Materials: Creating the Retrospective Canvas

The cotton canvas used in the Retrospective series features a natural cracking pattern like a stone’s surface. This unique pattern is achieved by a special washing and dry tumbling process.

Key Characteristics

• Made from 100% cardened cotton woven canvas
• Pigment printed
• Stone-washed and tumble-dried
• Water-repellent polyurethane coating
• Weight:
  • 628gr/yd Ingrey – 63 inch width
  • 642gr/yd after finished – 58/59 inch width

The Colorization Process

Generally, most fabric color is applied in during the dyeing process where the fabric is dyed on both sides. But to get grizzled surface and cracking pattern, the Retrospective cotton fabric uses a pigment printing process instead of a dyeing process.

The Retrospective fabric runs through the pigment printing process twice.

The first pigment printing process applies a deep and thick coat to achieve the fabric’s main body color. (Outer surface only). At this point, all fabric has same color without difference as normal dyed fabrics.

The Wash & Dry Process

After the first printing process, the fabric is washed for 3-4 hours then tumble-dried at high temperature for another 1-2 hours. Because the fabric is so heavy, we can only wash/dry 30 yards at a time.

After washing and tumble-drying process, some pigment paint on fabric surface peeled off, creating the signature cracking pattern.

During the second pigment printing process, a light and thin pigment mixed with polyurethane is applied to both sides of the fabric to decrease the color differences and achieve water-resistance.

Quality Control Check

To check the color and quality we visit factory several times during production period.

It’s impossible to control each roll’s washing and dry tumbling process under exactly same condition. However, each roll still has a unique cracking pattern and variation in color tone.