Sparkk

How can I contact Sparkk?

We would love to hear from you! You can see our contact details by clicking the ‘contact’ button on the top navigation bar.

Where can I buy Sparkk fabrics?

Sparkk fabrics can be purchased online through our website or through selected interior designers, retailers and drapery/furniture manufacturers in Australia and New Zealand. We recommend using one of these furnishing professionals as they will be able to provide you with a wealth of advice and guidance and ensure your Sparkk fabric is made up into a high quality finished product. Please contact us if you need further information about where you can see and buy our fabrics.

What can I do on this website?

You can use this website to find out about us, what we do and how to contact us, browse through our fabric collections, register to process your orders as well as invite us to stay in touch with you if you wish, order memo samples, order fabrics, obtain test results and care information about our fabrics.

Can I choose my own colours?

You are able to create your own personal versions of our many of our designs, by replacing any of the colours in any of the Sparkk colour palettes (currently we have just one palette, Summer in the City) in our designs that are suitable for this at no additional cost. While you can see the colours in our palette online, these may not be accurate due to differences in how different monitors represent colour. Colour palettes printed on Fritz or Mara are may be ordered by contacting us by email or e. Please contact us by email or telephone if you do wish to change the colours in an existing design or if you wish to order a colour palette printed on Fritz and Mara. We recommend that you order a printed memo sample of your colour choices before committing to your fabric order.

We are unable to offer this service where our designs have been produced "photographically" and millions of colours remain in the image. We are able to change colours in photographic prints, but this incurs additional cost.  Please contact us for further information.

We also are able to closely match to Pantone or other colour references. Please contact us for a quote for this service. (Also please see Terms and Conditions of Sale - Custom Orders)

Do you do custom design?

We do offer a custom design service. However, it is important to note that we will not copy other designs without written permission from the copyright holder. Please contact us for further information and a quote for this service. (Please refer to Terms and Conditions of Sale - Custom Orders)

Who are trade customers?

Trade customers are bona fide interior design or soft furnishing retail/workroom/manufacturing businesses who use fabrics in their products or design projects and/or resell to retail customers. If you would like to use Sparkk fabrics in your business, please contact us, or complete the online registration form. We will be able to give you more information once we have verified your trade status.

What is your commitment to sustainability?

We strive to follow principles of sustainability in all our company activities.

• We manufacture locally
• We print to demand which means we do not produce excess fabrics that we may not be able to sell thus reducing potential waste.
• Most of our print chemistries are water-soluble and there is minimal waste produced
• The paper by-product of our manufacturing process is recycled
• We have chosen polyester as our primary textile substrate because of its high durability and colourfastness. Polyester’s ecological impact compares favourably with natural fibres such as cotton, wool and linen when their high demands for water, pesticides and arable land are considered.
• We transport our basecloths to Australia by ship
• We are committed to employing environmental and energy conservation practices in our company wherever possible.
• We regularly research latest developments in sustainable textile production practices to ensure we are informed and using all available processes to reduce the environmental impact of our production and products.

What basecloths do you have?

We currently have 2 types of basecloth; Mara and Fritz.

MARA Mara is a crisp white basecloth with a light linen-like handle which is suitable for drapery use. Colours on this cloth are clear and clean and provide a pure white background for our designs. Mara is fully washable and drycleanable. Composition: 100% Polyester Width: 137 cm/54 inches (printed width) Quality standards: Prints on our Mara basecloth have been independently tested and meet industry standards for the following recommended uses: Drapery Heavy Duty Commercial Upholstery Recommended end use: Residential and commercial upholstery Roman blinds Curtains Cushions Bedspreads

FRITZ Fritz is our high performance basecloth which is suitable for both upholstery and drapery use. Its high durability makes it especially suitable for high-use areas in the home and general commercial use, and it is fully washable and drycleanable (see care instructions). Fritz provides a natural–coloured background for our designs and has the look and feel of a textured linen fabric. Composition: 92% Polyester; 8% Linen Width: 137 cm/54 inches (printed width) Quality standards: Prints on our Fritz basecloth have been independently tested and meet industry standards for the following recommended uses: Heavy Duty Domestic Upholstery, Medium Duty Commercial Upholstery  Recommended end use: Residential and commercial upholstery Roman blinds Curtains Cushions Bedspreads

Are your fabrics quality tested?

