Being experts means being able to play with a multitude of parameters and technologies

Our partners work with us because we are experts. We master the meticulous art of developing medical garments and textiles. In order for us to create high performance garments and textiles for a highly regulated, hypercompetitive and very demanding industry which create real value for our partners and gives them a sustainable competitive advantage in their space we need to be able to listen to our partners - their needs, their market idiosyncrasies and their concerns. After understanding our partners we help them, by showing them why we are experts in medical garment and textiles.

Garment and textile solutions customised for our customers product portfolios

At Tytex we create garments and textiles which 100% addresses our partners' reality. We do this by employing our deep insight in and experience with garment and textile development and manufacturing as well as our expertise in the medical industry. To make a specific garment we evaluate the various properties of the garment — need for compression, support, fixation, need for moisture absorption, the elasticity required, the use situation for the product, the clinical indication for the garment and many other variables. After having mapped out the qualities needed as well as the price point to aim for and all other relevant variables we start to evaluate which raw materials we need in the garment, which special treatments to utilize and which overall technologies to apply when manufacturing the garment. These considerations are crucially important in order to make garments and textiles customised to our partners as well as the end users they cater to realities.

Below you can learn more about these processes and our technologies.

The principle of weft knitting

Weft knitting is an intricate procedure of converting yarns into a fabric. When applying this method loops are created in horizontal way from yarns. The intermeshing of loops takes place in a circular or flat form on a crosswise basis. The tread is fed at a right-angle in the direction the fabric is formed. Each course builds upon the previous knitted course. Most of the weft knitting is of tubular form. Seamless weft knitting technology uses efficient seamless machines to produce a complete garment with minimal or no cutting and sewing processes.

At Tytex we use this technology for a wide range of products such as pre natal and nursing bras, panties, pre natal support belts, hip protection products, ostomy care products and continence care panties. Although, all textile technologies come with benefits and drawbacks we have, at Tytex, chosen to focus on weft-knitted tubes, as the primary technology for our compression and support garments. Why? Let us elaborate.

Benefits of using this technology

Besides the fact that the weft-knitted technology offer excellent properties in regards to reducing risk of infection and the fact that it is possible to produce at scale at competitive price points this technology also allow us to produce seamless body-fitted garments with targeted and controlled support and compression. And this is really what we want to achieve. 

Circular knitting also allow us to make 100% seamless knitting in critical areas of the body — e.g. after surgery. This again can results in faster healing, less scarring and more patient comfort. The absence of hard seams also reduces the risk of general irritation to both the patient and the surgical area.

Another beneficial effect achieved by the weft-knitting technology in regards to maximising patient well-being as well as optimising the healing and scaring process is by providing targeted compression and support exactly where needed and otherwise not strain the patient.

Furthermore, the compression and support zones on e.g. the sides and the back of a bra can serve as support as well as posture correction and reduce post-surgical neck, shoulder and back pain without compromising mobility. 

Lastly, a crucial aspect in regards to medical garments and textiles development and manufacturing is addressing the stretch qualities of the garments. When a garment is able to stretch, the user feels comfortable and the body is both able to move freely as well as remain immobile during prolonged wear. 

When you choose medical garments from Tytex for your brand you are guaranteed that the needs of the user are deeply integrated in your garments and are at the center of your brand promise.

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The principle of warp knitting

Warp knitting can be a highly cost-effective and offer an efficient process of producing garments from yarns. This difference from weft knitting is that with warp knitting each needle will loop on its own thread and run vertically down the fabric. Garments made using the warp knitting technology have the knit stitches on the face of the fabric but with a horizontal zigzag pattern on the back. The zigzag runs along the length of the fabric following wales of knitting.

Warp knitted products are used for versatile and flexible textiles and garments. The end product has texture and is used for a wide range of technical textile applications. 

At Tytex we use this technology to manufacture continence pants, support bandages — tubes, finger, head, frontlet head, leg bags, leg fixations and bras.

