the part of the quote most often left as a single line, which makes it hard to compare.

By Weft Bridge · Reviewed by our Guangzhou sourcing team · Updated 2026-11

The common finishes

Finish	Effect	Cost impact
Enzyme wash	Softer hand, slight surface change	Low–medium
Peaching	Brushed, suede-like surface	Medium
Calendering	Flattened, glossy surface	Low
Mercerizing	Lustre, strength, dye uptake	Medium–high
Anti-pilling	Reduced fuzz	Low
Water repellent (C0)	Beads water, no fluorochemicals	Medium–high
Sanforizing	Controlled shrinkage	Low

Why finishing is hard to compare

A quote that includes “wash” can mean an enzyme wash, a stone wash or a simple rinse. The hand feel and the cost differ, and so does the shrinkage.

Ask for the finish by name, and for the shrinkage after that finish. If the supplier cannot name it, the price is not comparable.

Durability questions to ask

Does the water repellency survive 20 washes?
Is the anti-pilling finish mechanical or chemical?
Does the peach finish fade with abrasion?
Is the softener durable or a surface coating that washes out?

FAQ

Is a softer finish always better?

No. Softeners that wash out leave a fabric that feels different after five washes. Ask what is durable.

What is C0 water repellency?

Fluorochemical-free repellency. It performs slightly worse than C6/C8 but avoids the PFAS issue.