Quality is of the utmost importance to us at Sparkk. Prints on our basecloth qualities have been independently tested by an accredited laboratory.  Where applicable, fabrics are rated according to the following AS 2687 - 1997 performance and colourfastness classifications for woven fabrics

Class 1  Delicate.
Class 2  Domestic Light Duty
Class 3  Domestic Medium Duty/Commercial Light Duty
Class 4  Domestic Heavy Duty/Commercial Medium Duty
Class 5  Commercial Heavy Duty

The following are the reported results for our Fritz quality

Abrasion Resistance:	Test Standard AS 2001.2.30 - 1994 Wyzenbeek method 27,000 double rubs (print) >50,000 double rubs (cloth) Test Standard AS 2001.2.25.2 – 2006 Martindale method 20,000 rubs – (print - dark shades)  (AS 2687 - 1997 Class 4) 35,000 rubs – (print - pale/medium shades) (AS 2687 - 1997 Class 5) >50,000 rubs – (cloth)
Colourfastness to Crocking:	Test Standard AS 2001.4.3 – 1995 Wet 4 Dry 4-5 (dark colours) (AS 2687 - 1997 Class 3) Wet 4-5 Dry 5 (pale/medium colours) (AS 2687 - 1997 Class 4)
Pilling Resistance:	Test Standard IWS 196-1996 Martindale method Rating 4-5 (AS 2687 - 1997 Class 5)
Seam slippage:	Test Standard AS 2001.2.22-2006.  Rating: 5.5 mm length, 5.0 mm width at 180N Max 3.5 mm length, 3.0 mm width at 2.5N (AS 2687 - 1997 Class 5
Colourfastness to light:	Test Standard ISO-BO2-1994 Colourfastness ratings vary according to the proportion of CMYK colours used in individual colours Rating: 5 – (6-7) (Range across CMYK colours) (AS 2687 - 1997 Class 5)
Colourfastness to washing:	Test Standard AS 2001.4.15-2006 Rating: 5 (AS 2687 - 1997 Class 5)
Colourfastness to drycleaning:	Test Standard AS 2001.4.16. Solvent Perchloroethylene Colourfastness ratings vary according to the proportion of CMYK colours used in individual colours Rating: 4 - (4-5) (Range across CMYK colours) (AS 2687 - 1997 Class 5)
Colourfastness to Bleach:	Test Standard AS 2001.4.11-1982. Bleach Sodium Hypochlorite Rating: 4-5 (For all CMYK colours)
Colourfastness to chlorinated swimming pool water	Test Standard AS 2001.4.5-1998 Colourfastness ratings vary according to the proportion of CMYK colours used in individual colours Rating: Range (4-5) – 5 (Range across CMYK colours)

