Modifications in textile properties of polyester because of laser irradiation were studied. Properties included fabric weight, fiber diameter, tensile strength and elongation, yarn abrasion, bending, surface luster, wetting, air permeability as well as crystallinity. Some properties were affected significantly while others were found unchanged. Besides, some properties were positively affected and some were adversely changed. Generally speaking, laser irradiation could not affect the bulk property of polymer because of its low penetration depth, and hence, the effect of the laser irradiation on the bulk and structural properties was limited. However, the performance and comfort properties of the laser irradiated polyester could be largely affected by laser irradiation as these properties could have been changed considerably if the surface was modified. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.