80/20 Fleece: Generally refers to the fabric content in many of our fleece items, where indicated, 80% Cotton / 20% Polyester.
Appliqué: A surface design made by cutting out fabric and applying to another fabric either by stitching or embroidery.
Bonding: The process of joining two fabrics together with a bonding agent or membrane.
Bonded Fleece: The outside layer of knit is bonded to an inside layer of pile fabric (a fabric with a raised surface). For example, the smooth jersey knit outside layer is bonded to a micro-fleece inside layer. The raised surface of the micro-fleece would be against the body for warmth.
Burn-Out: A pattern created on the surface of the fabric during the printing process. A chemical is added to the print paste to destroy specific fibers, and in turn create a pattern on the fabric.
Dip Dye: Dip dyeing describes the process to achieve a continuous colour gradation on a garment. Whole garments can be dipped, reflecting shades of a colour from dark to light. This is also referred to as an "Ombre effect."
Embroidery: A design created on a garment using various stitch formats & threads.
Fairisle Knit: Refers to a traditional knitting technique used to create patterns with multiple yarn colours. The stitches are knit alternatively in various colours, and the un-used yarns are carried across the back of the knit.
Felt: Used primarily in appliqué designs. The content of felt normally used is acrylic.
Flocking: A raised & textured decoration applied to the surface of a garment. An adhesive is printed in the shape of the design & fine fibers are applied, concealing the adhesive.
Garment-Dyeing (GD): The process of dyeing a complete garment after it is assembled.
Garment Wash: The garment is constructed and then washed to soften the fabric hand-feel & minimize shrinkage.
Heavy Enzyme Garment Wash: This is a garment wash process. Enzyme agents are included in the wash water to alter the surface of the fabric, removing excess fibres or surface pills. The term "Heavy" can refer to the amount of the enzyme agents added to the wash, or the length of the wash cycle or a combination of both.
Lycra ® Spandex: A stretchable man-made fiber that is often added to fabrics like nylon or cotton.
Organic Reflects any product that is grown or raised without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or hormones.
Organic Cotton: Reflects Cotton grown without pesticides or artificial fertilizers, and is not genetically modified.
Pique Fabric: Primarily known as a knitted fabric with raised designs such as a honeycomb, waffle or birds-eye patterns. A knitted pique is also from the double-knit family of knits.
Print: An ink formula applied to a garment. A print can be monochromatic or multicoloured. (a single colour print / a two colour print, etc.).
RBA or Roots Beaver Athletics: The name of our original logo found on many of our t-shirts and sweats.
Reverse Fleece: The brushed (or what would usually be on the inside of the garment) side of the fabric is used on the outside of the garment.
Sandblasted: A process that blasts sand at particular areas of a garment. The sand is blasted at a certain level that the strength of the fabric is not affected, however the desired look is achieved.
Smocking: Decorations on cloth made by making folds or tucks and sewing these into position. A fine elastic thread can also be used on the under-side during this process. Smocking is associated with baby product and womens blouses and dresses.
Stonewashed: A process of washing a garment with pumice stones and water to give the garment a weathered look, while softening the fabric.
Sueded Fleece: The surface of the fabric used is sanded to give it a "sueded" feel. The fleece is passed under a roller at one speed, while a very fine emery type paper is rolled against the fleece at another speed.
Supplex: Supplex yarns can be found in both woven & knit products. Supplex fabrics have many positive properties including softness, durability, good colour retention, as well as high wicking properties and breathability.
Tri-Blend: The fabric is a blend made of Polyester / Cotton / Rayon and described as an "ultra-soft" fabric that is comfortable to wear. This fabric also features good recovery after being stretched.
Vintaged: A process achieved by one or many of the stonewashing or sandblasting techniques in order to give a garment an aged feel and look.
Water Repellent: Fabrics that have been treated with a finish, and shed water from the surface. The finish does not close the pores of the fabric and remains air permeable.
Water Resistant: Fabrics that have been chemically treated to resist water penetration, and as a result are also not air permeable.
Wicking: The ability of a fabric to disperse or spread moisture to the surface of the fabric, so that the liquid can evaporate.
Yarn Dye Stripe or Plaid: Yarns are dyed before weaving into a stripe or plaid pattern.