Benefits of using this technology

Warp knitted fabrics can offer great dimensional stability and are not likely to sag or ravel easy. Another great quality of the warp knitting technology is that is able to generate fabrics in many diverse textures and designs. Because when applying the weft knitting technology it is possible to use a great variety of yarn types and thereby getting results which can range from tight-spun to smooth as well as lightweight to heavy. It is also possible to make complex embroidery to rough textures. Usually the end product will display minimal stretch qualities and maintain the original shape well.

The garments and textiles we make by warp knitting are highly breathable and without seams at the starting point. Another positive aspect is that our garments in this category are usually complete when leaving the knitting department and require no post manufacturing treatment. 

From a cost point of view garment and textiles made from warp knitting a great for large scale production. The cost of starting up production is relatively high but once a production run is initiated the cost per unit is low. 

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The principle of cut and sew

Cut and sew is a great place to start when making your custom garment. With Tytex it is not either a cut and sew or knitted solution. Our starting point is the needs of the customer. What are the specifications of the garment we are going to make and what is the clinical indication the garment is meant to address? What price point are we going to target and how many pieces are going to be produced?

Once the overall purpose of the garment is established we start the research, development and design phase.

Benefits of using this technology

By way of combining cut and sew with knitting it is possible to create unique clothing both leveraging the performance capabilities of knitted garments with special features such as pockets as well as breathing, stretch and shaping zones. Pattern, printing and grading is also possible to combine with the cut and sew technology and this can help to maximize the aesthetics of a garment as well as the overall durability at relatively low costs.  

Cut and sew is therefore a relatively cost effective technology which can – when applied to parts of or the entire garment – bring the price point down. However, this technology is best applied at large quantity orders. Also, the technical feel of cut and sew can add a high-quality finish that both looks and performs great. By using what is called sublimation with cut and sew it is possible to make prints before the garment is assembled. This process is a bit more costly yet the results can be

nothing but astounding and transform a garment to a very special solution for a very unique challenge. And the final product can become far superior by eliminating many of the limitations such as blurring and creasing of other garments. When using cut and sew it is also possible to make piping, binding, flat felled seams, invisible zippers and grommets further increasing the both the aesthetics and functionality of the garment.

At Tytex we make garments from scratch and we use cut and sew elements to create fully custom clothing, allowing for maximum freedom in regards to alterations in garment fit, colour and style.

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Material composition - selecting the right materials for the specific garment

Textiles are specific types of materials characterised by a unique combination of properties including strength, flexibility, elasticity, softness, durability, heat insulation, water absorbency or repellence, dyeability and resistance to chemicals to name just a few.

With Customised by Tytex we can make garments and textiles from almost any customer specification and need. We have a wide variety of suppliers to choose from and can manufacture both from manmade – e.g. polyester, elastane, polyamide, propylene, tencel, microfiber and micro modal – and natural fibers like silk, wool, cotton, flax and bamboo. We always perform a thorough check of our suppliers before initiating a partnership to ensure due diligence, supply chain stability and optimal quality levels. 

Benefits of working with various materials

Working with a multitude of textile fibers gives great flexibility in regards to fulfilling the customers' needs and wishes. Price is often an important parameter in relation to creating the right solution. By way of mixing various fibers in the fabric it is possible to manipulate the price points for the end product. Moreover, when working with many different kinds of fibers it is also possible to build strength where needed, to build moisture absorption where wanted and to optimise for breathability and comfort.  

When making a garment we always base our decisions on which material to use on factors such as the price point, use situation, medical indication and market. Polyester is a fairly cheap material. Moreover, polyester fibers have high strength, low water absorption properties and minimal shrinkage compared to other industrial fibers. 

However, not everybody likes the feel of polyester directly on the body. For all these reasons combined with other considerations polyester could be a decent choice of main material for a two-piece fixation pant produced at scale for industrial purposes to be used at hospitals. Another garment – like a high performance ostomy belt – could be made of a mix of polyamide and elastane. The polyamide gives the garments durability and strength where as the elastane gives the garment incredible elasticity.  

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Applied accessories

Adding functionality and comfort to a garment or textile can - as stated above - be done in a great deal of ways. Another way of doing it is by integrating various accessories into the garment. 

