Prior to 1928, virtually all garments were made to order, by tailors or seamstresses. The reason for this was that most fabrics would shrink when laundered. There did not exist any practical industrial way to pre-shrink cloth, so that it could be mass produced into pre-sized garments. During those times, folks simply purchased the cloth of their choice, took it home and washed it. They then took it to a tailor or seamstress to be sewn into a “made to fit” garment. New garments did not have that crisp, new appearance and for most people it was difficult to visualize how a garment made of the cloth they had chosen, would look on their body as a garment. This changed with the invention of the compressive shrinking machine, by Mr. Sanford Lockwood Cluett in 1928. Soon Cluett, Peabody & Co. inc. began licensing the process and the SANFORIZED trademark to textile mills worldwide. Consumers were finally able to purchase “ready to wear” garments, with complete confidence that the garments would not shrink out of fit upon laundering.

Throughout the years since 1928, the best minds within the worldwide textile industry labored intensively to discover a better, less expensive way to pre-shrink cloth. In 1938, Mr. Cluett did just that when he patented the present day rubber belt compressive shrinking machine.  Up to now, the only real improvements made to Mr. Cluett’s rubber belt compressive shrinking machine, have been relatively minor changes to the original design.

With the introduction of various synthetic or man made fibers such as rayon, nylon, polyester, etc. researchers were sure that they had found a way to make the compressive pre-shrinking of cloth obsolete, however this did not happen.

During the late 1950”s and early 1960’s, with the introduction of resin treated fabrics, or “so called” wash and wear finishes, many knowledgeable textile experts predicted the demise of compressively pre-shrunk cloth, which at the time was identified as “SANFORIZED”. Alas, some 50 years later, compressive pre-shrinking of cloth continues to increase at an ever- growing pace. Today, not only 100% cotton fabrics are routinely processed by the compressive shrinking machine, but cloth made from cotton blended with synthetic fibers, cotton treated with resins and even many fabrics containing no cotton at all, are routinely processed through the compressive shrinking machine (sanforizer).

The Cluett rubber belt compressive shrinking machine has turned out to be, not only the best, most precise and least expensive way to pre-shrink cloth, but it is also proven to be an exceptional and inexpensive way to enhance the appearance and hand (feel) of most types of cloth.

The remarkable rubber belt eliminates the stiff feel of the synthetic fibers in the cloth and softens the usually abrasive harsh feel of the resin finished wash and wear fabrics, or permanent press finishes in cloth. The best part is, that it does all of this in an environmentally friendly fashion, without the use of chemicals and without significant added cost. It is estimated that today roughly 50% of all cloth processed through the compressive shrinking machines, is treated exclusively, or in part, to enhance the appearance and/or hand of those fabrics.

Today there are more than 5,000 rubber belt compressive shrinking machines operating throughout the world and as many as 200 new machines are being added annually. The Indian textile industry alone added over 100 new rubber belt shrinking machines last year. DUNLINE is the oldest, most experienced and reputable manufacturer of these rubber belts..

DUNLINE is the preferred rubber belt of quality OEM machine manufacturers and quality conscious cloth producers throughout the world. DUNLINE rubber belts are currently sold and serviced in over 85 countries.

The success of the DUNLINE rubber belt is due, not only to it’s time proven quality, but also to the well known technical service provided by Dunline to customers throughout the world. This value added service provided by qualified multi-lingual staff gives DUNLINE customers confidence to compete in all world markets and to command the best prices for their goods.

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