The following are the reported results for our Mara quality

Abrasion Resistance:	Test Standard AS 2001.2.25.2 – 2006 Martindale method 54,000 cycles (print) 74,500 cycles (cloth) (AS 2687 - 1997 Class 5)
Colourfastness to Crocking:	Test Standard AS 2001.4.3 – 1995 Dry 4-5 Wet 4-5 (AS 2687 - 1997 Class 5)
Pilling Resistance:	Test Standard IWS 196-1996 Martindale method Rating 2 (Does not meet requirements for AS 2687 - 1997)*
Seam slippage:	Test Standard AS 2001.2.22-2006.  5.5 mm length, 5.0 mm width at 180N Max 3.5 mm length, 3.0 mm width at 2.5N (AS 2687 - 1997 Class 5)
Colourfastness to light:	Test Standard ISO-BO2-1994 Colourfastness ratings vary according to the proportion of CMYK colours used in individual colours Rating: 5 – (6-7) (Range across CMYK colours) (AS 2687 - 1997 Class 5)
Colourfastness to washing:	Test Standard AS 2001.4.15-2006 Rating: 5 (AS 2687 - 1997 Class 5)
Colourfastness to drycleaning:	Test Standard AS 2001.4.16. Solvent Perchloroethylene Colourfastness ratings vary according to the proportion of CMYK colours used in individual colours Rating: 4 - (4-5) (Range across CMYK colours) (AS 2687 - 1997 Class 5)
Colourfastness to Bleach:	Test Standard AS 2001.4.11-1982. Bleach Sodium Hypochlorite Rating: 4-5 (For all CMYK colours)
Colourfastness to chlorinated swimming pool water	Test Standard AS 2001.4.5-1998 Colourfastness ratings vary according to the proportion of CMYK colours used in individual colours Rating: Range (4-5) – 5 (Range across CMYK colours)
Mildew growth & odour	Test Standard GMH:HN 2034-2005 Satisfactory. No visible growth of mildew Odour rating 10. No odour
Fire Hazard Properties	Test Standard AS 1530.3-1999 Ignitability  8   Spread of flame index  0 Heat evolved index   1 Smoke developed index   4 Satisfies C1.10 of the General Requirements of the Building Code of Australia (2010) for fire hazard properties of materials in Class 2 to 9 buildings. Not suitable for use in fire isolated exits of buildings.

What do the results mean?

There are a number of different methods used to test the performance characteristics of fabrics. These tend to vary by country and by industry sector. Sparkk tests mostly to Australian Standards (mainly AS2001 and AS2687) which are commonly used in Australia and New Zealand.

Colourfastness to light
Colourfastness to light refers to a fabric's ability to resist fading or colour change when exposed to sunlight. Results can range from 1 – poor colourfastness to light to 8 – excellent colourfastness to light. Generally results 5 and over are considered acceptable in the furnishings industry.

Abrasion resistance
Abrasion resistance is the ability of a fabric to withstand surface wear due to rubbing and indicates how durable an upholstery fabric is likely to be. This test has been conducted using the Martindale method where the fabric is rated according to the number of rubs it takes before the fabric or colour breaks down. The Australian Standard AS2687 classifies fabrics according to suitable end use and ranges from 10,000 Martindale rubs (Domestic light duty) to 30,000 Martindale rubs (Commercial heavy duty).

Colourfastness to rubbing
This test identifies the tendency of dye to rub off the fabric and to stain other (dry or wet) fabrics it comes into contact with. Crocking can be the result of lack of penetration of the dyeing agent, the use of incorrect dyes or dyeing procedures, or the lack of proper washing procedures and finishing treatments after the dyeing process. Grades range from 1 (considerable change in colour/staining) to 5 (no change in colour/staining). Ratings of 3 and 4 or better for wet and dry rubbing respectively are regarded as acceptable.

Pilling resistance
The pilling test uses the Martindale method to assess a fabric's tendency to fuzz or form small unsightly balls of loose fibres. Standards range from Grade 1 - excessive pilling to Grade 5 = no pilling. A minimum grade of 3-4 is regarded as satisfactory.

Seam slippage
This test measures how much a seam sewn in the test fabric will pull apart when a maximum and minimum force is applied. This provides an indication of how well seams will stand up to pulling pressure and weight the fabric is subjected to (as in seating). A maximum 6mm opening at 180N force is regarded as acceptable.

Colourfastness to washing
The colourfastness to washing test measures the fabric's ability to withstand colour change and staining of undyed cloths in the same wash in a variety of washing conditions. This identifies suitability for washing. Grades range from 1 (considerable change in colour/staining) to 5 (no change in colour/staining). Ratings of 3 and 3-4 or better for staining and colour change respectively are usually regarded as acceptable.

