Full dipping and half dipping differ in how deeply the resin is impregnated, and that difference decides how the cover can be wrapped.
Conceptual diagram · actual depth varies by product
Full Dipping
PU resin is impregnated throughout the fabric, connecting the structure down into the fibre layer.
Half Dipping
PU resin is impregnated mainly at the surface; part of the fibre layer keeps its original structure.
The quality and physical properties of wet-process PU depend on how the resin is impregnated into the fabric. Full dipping and half dipping differ in the depth and distribution of that impregnation.
Resin is impregnated throughout the fabric so that it penetrates into the fibre layer. Connecting the whole structure with PU resin suits an even surface and a stable fabric body.
Resin is impregnated mainly at the surface. Part of the fibre layer keeps its original structure while the surface still carries PU characteristics. It is chosen for hand feel, flexibility and surface texture.
| Full-dip | Half-dip (H) | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Full Dipping | Half Dipping |
| Impregnation | Throughout the fabric | Mainly at the surface |
| Structure | Resin connects into the fibre layer | Part of the fibre layer keeps its structure |
| Character | Even structure, stable surface | Hand feel, flexibility, surface texture |
| With adhesive | Does not absorb the glue the base is impregnated as well | Absorbs the glue the base layer carries no resin |
| Typical use | Machine-cased covers | Albums, hand-made diary covers |
The difference in impregnation depth shows up as whether the material absorbs the glue. That is what decides which one suits your process.
Suits automatic casing-in
Because the non-woven base is impregnated as well, the material does not absorb the glue when a casing-in machine applies it. Adhesion holds.
Not for automatic casing-in
With no resin in the base layer, the material absorbs the glue. It does not suit machine casing-in, but it works without any trouble by hand.
The same colour carries a different code for each method. Quote this code when you order or ask us.
In the product finder, a colour available both ways is shown together as W3E56/H. The surface emboss and colour are the same, so both share one photograph. Some colours come only as full-dip or only as half-dip, so use the Dipping filter to see just the one you need.
Neither is always superior — the choice follows the end use and the process. For albums or diary covers wrapped by hand, half-dip is the more economical choice; for volume production with casing-in machines, full-dip is the one.
Tell us how you wrap and which adhesive you use and we will work through the options with you. If it is hard to judge, you can also request both and compare them yourself.
Manufacturers may define the range of impregnation and the process differently. This page describes the general concept of the two methods; confirm the properties of a specific product with a physical sample and its specification sheet.
