Low-Wick Yarn Technology

Let's talk about something every marquee professional has dealt with: moisture damage. Specifically, the mould growth and staining that occurs when water penetrates fabric and takes up permanent residence.

If you've been in the marquee business for any length of time, you've seen it. The telltale staining. The musty smell. The gradual decline of a perfectly good cover because water found its way in and spread throughout the fabric structure.

The problem is capillary action. Water travels along fabric fibres, and once it gets in (especially at cut edges and seams), it spreads. Where moisture spreads, mould follows.

Standard marquee fabrics are treated on the surface. This works well initially, but the treatment degrades when the fabric bends, folds, or gets washed. You're essentially managing symptoms rather than preventing the root cause.

The real vulnerability lies at the edges. Cut a conventional fabric and you've essentially opened the door and invited moisture in for tea. Those exposed fibres act like drinking straws, pulling water into the fabric structure, which is not ideal.

Here's where things get interesting. What if, instead of coating the outside and hoping for the best, you treated the yarn itself before weaving?

Artec 651 does exactly this. Each polyester filament gets a hydrophobic treatment before it becomes fabric, preventing the problem at source rather than managing the symptoms.

Step one: Coat each filament with water-repellent primer before weaving. This stops capillary action before it starts.

Step two: Weave it tightly and seal everything with PVC paste.

Step three: Apply double-sided acrylic lacquer for a smooth finish and extra durability.

The result: A fabric that resists moisture even at cut edges. Even after repeated folding, bending, and cleaning. Even after the unpredictability of the British weather, which is really saying something.

Less mould growth. An obvious benefit, often overlooked until you're dealing with the visible stains and musty smell.

Reduced staining. Your marquees stay looking professional instead of gradually resembling something from a Victorian ghost story.

Extended lifespan. When fabric isn't slowly rotting from within, it tends to last longer.

Consistent performance after cleaning. Unlike surface treatments that wash away with alarming enthusiasm, low-wick properties stay put.

Fewer replacement costs. Which means better ROI and less awkward conversations about the budget.

If you're running a hire fleet or manufacturing marquees for clients who expect them to last more than one season, low-wick yarn isn't a luxury feature. It's basic common requirement.

Your marquees will face rain. They'll face humidity. They'll face whatever the British climate throws at them, which is normally quite a lot. The question is, can you afford not to make the switch to low-wick fabric?

Put Artec 651's low-wick construction to the test. It’s the dependable solution that lets you focus on your actual business instead of managing preventable fabric failures. Artec 651 is manufactured by Endutex in Portugal, it’s stocked in the UK and available for next day delivery. Get in touch and ask for a sample.