Colourfastness to solvents
Colourfastness to solvents (in this case perchloroethylene) measures a fabric's ability to resist colour change when exposed to drycleaning solvents. This indicates the suitablity of a fabric for drycleaning. Results can range from 1 - poor colourfastness to solvents to 5 - excellent colourfastness to solvents with 3 to 4 or better representing acceptable colour change.

Colourfastness to bleach.
This test measures a fabric's ability to resist colour change when it is laundered with bleach (in this case sodium hypochlorite). Results can range from 1 poor colourfastness to bleach - 5 excellent colourfastness to bleach with 3 to 4 or better representing acceptable colour change. Although test results indicate suitability for bleaching, we do not generally recommend bleaching of our fabrics. If a customer desires to use bleach, we recommend testing the appropriately diluted bleach solution on a hidden section of the fabric.

Colourfastness to chlorinated swimming pool water
This test measures a fabric's ability to resist colour change when in contact with chlorinated swimming pool water. This test is particularly relevant for outdoor fabrics which may be located in the vicinity of a pool. Results can range from 1 poor colourfastness - 5 excellent colourfastness with 3 to 4 or better representing acceptable colour change.

Do your fabrics fade?

Yup! While our prints exceed industry standards for lightfastness, all fabrics will ultimately fade if they are exposed to our strong ultraviolet light for sustained periods of time. This is particularly so in north facing rooms and during winter when the sun is lower in the sky and comes further into rooms. We recommend you keep this in mind when placing your furniture and considering your window treatments.

What is pilling and what can I do about it?

Pilling occurs where short or loose fibres on the surface of a fabric tangle together and form small balls or “pills Pilling is a result of abrasion caused by normal wear and cleaning and should not be considered a fault. Pilling can be minimized by vacuuming furniture regularly to remove dirt and grit, by turning items inside out when washing, and by using a fabric softener when washing. Pilling can be successfully removed with battery operated pilling tool which is available in most haberdashery store. Removal of the unsightly balls does not affect the performance of the fabric.

Can I use Sparkk fabrics outside?

Sparkk fabrics have high durability and high lightfastness compared to many other furnishing fabrics and are easy to clean. While not designated outdoor fabrics as such, they are suited to occasional outdoor use, for example on outdoor cushions or banquettes which are generally stored undercover out of the elements

How do I care for Sparkk fabrics?

Both our Mara and Fritz fabrics are easy to care for and are fully washable and drycleanable. Following are our recommendations for their optimal care.

	Gentle warm machine wash
	Tumble dry, medium heat
	Warm Iron
	Dryclean. Any solvent other than trichloroethylene may be safely used.
	Do not bleach
	Turn loose covers inside out if washing
	Use a fabric softener when washing
	Vacuum upholstered furniture regularly using low suction
	Rotate cushions regularly
	Protect from direct sunlight

Where can Sparkk fabrics be used?

Sparkk fabrics are suitable primarily for interior uses. With their high durability and light fastness they are also suited to occasional outdoor use, for example on outdoor cushions or banquettes which are generally stored undercover out of the elements. Usage also depends on the type of basecloth you select. The following are recommended uses for our basecloths:

FRITZ:	Residential and commercial upholstery Roman blinds Curtains Cushions Bedspreads
MARA:	Drapery Roman blinds Curtains Cushions Bedspreads

What is grinning?

Grinning in fabric occurs when the background colour of the basecloth shows through a printed area of fabric. This can occur when the fabric is folded tightly as in stitched seams or around piping. Printed pile fabrics, or those woven from thicker fibres are more susceptible. This is an inherent characteristic of printed fabrics and should not be considered a flaw.

Ordering, Payment & Shipping

What are your order quantities?

Fabrics are sold by the linear (approx 137 cm wide) metre. The minimum order size is 1.0 metre and orders may be in 0.1 metre increments after that.
Memo samples which are usually around 34 cm x 24 cm in size, but may vary according to the design, are ordered and priced individually and include postage.
Colour palettes are ordered and priced individually and include postage.

