In most textile manufacturing plants and professional dry-cleaning businesses, investment is focused on production. High-performance machinery is purchased, workflows are optimised, and volumes are increased. Finishing is often the final step, treated superficially, even though it is precisely this stage that determines how the customer perceives the final quality.
The result is predictable: items that are well-made but compromised aesthetically, long processing times, high resource consumption and complaints that arise precisely when volumes increase. There are five common mistakes in finishing that cost time, money and customers on a daily basis. The good news is that they can be easily identified and eliminated through the right solutions, not by improvising.
Mistake No. 1: finishing all items with the same ironing presses
One of the most common mistakes in textile finishing is using the same ironing presses for all types of garments, regardless of their structure, material or volume. Traditional ironing presses are designed for formal garments with relatively flat and rigid surfaces, such as trousers or jackets. In these cases, direct pressure works well and delivers an acceptable result.
The problem arises when the same type of pressing is applied to casual or bulky garments. T-shirts, blouses, hoodies, jackets or coats are not designed to be flattened. Direct pressure damages the fibres, alters the fabric’s structure and removes the garment’s natural volume. Instead of achieving a neat appearance, the result is stiff, artificial and, often, irreversible.
Bulky garments, such as jackets or coats, are the most affected. These need to be shaped, not pressed.
Attempting to press them flat inevitably leads to distortion, forced creases and the loss of the original silhouette intended by the designer.
The signs of this problem are easy to spot in everyday wear. T-shirts develop shiny marks in the ironed areas, particularly on finer or darker fabrics. Blouses lose their shape after just a few wears, and jackets end up looking ‘crushed’, lacking structure and volume. Over time, frequent complaints arise regarding the final appearance, even if the product is technically sound.
The cause is not a lack of attention on the part of the operators, but the finishing infrastructure. Many facilities still operate with outdated equipment, designed at a time when formal garments dominated the market. In the absence of modern alternatives for delicate finishing, the presses are forced to perform tasks for which they were not designed. This gives rise to the ‘we’ll do what we can with what we’ve got’ approach, which leads to constant compromises on quality.
In reality, the correct finishing of modern textile items does not mean more pressure, but rather more control and adaptability. Without a dedicated solution for contactless finishing, this mistake continues to result in wasted time, damage to products and customer dissatisfaction.
The solution: VEIT Universal Finisher UF 30, contactless finishing
For items that cannot be pressed without risk, the correct solution is not to adjust the pressure or take greater care, but to completely change the finishing method. The VEIT Universal Finisher UF 30 is designed precisely for this purpose: professional finishing without direct contact with the material, regardless of the type of garment.
The UF 30 operates on the principle of controlled shaping, not pressing. The garment is mounted on a 360-degree rotating mannequin, which allows for the even distribution of steam or hot air across the entire surface. The fabric is smoothed and brought into the correct shape without being subjected to direct pressure, completely eliminating the risk of shine, scorching or distortion.
The operator can adjust the height of the mannequin ergonomically, ensuring that finishing is carried out quickly and comfortably, regardless of the garment’s size or type. This flexibility reduces physical strain and allows a consistent work pace to be maintained throughout the day.
The VEIT Universal Finisher UF 30 is the ideal solution for professional dry cleaners handling large volumes and a wide variety of garments, for the production of casual or sportswear, and for factories processing a mix of formal and casual garments within the same workflow.
Its versatility allows for rapid adaptation to different requirements, without downtime or complicated reconfigurations.
The difference is immediately apparent in productivity. An item that previously required 3 to 5 minutes of delicate manual finishing, with a constant risk of damage, is now finished in 30 to 60 seconds. The result is consistent, professional and reliable, regardless of the operator or the workload.
Mistake No. 2: treating shirts like any other garment
Shirts are, without exaggeration, the garments that most clearly reveal whether the finishing has been done correctly or merely adequately. Unlike other garments, a shirt has a complex structure, with areas that differ in both structure and thickness: the collar, cuffs, buttons, sleeves and body. Each of these elements reacts differently to steam, temperature and tension.
When shirts are processed using universal equipment, designed to do everything, the result is inevitably a compromise. One area may come out well finished, whilst another remains with fine creases or is slightly wavy. Universal finishing equipment cannot properly account for all these differences, and the effect is immediately apparent in the final appearance.
Shirts emerge from standard ironing presses looking acceptable, but never flawless. Collars retain small creases that are immediately noticeable when worn, cuffs are slightly wavy, and the body of the shirt is uneven. Furthermore, the finishing time frequently takes between 2 and 5 minutes per garment, with results varying from one operator to another, which affects both productivity and consistency.
The causes are well known. Universal machines are forced to perform tasks for which they were not designed.
The importance of shirts in the customer’s perception is often underestimated, even though they are among the most closely observed items. Often, the decision not to invest in dedicated equipment is justified by a lack of budget, without taking into account the hidden costs generated by long processing times and customer complaints.
The solution: the VEIT Shirt Finisher SF 27, a specialised system designed exclusively for finishing shirts
The VEIT Shirt Finisher SF 27 is designed based on the actual geometry of the shirt. The system treats each area optimally, with the collar, cuffs, sleeves and body all being finished correctly in a single cycle. Finishing and drying take place simultaneously, eliminating intermediate steps and significantly reducing processing time.
In practical terms, the SF 27 delivers a complete professional finish. The fabric is smoothed evenly, the shape of the shirt is correctly defined and all creases are removed without damaging the fabric. Finishing time is reduced to under 60 seconds per garment, compared with the 3 to 5 minutes required for manual finishing, and every shirt comes out identical, regardless of the operator or the workload.