Zippers, hooks & eyes, hooks & loops, magnets, puffs and pads can all offer added value to the user – both in terms of functionality, cost optimisation and aesthetics. When developing high performance garments and textiles for the medical industry, it is paramount to be able to offer support where needed, compression when required as well as fixation and absorb capabilities if the medical indication calls for it. Moreover, it is important that we also develop garments which looks great and can be retailed at affordable price points. 

At Tytex we have the ability to integrate a multitude of accessories to a wide variety of solutions and designs. All solutions and designs will be based on expert knowledge and deep insight into user needs and medical indications and we look forward to finding, designing and manufacturing the optimal solution for your medical garment portfolio.

Benefits of working with accessories

Laces and straps both ads functionality as well as personality to a garment. At Tytex we use straps both for the sake of adding enhanced control of the positioning of the garment on the body as well as expanding the possibilities of the support. Straps are also a key factor when wanting to reduce the number of sizes and thereby the number of SKU's ultimately giving the user optimal fit at lowest possible price. Laces can also serve a dual purpose. They can both enhance the aesthetics of a given garment but can also act as a natural transition between zones of the garment and they can also offer breathability and stretch functionality. Zippers, hook & eyes or hook & loops are also great appendages which can enhance both the flexibility and the lift qualities of the garment. They also serve as decoration significantly augmenting the aesthetics of a garment. 

Making the choice between which solution to apply is always based on a multitude of variables. The prices points to aim for are always a factor. However, more often than not the most important factor is the clinical indication. Does the clinical indication demand that certain areas of the body need to be easily to accessible?

Is the clinical indication primarily prevalent within certain populations or do the people who the garment is intended for usually have sequelae like low dexterity or dizziness. Applying magnets can be a solution which is easier to use for people with reduced dexterity. But other aspects needs to be considered here – e.g. the impact on price point or whether the user needs regular X-rays as a garment with metal parts cannot be worn during X-rays. Puffs or pads are also accessories often applied for aesthetic reasons. Puffs can help to enhance the self-image after reconstructive surgery and pads can assist in covering delicate areas of the body.

No matter what you are considering in relation to distinguishing your garments and servicing your end users optimally we are here to help you. Please let us know if you want our help with creating exceptional medical garments and textiles. 

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Special treatments

Another way of creating truly unique and stand out garments and textiles is by adding additional properties by way of special treatments. This can be by adding chemicals and softeners to the fabric in order to foster unique looks, colours, hand feels or to integrate a special quality to a garment - e.g. for increasing absorbency, elasticity and stretch or to reduce the risk of creasing and slacking or to improve the ability of the garment to withstand distinct external influences. 

At Tytex we have made a plethora of truly unique garments by applying special treatments to a garment or textile both at yarn and at finish.

Please let us know if you are face with a unique garment and textile challenge. We are here to help you and we always find a viable solution. 

Considerations when working with special treatments

Different textiles and fabrics have different a variety of various properties. In order to best advice and come up with solutions which address the specifications of our customers we also have to be able to sometimes either manipulate the colour of a garment or change alter the innate characteristics of a fabric in order to optimise comfort or live up to the expectations of the customer in regards to colouring or durability. Dyeing can be done in different ways and chemicals and coatings can be applied in different quantities. At Tytex we a aware of the fact that not all treatments are particularly sustainable and some can even be toxic. For us it is imperative – in order to give our customers an optimal experience – that we know about the many different possibilities which exist. Our dialogue with our customers will then become as nuanced as possible and will make us able to come up with the best possible solution – both for the environment, for our customers and ultimately for the end users.

We either buy yarns and fabrics with special treatments from our suppliers or treat them ourselves at our two modern production facilities – for instances in the case of bleaching and piece-dying. When sourcing from suppliers a thorough Supplier Vetting Process is undertaken. Our code of conduct – stipulating terms in regards to human rights, labour standards, environmental standards, anti-corruption, monitoring and evaluations – must be agreed upon and we also demand that all suppliers are Oeko-Tex certified.

At our production facilities we adhere to meticulous standards of the European Union and we are also ISO-certified according to ISO 9001, ISO 13485 and ISO 14001 and off course we are also Oeko-Tex certified.
 

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