Calculating Raw Linen Greige Off-Loom Mass Loss
Off loom mass loss in linen greige averages 14 to 22 percent, requiring correction for sizing pickup, moisture regain, and non cellulosic scour extraction.
Dry Greige Gsm
Physical Property
Mass per square metre of a linen fabric measured immediately after weaving and before any moisture or chemical processing establishes the raw density of the cloth. Technicians refer to this value as the dry greige gsm. This value represents the raw density of the material as it comes off the loom.
It provides the baseline for all subsequent calculations regarding shrinkage and chemical weight loss.
Weight Calculation
Technicians cut circular specimens of exactly one hundred square centimetres from different locations across the width of the fabric roll. Each specimen is dried in an oven until the moisture content reaches zero before being weighed on a precision balance. Multiplying the result by one hundred yields the dry greige gsm for that specific batch.
This method eliminates the variable of ambient humidity which can significantly alter the weight of flax fibres during a work shift.
Production Standard
Loom settings including warp tension and pick density are adjusted based on the required final weight of the cloth. If the dry greige gsm is too low, the finished fabric may appear thin or fail to meet the buyer’s strength specifications. Over-shooting the weight results in wasted yarn and increased production costs without adding value to the final product.