Tricot mattress fabric: what it is and where it works best
Tricot is the smooth, printed fabric used on a large share of mattresses, from tops on value lines to borders and bottoms on premium ones. Here is what it is and how to buy it well.
How tricot is made
Tricot is a warp-knitted fabric. Hundreds of polyester yarns are first wound side by side onto large warp beams. The warp knitting machine then forms loops along the length of the fabric from all of these yarns at once. The result is a thin, smooth and stable fabric with a fine face, quite different from the thicker, stretchier fabric that comes off a circular knitting machine.
The fabric that comes off the machine is called greige. It is then scoured, dyed to the ground colour and printed. Mattress tricot is usually 100% polyester.
Strengths
- Print freedom. The smooth face takes printed designs sharply, so almost any pattern and colour combination is possible.
- Cost. Fast warp knitting and printing make tricot one of the most cost-effective mattress fabrics.
- Stable and durable. Warp-knitted polyester holds its shape and stands up well to handling in cutting and sewing.
- Special effects. Gold-foil stamping adds a metallic accent, and a brushed finish gives a soft, peach-skin touch.
Limits to keep in mind
Tricot is thinner and has less stretch and loft than a double-jersey knit, so it gives a flatter look on a quilted panel. Many makers use knitted jacquard on the sleep surface and matching tricot on borders and bottoms to balance look and cost.
Where it is used
- Tops of value and mid-range mattresses
- Borders and bottom panels, often matched to a knitted top
- Mattress protectors, toppers and bases
What to put in your specification
- Design number, or the artwork you want printed
- Ground colour and print colours
- Plain or brushed finish, and any gold-foil effect
- Weight, width and roll length
Tricot at Evonowa
We knit our own tricot greige on 6+ complete lines with a capacity of around 540,000 metres a day, then dye, print and finish it in our own plant. See our tricot mattress fabric designs, or send us your artwork.