DTY vs FDY
DTY vs FDY yarn: what is the difference?
Reviewed by Mohamed Rizk, Head of Production Engineering, 20+ years at Al Rawda. Last updated
Quick answer
FDY (fully drawn yarn) is smooth, strong and lustrous with little stretch. DTY (drawn textured yarn) is crimped, so it is bulkier, softer and stretchier. Choose FDY for sheer, smooth, shiny fabrics and DTY for soft, full, stretchy ones.
Both are polyester filament yarns, made differently. FDY is spun and fully drawn in one continuous step, so it comes off the line smooth, flat and at full strength. DTY starts as partially oriented yarn (POY), which is then drawn and textured on a texturizing machine that puts permanent crimps into the filaments.
DTY and FDY side by side
FDY
- How it is made:
- Drawn fully, no texturing
- Strength:
- Higher
- Stretch:
- Little
- Look and feel:
- Smooth, flat, lustrous
- Typical use:
- Sheer curtains, satin weaves, linings
DTY
- How it is made:
- Drawn, then textured
- Strength:
- Lower than FDY
- Stretch:
- More
- Look and feel:
- Bulky, soft, warm hand
- Typical use:
- Upholstery, bedding, knitwear, home textiles
| Yarn | How it is made | Strength | Stretch | Look and feel | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDY | Drawn fully, no texturing | Higher | Little | Smooth, flat, lustrous | Sheer curtains, satin weaves, linings |
| DTY | Drawn, then textured | Lower than FDY | More | Bulky, soft, warm hand | Upholstery, bedding, knitwear, home textiles |
Which should I choose?
Start from the fabric. For a sheer, smooth, shiny surface, such as voile curtains, satin or linings, FDY is the usual yarn. For a soft, full, warm or stretchy fabric, such as upholstery, bedding or knitwear, DTY is the usual yarn.
Many fabrics use both: for example, a smooth FDY warp with a bulky DTY weft. Al Rawda makes DTY, so we can advise on the DTY side of the fabric.
Which is stronger, and which stretches more?
FDY is generally the stronger of the two because it is fully drawn, and it does not stretch much, which suits products that must keep their shape. DTY is softer and stretches more because the texture gives the filaments room to move.
Where do POY and ATY fit?
POY is the raw material for DTY, and it is not normally used as it is. FDY does not go through a POY stage. ATY (air-textured yarn) is a third kind: it is textured with air, which makes soft loops and a cotton-like feel.
How do I order DTY?
Give the denier and filament count together, then the intermingling (NIM, SIM or HIM), the lustre, the colour and the quantity. There is no minimum order, and our samples are free.