Can I change or cancel my order?

If your order has not already gone into production, you are able to change or cancel your order. You will need to advise us of any changes to your order in writing, and will need a confirmation back from us acknowledging this for the change to be effected. (Please refer to Terms and Conditions of Sale - Alteration or Cancellation).

Can I place orders by phone or email?

Yes, although phone orders will need to be confirmed by you in writing.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept major credit cards, Paypal and electronic bank transfer. You will be able to select your preferred option at Checkout.

How long will it take to get my fabric?

We normally ship orders within two weeks of receiving an order. Your fabric is shipped via courier and shipping time will depend on where you live. For orders within Australia and NZ, most orders should be delivered within 3 - 5 days of despatch. Deliveries to other countries will take longer. More detailed information is available on our Delivery Information page. (Please also refer to Terms and conditions of Sale - Delivery)

What do I do if the fabric is not what I ordered?

Please contact us immediately if this has occurred. If the error is ours we will replace or refund your fabric immediately.

Do you accept returns?

Unfortunately as we print to order, we are not able to accept returns on fabric correctly supplied. If you have not seen the fabric you wish to order, we recommend that you request a memo sample of the fabric you wish to order to check you are happy with this.

Where can I find more information about delivery?

Delivery information can be found on our Delivery Information page. Our delivery processes and information are also subject to our Terms and Conditions of Sale. If you do not accept our Terms and Conditions of Sale, please do not proceed with your order. Please contact us if you have any questions.

What are your delivery charges?

When you order our fabrics through our website, delivery and handling charges are added to your order when you get to checkout and are based on the weight of your order and where in the world you live.

We love getting orders, so orders over 15 metres are free if you live in Australia or New Zealand and orders over 25 metres are free if you live in other countries. This may change, so please check on our website for current charges when you wish to order, or contact us.

How will you deliver my order?

Fabric orders are delivered by COURIERS PLEASE in Australia and COURIER POST in New Zealand. Deliveries to other countries will be by international courier and we will provide courier information when we know where you live.
Fabric orders can only be delivered to residential or business addresses (not PO Boxes)

Memo samples are sent by mail unless requested otherwise. Postage is included in the cost of memo samples.

How long does it take to get my order?

Your orders will normally be sent out within two weeks of order. We will let you know by email when your order has been despatched and provide you with a courier tracking number. You will need to allow another 3 - 5 days for delivery within Australia or New Zealand and we will provide an estimated delivery time for delivery to other countries.
We will do the best we can to deliver to you within expected time frames but we cannot guarantee these and cannot accept responsibility for delays once your order has left us as these are outside of our control. These may include delays in transit due to courier problems or customs/clearance delays.

What we need from you:
1. Please ensure you have provided accurate order and delivery information.
2. Please check that your order has been supplied to your satisfaction before it is made up. This is especially important where you have asked for the fabric to be sent to a third party and strongly recommend that a sample is sent to you from your third party for verification. Please see our Terms and Conditions of Sale regarding this.

For international shipments are there any additional charges / problems that I should know?

Your fabric order may be subject to the customs fees, import duties and taxes of the country to which you have your order shipped. These charges are the recipient's responsibility. You are also responsible for determining that our fabrics can be lawfully imported to the destination country. While we will do everything we can to ensure your fabric is delivered in a timely way, you need to be aware that international shipments (outside of Australia and New Zealand) have potential for customs and transit delays which are out of our control.

What do I do if my fabric is damaged when I get it?

For all customers, please check when you receive your order that no damage to the roll/packaging has occurred in transit. If there is obvious damage please note this on the receipt the courier asks you to sign. Please contact us as soon as possible on hello@sparkk.com.au if you receive transit-damaged fabric

Once we have verified damage or loss of your order with the courier company, we will replace your order.

What do I do if my fabric doesn’t arrive?

