Denim Finishing

Laser Denim Fading Energy & Tensile Loss Predictor

The energy that takes the indigo off also takes the strength out. Fading intensity is really a tensile budget.

Laser Settings Scanner
W
mm/s
mm
no.
Fabric Strength
N
N
%

Fit on your own fabric and laser; it is construction-specific.

Surface Energy Density

— J/cm²

Delivered to the fabric across all passes

Strength Budget

Tensile Loss
— %
Tensile After Lasing
— N
Margin Over Minimum
— N
Energy Budget to Minimum
— J/cm²
Passes Available
— no.

A linear loss coefficient holds over the shallow ablation range used for fading; pushed to heavy destruction the relationship steepens sharply and the fabric fails well before this predicts. The coefficient is specific to fabric weight, weave and laser wavelength — measure it, and re-measure it when the construction changes.

Laser Denim Fading Energy & Tensile Loss Predictor — free, with the formula and a worked example, at Textile School.