The core differences between near-infrared (NIR) and far-infrared (FIR) functional fabrics. Their functions, principles, and applications. Two fabrics with similar names have completely different functions and working principles.

Reflective yarn is a specialized functional material designed to enhance visibility and safety in low-light conditions . It works on the principle of retro-reflection, where embedded glass beads or micro-prisms efficiently reflect light back to its source, such as car headlights .

Wash-and-Set​ process is a pre-treatment for knit fabrics (especially those with spandex) before cutting, combining relaxed washing and heat setting. Its core purpose is to eliminate internal stress and pre-release shrinkage​ in advance, ensuring permanent dimensional stability of the final garment. The fabric is allowed to fully shrink during washing, then heat-set to the exact required width and weight. This is a crucial step for producing high-quality, dimensionally stable stretch garments.