What is molton?

Molton is a woven fabric that is usually made of 100% cotton and is available in a range of weights. The term molton comes from the French (molleton) and means soft cotton fabric. A typical feature of molton fabric is its fleecy surface, which is created by a complex manufacturing process and has special properties: molton is roughened on both sides.

Molton fabric: mattress topper or stage fabric?

A distinction is made between untreated molleton fabrics and event molleton. The white (non-impregnated) cotton fabric is often used as a soft mattress topper, waterproof incontinence pad or by the catering industry as a table mat (table molton ) for sound insulation, among other things.

In the event and theatre sector,, black molton is mainly used. The fabric is used on stages as a technical fabric due to its roughness. This is how

• stage curtains,
• acoustic curtains,
• stage panelling ,
• an opaque backdrop (stage background)
• and a sound-absorbing ceiling and wall covering made of Molton.

Molton fabrics (100cm and 300cm wide ) are available by the metre, in whole bales or in high stacks . If desired, molton can also be customised to your individual requirements.

Stage molton and decorative molton are flame retardant

In the event sector, a distinction is made between decorative and stage molton. What both qualities have in common is that the fabrics are flame-retardant (impregnated ). They thus meet the strict fire protection requirements for public events, which are regulated in the respective venue regulations. Decorative and stage molton are certified according to DIN 4102 - B1 and EN 13773 -c1.

The grammage and the fabric make all the difference

Both the grammage and the type of fabric distinguish the decorative from the [[GruppeURL:158~stage molton~molton fabric for stages~0]]. The light fabric (decorative molton) is used more for decorations and the heavy molton (stage molton) as a technical fabric.

What is stage molton B1?

Stage molton is a heavy molton fabric, usually with a fabric weight between 300 g and 500 g/m². This molton is woven in a twill weave and is therefore very dense. The molton fabric is opaque and usually impervious to light; stage molton black is lightproof (blackout ). The matt, roughened surface and its heavy weight absorb sound and light to a high degree.

These properties are an advantage in event technology, where the high-quality product can be used in a variety of ways. Stage curtains are sewn from stage molton, but the fabric can also be used for blackout curtains or as an acoustic curtain. The fabric is suitable for all kinds of cladding (e.g. stage and stage covering). Molton can also be mounted in frames as an alternative to projection screens.

Molton absorbs light and sound and reduces reverberation.

Molton dampens background noise in theatres and studios, thereby improving the acoustics for musical performances. Stage molton also absorbs incident light. These are ideal conditions for effective stage lighting. Spectators are not unnecessarily dazzled by reflecting spotlights. As a stage background (backdrop) and theatre curtain, the fabric also provides sufficient opacity to reliably shield backstage areas from unwanted attention .

Stage molton is also customised as a cold protection curtain or to protect against draughts for curtains in entrance areas, e.g. for gastronomy. (Detailed technical properties can be found below)

Stage Molton in special colours: bluebox and greenscreen

Stage Molton is available in bluebox and greenscreen colours for photo, video and TV productions. Molton is used as a professional film and photo background for Chromakey recordings (image cropping).

What is decorative molton B1?

Decorative molton is a light molton fabric with a surface weight of around 150 to 160g/m². This molton is usually woven in a plain weave and is therefore neither opaque nor light-proof . As a flame-retardant fabric, decorative molton is suitable for decorations or for light installations with a lot of effects. The flame-retardant impregnation makes the fabric suitable for stage design, as a material for event or shop window decoration, and as a translucent covering for creative light art. Decorative molton can also be used as a low-cost and fire-resistant photo background. Its matt surface does not reflect light. But be careful: this molton is not suitable for improving the acoustics in a rehearsal room or studio or for screening off areas to make them opaque.

How is molton made?

The production of molton requires a great deal of expertise and a complex manufacturing process. Decorative molton is woven in a plain weave and stage molton in a twill weave. The weave (warp/weft) makes the fabric a durable material with high strength. For stage molton, the fabric settings (yarn per 1g) of 14.5 NM are used for the warp and weft threads. For decorative molton, the fabric settings are usually 14.5 NM and 13.5/14 NM. The higher the setting, the finer the yarn and the denser the molton fabric.

In further processing steps, molton (decorative and stage molton) is roughened several times on both sides. This is what ultimately gives it its fluffy, soft feel. The roughened surface maximises the absorption area of the fabric, so that molton can absorb more light and sound than other B1 fabrics. During production, molton undergoes further finishing processes such as washing, drying, dyeing in different colours, impregnation and, depending on the desired length, folding into bales(doubled ) or onhigh piles .

The last step in the manufacturing process, which is particularly interesting for stage requirements and theatre equipment, is the flame-retardant impregnation of molton (foulard finishing). The safe flame-retardant impregnation on molton has all the relevant European certificates (DIN 4102 - B1 and EN 13773 -c1 ) for fire protection.

Incidentally, some people with allergies experience problems with the impregnation during molton processing and react with skin rashes.

What do warp and weft mean?

Warp Weft is the name of a type of fabric. The various threads are called warp or warp threads (threads in the longitudinal direction), the threads in the transverse direction are called weft or weft threads. The threads are connected by a thread crossing. The individual yarn is stretched in a certain rhythm over and under the transverse threads. The denser the warp and weft threads are woven, the denser the finished molleton fabric. Together, both threads form a so-called weave (twill weave, plain weave, satin weave). The characteristic of a fabric is characterised by the thread density. These are specified separately in threads per cm for warp and weft.

Molton colours

The standard Molton colours black, red and white used in stage construction are by no means the only ones available. Specialist retailers offer a wide range of colours for Molton fabrics. Samples of the fabric can usually be sent free of charge. If you want to buy large quantities of Molton fabric, it is important to know that Molton is a dyed fabric. There is a possibility that the colours of individual batches may differ slightly.