If you have not received your order within the indicative time provided when your order is dispatched, you can check the status of your order on the courier website with the tracking number we have provided. Please contact us as soon as possible if you have any problems about your delivery. Once we have verified the loss of your order with the courier company, we will replace your order.

What is your refund policy?

Our fabrics are guaranteed to meet Australian textile performance standards for their stated end use and given recommended care and use conditions have been met. We will refund or replace any fabrics which fail to meet their intended end use. We will also refund or replace any fabrics which we have supplied incorrectly (meaning incorrect basecloth, design or colourway) or which have flaws which fall outside normal commercial tolerances. Please read our Terms and Conditions of Sale for further information about our Warranties, Refund Policy and Claims Procedures.

Do you guarantee your fabrics?

Our fabrics are guaranteed to meet commonly accepted Australian and New Zealand textile performance standards for their stated end use and given recommended care and use conditions have been met Please read our Terms and Conditions of Sale sections on Warranty, Refund Policy and Claims Procedures

In what circumstances will I be able to get a refund?

We will refund the cost of your order plus shipping costs if:

• The fabric we have sent to you is not what is on your written order (and you don't want it replaced)
• If the fabric is flawed outside normal commercial tolerances (and you don't want it replaced or additional fabric sent).
• If the fabric fails to meet the performance expected for its recommended end use.
• If the fabric is damaged or lost in transit and this has been verified by the courier company (and you don't want it replaced).

Please read the Terms and Conditions of Sale sections on Warranty, Warranty and General Claims and Refund Policies for more information.

What do I do if I have a claim?

We will need to verify your claim before we can arrange refund or resupply. We may need do this by arranging to have your fabric picked up and returned to us. When we know what the problem is and where you are located, we will let you know what to do. Please read the Terms and Conditions of Sale sections on Warranty, Warranty and General Claims and Refund Policies for more information.

What is Digital Printing?

Digital textile printing uses specialized or modified inkjet technology to print either on fabrics directly or through a transfer process where the fabric is printed on a specially coated paper and then transferred onto the fabric. The type of fabric being printed (cottons, wools, silks, polyesters etc) generally dictates the textile chemistry and production method used. At Sparkk we currently print using transfer or dye sublimation printing. This process allows us to use a range of different, mainly polyester basecloths to produce high quality prints. The ability to print on demand allows for continuous availability of designs and colours as well as the ability to customise to client needs and market trends.

How do I know what a flaw is?

Flaws are irregularities in colour and weave are inherent and unavoidable in textile production. Where flaws become unacceptable is when these irregularities fall outside normal commercial tolerance. We inspect all our fabrics before they are sent out, so you should not get to see any of these that we have not already noticed ourselves and have compensated for. But if we mess up, typical flaws which would be considered unacceptable include staining and marks, holes in the fabric, distinct colour banding, missing bits of colour and excessive distortion of the fabric. Please get in touch with us if you believe your fabric to be unacceptably flawed

What is normal tolerance?

It is widely accepted in the textile industry that due to the inherently variable characteristics of both man-made and natural fibres, that inconsistencies in weave, colour and dimensions both within and between production batches of woven and printed textiles are unavoidable. These accepted inconsistencies are generally minor in nature and include:

• Colour variation from sample
• Shading variations within a production batch
• Variations in repeat and width dimensions (allow up to 5%)
• Bowing and skewing of horizontal weave (allow up to 3cm)
• Weave irregularities include minor slubs and yarn width variations
• Residual shrinkage (allow up to 5%)

For larger orders, it can be difficult to supply long lengths of fabrics without a weave or print flaw, and it may be necessary to supply the order in two or more lengths, or to supply additional fabric (usually 30cm) to compensate for flaws. For this reason we ask for fabric "cuts" to ensure you have the minimum lengths of unflawed fabric needed to make up your furnishing item.

See the General Section in our Terms and Conditions of Sale for more information.

What is polyester & why do you use it?

