Textile coating can be defined as the process of depositing a resin over a textile substrate, on one or two sides. Different to the chemical finishing, which consists of the impregnation of the fibres, not only are the yarns coated, but also the spaces in between them. The different characteristics between the substrate and the coating product are combined to produce a new structure that acquires the best properties of each component: fabric and resin.
There are different procedures for the coating of textiles and not all are suitable for all products or substrates.

One of the procedures most used is direct coating, which is based on the application of one or various layers of polyurethane, PVC, acrylic resins, etc. paste, over the textile substrate, using a scraper, knife, cylinder, etc.

Foam coating consists of submerging the textile material in a bath which contains the foam compound using a solution or a watery dispersion and afterwards draining off the excess liquid. A similar process is the coating that is done by foam flattening, which is used for fabrics with an open structure, that cannot be coated by the direct system. The difference between this and the former method is that the solid content in the foam compound is greater, reducing the penetration into the fabric and, in this way, allowing fabrics that are smoother and of a better drape to be made.
To get articles known as "artificial leather", the transfer coating method is used, which consists of the application of one or various layers of a polyurethane paste onto non-stick paper or separator, which is later transferred to the textile substrate.
In calendar coating five or more cylinders are placed in various positions, that with there rotation break and smoothen the coating to obtain a layer with a uniform thickness.