Is Molton washable?

Untreated molleton fabrics are washable and can be boiled at 90°C (mattress protectors/flannel cloths). The situation is different for stage fabrics: stage molton and decorative molton are impregnated with a flame retardant, i.e. the fire retardants do not migrate into the fabric. Thus, the fabric is not permanently flame retardant. Molton loses this impregnation through washing or cleaning, damp storage conditions or at temperatures above 30°C. Likewise, strong mechanical stress, such as the constant opening and closing of a curtain, counteracts the flame protection. Stage fabrics can regain their flame retardancy at any time by being treated with special fire protection sprays or by immersion in flame retardants ( according to DIN 4102).

By the way: to get a crease-free molleton fabric after a long storage period, it should be allowed to hang out in place. Ironing at over 30°C endangers the flame retardancy!

Satin molton, Trevira and table molton

In addition to the classic 100% cotton stage and decorative molton, the trade also offers satin molton and Trevira (stage fabrics), Kalmuck and table molton.

Satin molton

Satin molton is a cotton fabric (approx. 300g) woven using satin weave. This weave gives satin molton its lustre. This fabric is then roughened on one side only. The result: a fabric with a satin lustre on one side, which also has the positive properties of a molton fabric (sound and light absorption) on the other side due to the roughening.

Trevira

Trevira CS is not a cotton fabric. Trevira is a polyester fabric and also has a weight of around 300g/m². This fabric cannot be described as a technical fabric, it is not roughened and is therefore limited in terms of possible uses. Due to the smooth surface, it absorbs sound only slightly. The polyester fabric is permanently flame retardant. Trevira can therefore be washed, which qualifies it for use on stages and at events.

table molton

Table molton is used by the catering industry as a table mat for a number of reasons. The table linen appears more voluminous and does not slip. The molton protects the furniture from scratches and the dishes from breaking. Because the dishes can be placed on it without a noise, table molton also helps to insulate against sound. A distinction is made between untreated cotton table molton and polyester table molton (waterproof, foamed table mats).

What is Kalmuck?

Kalmuck is an alternative to Molton and is very similar to the material. Kalmuck is also a dense, double-napped cotton fabric made in a twill weave. It is made with a bulky yarn and has a fabric weight of approx. 400 to 800 grams per linear metre. Due to its high weight, Kalmuck is often used to make soundproof curtains.

Molton: properties and uses

Technical properties in detail:

• Molton can absorb sound
  
  

The sound-absorbing property contributes to good acoustics in rooms. Molton absorbs sound and reduces reverberation. As a wall covering or curtain, Molton absorbs background noise and thus ensures a muted soundscape. As a rule of thumb, the heavier the fabric quality or the higher the fabric consumption, the larger the absorption area.

Difference between sound insulation and sound absorption: Effective sound insulation requires structural measures in a room. Strictly speaking, insulation is the acoustic separation of rooms from one another. Molton, on the other hand, is ideal for sound absorption. In terms of acoustics, stage molton, for example as a sound-absorbing curtain, absorbs particularly the high and medium-frequency sound ranges.

• Molton has light-absorbing properties
  
  

The rough surface gives the material a matt finish that reflects neither stage spotlights nor flashlights. The reflection-free, light-absorbing surface offers ideal conditions for professional lighting and high-quality shots in the photo studio.

• Stage Molton is opaque
  
  

Heavy molton fabrics are tightly woven. The opaque stage molton can reliably protect sensitive areas from unwanted attention. Molton is often used as a ceiling and wall covering, curtain, backdrop, podium and stage covering. Stage molton can also be used to darken rooms reliably. Black stage molton is light-tight. Depending on the colour, a heavy molton fabric can achieve a darkening effect of up to 95%, which of course depends on the strength of the light source.

Molton fabrics are also often used as sound-absorbing curtains or as draught excluders in the entrance areas of restaurants, nightclubs or event venues.

Incidentally, the non-opaque and 140g or 160g lightweight decorative molton is not a technical fabric. It is used as a flame-retardant decorative fabric for all kinds of decorations and for building sets on stages, as well as a cost-effective molton background fabric.

Molton is available by the metre or in ready-made sizes.

Molton is available in bales (rolls), in high piles, by the metre or customised to your specifications. Molton by the metre is usually only available in certain lengths (measured in running metres).

How should Molton be hung?

Depending on whether molton was purchased customised (hem, eyelets, etc.) or unhemmed by the metre or in bales, there are various accessories for mounting it.

If Molton eyelets are present, bungee cords, tie straps or hooks are best for attaching it. The advantage of bungee cords is that the Molton can be tensioned without wrinkles. For curtains that are supposed to have a predetermined fold, you can sew on a ruffling tape (pleat tape). A molton curtain can also be attached using a Velcro tape .

Molton can also be glued for temporary mounting. Whether hemmed or unhemmed, the fabric can be attached with cloth tape depending on its weight and size. High-quality gaffa tape or adhesive textile tape is ideal for this. If you want to attach molton to the wall or use it to stretch a frame, the fabric can also be stapled.

Cut or tear Molton?

Molton does not necessarily have to be hemmed, the fabric does not fray. Molton can be cut, but it can also be torn without any problems.

Sewing molton

Alternatively, you can buy ready-made molton, as a photo background, as a curtain, stage covering, etc. The standard finishes are:

• Molton with a simple hem or hollow hem
• Molton with firmly sewn folds (single or multiple)
• Molton eyelets and reinforced with webbing

Would you like to order Molton? You can buy Molton here.