Polyester is a manufactured fibre introduced in the early 1950s, and is second only to cotton in worldwide use. Polyester is renowned for its durability due to its high resilience and high abrasion resistance. Because polyester has a low absorbency, it is also very easy to care for and is fully washable and drycleanable.

Polyester has got a bad rap in the past because of its "sticky" feel and shiny look. However, new developments in fibre technology have resulted in polyester having a very similar look to natural fibres but with much higher performance. Polyester is particularly suited to environments with high UV (such as Australia and New Zealand) and high humidity.

Which is better for the environment – natural or synthetic fabrics?

While natural fabrics have become synonymous with clean and green - things are not always what they seem. The reality is all textile production is energy consuming, often toxic to the environment, and requires the consumption of precious natural resources such as oil and water. Worldwide, textile waste is a significant contributor to landfills.

The argument for a natural fibre such as cotton is that it can be replanted and is therefore renewable. However, cotton production contributes to an unbelievable amount of global pesticide and insecticide use. While organic cottons eliminate these factors, cotton production is highly water intensive and the need for intensive irrigation is a major problem in diverting water away from communities and ecosystems.

Polyester production eliminates the need for intensive water use, however it is more energy intensive requiring wood and oil to produce it. Polyester production therefore contributes to global warming. On the other hand, polyester is 100% recyclable and more and more countries are establishing recycling centres for polyester. Polyester fibres are also now starting to be produced from post consumer and post-industrial recycled materials contributing to a cradle to cradle life cycle.

The argument for polyester continues in that natural fibres such as cotton can waste more energy in their care. Polyester is more stain-resistant. It can be washed in cold water and dries quickly. Natural fibres often require more energy (hot water washing/drying) or chemicals (drycleaning) to maintain them. Synthetic fabrics like polyester have a longer life in the presence of high UV or humidity, further reducing environmental impacts.

So in considering all the factors, it appears that neither natural or synthetic fibres are clearly superior in terms of their environmental impact. The impact of textiles on global warming and waste is significant and there is worldwide effort and research exploring sustainable technologies which can minimise this.

What is a memo sample?

A memo sample is a small printed sample (usually about 34 cm x 24 cm depending on the design) which you can order to see a fabric before you order it. Memos cost AUD3.00 each, including postage and are usually sent by mail, and you can order these through our online shop or by contacting us.

What is a strike off?

A strike off is a special printed sample of a custom colour/design. Please contact us for further information about custom colour/designs.

What are warps and wefts?

The lengthwise yarns found in all woven fabrics are called the warp. The warp is stronger and denser than the weft (crosswise) yarns. The weft comprises the yarns in woven fabrics that run perpendicular to the selvages. The weft is also called the crosswise grain.

What is a repeat?

A repeat or repeating unit is a complete unit of pattern for design and it is measured by the distance between the beginning of one complete pattern in the fabric design and the beginning of the next identical pattern. Patterned fabrics which are produced in continuous meterage are made up of repeating units so the design can continue lengthwise down the fabric (vertically) and join edge to edge or match (horizontally). Patterned fabrics may have either vertical or horizontal repeats or both. It is important to know the repeat dimensions, as allowances for pattern matching when joining lengths of fabric will need to be included when calculating meterage needed.

What are railroaded designs & can you do these?

Designs on fabrics usually have an "up-the-roll" orientation and run with the direction of the lengthwise warp yarns. Railroaded fabrics are fabrics whose designs run "sideways" across the roll. This process was developed primarily to help furniture manufacturers reduce the amount of seams required when upholstering furniture and to reduce waste.

For example, imagine a stripe running vertically down the length of a roll of fabric 138 cm wide. A 3 metre wide sofa will require joining three pieces of fabric together to cover the width. If the stripes are now printed/woven horizontally across the fabric from side to side (i.e. railroaded), when the roll is turned and run horizontally across the width of the sofa, this creates a continuous roll of vertical stripes,138 cm high, eliminating the need for seams.

Most of our designs can be railroaded at no additional cost. Please contact us if you would like your design to be railroaded.