Difference between Tex and Tkt. in Thread Numbering

Thread numbering

Sewing threads are the basic component in the sewn product industry such as apparel, home textiles, cap, and shoe manufacturing. The thickness of sewing threads is defined by Tex. or Tkt. (Ticket). And these two thread numbering terms are widely used.  Mostly polyester threads are used in sewing garment items. The same thickness of thread will have two different numbers in these two systems. 
To reduce the confusion between Tex and Tkt. size, thread manufacturers marked both numbering systems on the yarn spool (thread cones).

The definition and how to convert thread number/size from Tex to Tkt are explained below.

Tex Numbering 

TEX is a metric system of textile yarn and thread numbering. Tex is defined as the weight of 1000 meters of thread in grams.

For example, Tex 40 – A length of 1000 meters of thread will give 40 grams of weight.

Ticket (Tkt.) Numbering

Ticket numbering is a commercial numbering system. Ticket numbers are merely the manufacturer’s reference numbers for the size of a given thread. The Metric Count and Cotton Count systems use a ticket numbering system to give an easy approximation of the specific size of the finished thread.

In the Metric Ticket system, the figure quoted for thread size is the length that would weigh 3 grams. The thread could be made from a single yarn or multiple yarn.

For example, a thread of Tex 40 is Tkt. 75 and Nm 80/2 is Tkt. 120

How to convert Tex to Tkt.?

The formula used to convert Tex into Tkt

Tkt. = (1000/Tex No.) X 3 or

Tkt. = Nm X 3

Cotton Tkt. 

For cotton sewing thread Cotton TKT number is used and in the Cotton Tkt system, it is the number of 840-yard hanks that weigh 3 lbs.

A ticket number in one type of thread will not be the same as in another. For example, Ticket 40 Cotton is not the same as Ticket 40 Core spun thread.

Note: Ticket numbers resemble the fixed weight system. They can simply denote as following.

The higher the ticket number finer the thread. 
The lower the ticket number, the thicker the thread. 
A thread of Tkt. 60 is twice as coarse as Tkt. 120.

Article source:
Technology of clothing Manufacture by Carr and Latham
www.coatsindustrial.com

Related Articles: How to calculate thread consumption for garments?

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Updated on: 15 Dec 2022 

Prasanta Sarkar

Prasanta Sarkar is a textile engineer and a postgraduate in fashion technology from NIFT, New Delhi, India. He loves writing how-to guide articles in the fashion industry niche. He has visited garment factories in many countries and implemented process improvement projects in numerous garment units in different continents including Asia, Europe, and South Africa.

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