The system is energy-efficient, with low steam consumption, which helps to reduce operating costs. At the same time, automation significantly reduces stress for operators, who no longer have to manually handle every delicate area of the shirt.
The Veit SF 27 is the ideal solution for production facilities where shirts account for over 30 per cent of the volume, for premium dry cleaners with business clients, and for factories producing formal or business-casual shirts. It is also the right choice for any establishment seeking speed, consistency and a uniform standard of finish.
The difference is clear in the results. A shirt that previously required 3 to 4 minutes of manual finishing, with variable results, is now finished in 45 to 60 seconds, flawlessly, every time. The operator experiences up to three times less fatigue, and the quality delivered becomes the norm, not the exception.
Mistake No. 3: using the same settings for all fabrics
Cotton, polyester, silk, wool or blended fabrics react differently to heat and steam. Using the same settings for all of them inevitably leads to compromises: either overheating and damage, or a poor finish that fails to meet quality standards.
The signs become apparent quickly. Sensitive fabrics develop a sheen after pressing, fabrics get scorched or discoloured, and polyester may melt or warp. Often, the problem is not noticed straight away, but usually only when the first complaint arises.
This situation becomes increasingly apparent when equipment does not allow for precise adjustments, and operators rely on experience rather than clear parameters. Time pressure leads to the use of settings considered ‘safe’, but which are ineffective for a large proportion of materials.
VEIT eliminates this risk through control and adaptability. The UF 30 allows for rapid switching between steam for natural fabrics and hot air for synthetic fabrics, with adjustable intensity and a contact-free finish, eliminating the risk of scorching or sheen. The Veit SF 27 shirt finishing manikin features pre-set programmes for cotton, blends and delicate fabrics, with precise steam and temperature control, as well as protection against overheating.
The result is the correct finish for every fabric, with no wastage and consistent quality, regardless of the fabric’s composition. This means operators no longer rely on instinct and experience, but on reliable parameters.
Mistake No. 4: thinking you have to choose between speed and quality
Many manufacturers come to believe that fast finishing automatically means poor quality, whilst high-quality finishing requires a lot of time and incurs high costs. This is a false dilemma, caused by outdated equipment and non-optimised processes.
These issues result in customer complaints when volumes increase, excessively high hourly costs when working meticulously, and constant stress on the production line. Whichever choice is made, customers remain dissatisfied.
VEIT demonstrates that speed and quality can be delivered simultaneously. The Veit UF 30 achieves 60 to 250 items per hour without compromising on finish, maintaining a steady pace thanks to its superior ergonomics. The SF 27 finishes a shirt in less than 60 seconds, with impeccable results, regardless of volume.
The result is simple: you deliver quickly and flawlessly, without having to compromise between the two.
Mistake No. 5: ignoring the energy consumption of equipment used in textile production
Outdated equipment consumes excessive amounts of steam and energy, even during downtime, and costs rise without being easily identifiable. Often, you produce a lot, but profits remain low, and utility bills seem impossible to account for.
The cause is a lack of efficiency systems and proper monitoring of consumption. The VEIT UF 30 and SF 27 machines are designed with optimised energy consumption, intelligent standby systems and efficient thermal insulation. A 30 to 40 per cent reduction in energy consumption allows the investment to be recouped in 18 to 24 months from utility savings alone, without taking into account the time saved and the improved quality.
How can you avoid all these mistakes?
Avoiding finishing mistakes starts with an honest assessment of the reality on the production floor. It is essential to know what types of items you finish most often, where you lose the most time, what quality issues arise consistently, and how much energy costs account for in your monthly budget.
TeXco offers specialist consultancy directly at your factory or dry-cleaning facility, where critical points in the finishing process are identified. Based on this analysis, bespoke solutions are recommended – either the VEIT UF 30, the VEIT SF 27, or a combination of the two – depending on the type of production.
Implementation is carried out efficiently, without disrupting operations, with professional installation and comprehensive operator training. Subsequently, performance is constantly monitored, fine-tuning is carried out, and TeXco’s support ensures optimal long-term operation.
Who are the Veit UF 30 and SF 27 finishing machines ideal for?
The VEIT UF 30 is the right solution when there is a wide variety of items, from T-shirts and hoodies to jackets and coats. It is ideal for professional dry cleaners with customers who have varied needs, casual or sportswear manufacturers, and workshops requiring maximum flexibility, with volumes of up to 250 items per hour.
VEIT SF 27 is the right choice when shirts make up a significant proportion of the workload. It is designed for specialised production, premium dry cleaners with business clients, and manufacturers of formal or business-casual clothing, where consistency and speed are essential.
The combination of the VEIT SF 27 for shirts and the UF 30 for other garments creates a complete professional finishing system, with no compromises and no weak points.
Finishing is not a mere final detail, but a critical stage in textile production, with a direct impact on perceived quality, operational efficiency and long-term costs. When carried out using dedicated equipment and processes tailored to the type of garment, finishing becomes a real competitive advantage, rather than a source of losses or compromises.
A proper technical assessment of the finishing process enables the identification of suitable solutions for each type of production. TeXco offers specialist consultancy to optimise textile finishing, with bespoke recommendations for equipment such as the VEIT UF 30, VEIT SF 27 or combinations tailored to the actual needs of your facility.
Request a technical analysis at any time and find out which solution best suits your production!