According to the new greek Statistical Coding (ΣΤΑΚΟΔ - 91) that stands since 1993 and complies with the corresponding codings of the European Union, the dyeing and finishing industry belongs to the category 173 "Finishing of Textile Products" that constitutes a subcategory of "Production of Textile Materials" (category 17). Specifically, in the category 173 are included plants that work in the region of bleaching, dyeing, preparation, drying, treatment with steam, shrinkage and mercerizing of textile products.

The dyeing and finishing of threads and fabrics contributes considerably to the improvement of the quality and the amelioration of the appearance of the final products of the textile and clothing industry. The dyeing of the materials can be realised in 3 stages during their processing: before being processed (dyeing on mass) for synthetic materials, when the material is found in the form of fibre or thread and finally when the material has been converted in a textile or finished product. It is supported that as far as quality is concerned, it is better to realise the dyeing on the thread and not on the textile. However, from a commercial point of view it is prefered to make the dyeing on the final textile in order to cover certain weaknesses or imperfections that exist. It is a fact that few quantities are dyed in the stage of thread. The dyeing of threads and textiles is realised in special equipment that use steam for heating and operates under atmospheric or high pressure. The dyeing time, the temperature and the desired colour are controled by automatisms.

The finishing includes all the final processing that is made on a textile product before it is promoted to the market. The finishing processes aim to give to the usually dyed material certain desired attributes or the required final appearance. The finishing includes mechanical and chemical processes. The mechanical processes include washing, wringing, drying, defining dimensions, singeing, shaving, ironing and calandering (ironing in the calander, where the textile is polished, acquires softness in the touch and better uniformity). The chemical processes include mercerizing, sizing, waterproofing, degumming, increasing the weight of silk fibres with metal salts and protecting the textile from fire, from insects (woolen from moths) and from creases.