Fabrics have the ability to transform any space, and are beautiful to touch and admire. However, and perhaps more importantly, they are also functional and have a job to do, so it’s essential to factor fabric performance into your selection criteria. To make it easier to differentiate between fabrics and their suitability for specific roles, we group them into several categories. These categories help buyers determine whether or not they’ll be fit for purpose and perform as expected.
Prints
Printed fabrics are a vibrant and versatile category, offering a wide array of colours, patterns, and designs. These fabrics are created by applying dyes or pigments onto the surface of various base cloths using methods such as digital printing or rotary screen printing. From contemporary geometrics and bold florals to classic motifs and abstract compositions, printed fabrics allow for creative expression and customisation. They are commonly used in curtaining, cushions, and light upholstery where visual impact is a priority. Prints are a popular choice for clients looking to refresh interiors with on-trend or seasonal styles.
Jacquards
Jacquards are premium woven fabrics that feature complex patterns integrated directly into the weave, rather than printed or embroidered. These patterns are achieved using a specialised loom that controls individual warp threads, allowing for intricate, textured designs with varying thread colours and finishes. Jacquards are known for their luxurious appearance, durability, and timeless appeal. They are particularly well-suited for statement upholstery, drapery, and soft furnishings where texture and depth are key. Their weight and structure also make them ideal for high-end interiors and more formal decorative schemes.
Wide Width
Wide width fabrics, typically measuring 280cm or more in width, are designed for seamless application in large-scale projects. These fabrics are ideal for curtaining, bedlinen, and wall coverings where fewer seams are preferred for a cleaner, more professional finish. Their extended width allows for efficient cutting and minimal wastage, especially for full-length drapes or panoramic installations. Wide width fabrics come in a range of styles including plains, textures, sheers, and prints – making them a popular choice among interior designers and decorators looking for both practicality and elegance.
PPU’s & Vinyls
Polyurethane (PPU) and vinyl fabrics are high-performance synthetics used primarily in commercial and contract environments. These fabrics are engineered for durability, water resistance, and ease of maintenance – often featuring anti-bacterial, flame-retardant, and stain-repellent treatments. PPUs tend to offer a softer, more leather-like feel, while vinyls are known for their robustness and versatility. Both are ideal for healthcare, hospitality, educational, and office applications, especially in high-traffic or spill-prone areas. With a growing range of textures, grains, and colourways, these fabrics deliver style without compromising functionality.
Upholsteries
Upholstery fabrics are specially designed for covering furniture – balancing aesthetics with strength, abrasion resistance, and comfort. Available in a variety of materials including cotton blends, polyester, chenille, and velvet, these fabrics cater to diverse design needs. Upholstery textiles are tested to withstand daily wear and tear, making them suitable for both residential and commercial settings. They can dramatically transform the look and feel of a space by introducing texture, pattern, and colour through key pieces like sofas, armchairs, headboards, and ottomans.
Curtaining
Curtaining fabrics are essential to interior styling, offering both decorative and functional benefits. These textiles range from light-filtering sheers to full block-out and dimout fabrics that provide privacy and light control. Curtaining fabrics are available in a wide variety of weights, finishes, and designs – from elegant plains and linens to dramatic prints and luxurious textures. Whether softening a room with flowy sheers or adding drama with floor-to-ceiling block-outs, curtaining plays a crucial role in framing windows, regulating light, and enhancing the overall ambience of a room.
Technical
Technical fabrics are designed with performance at their core. These specialist materials offer added functionalities such as flame retardancy, anti-microbial properties, acoustic insulation, blackout capability, and stain resistance. Often used in hospitality, healthcare, education, and corporate environments, technical fabrics ensure safety, hygiene, and durability without sacrificing style. They are a go-to solution for architects, designers, and specifiers working on complex or regulated projects where both aesthetics and compliance are required.
Recycled
Recycled, upcycled or recyclable are words that are increasingly being used when describing fabric and our suppliers are very focused on reducing the negative impact that the fabric industry has previously had on our environment. Their manufacturing processes are carefully scrutinized to ensure that they abide by the international regulations set out by both OEKOTEX and REACH.
Outdoor
The market for outdoor fabrics has grown enormously over recent years and this category continues to grow in popularity. Many of our suppliers have their own outdoor collection and regularly launch new weaves, prints and designs. For a fabric to be considered for outdoor use, it must pass a number of tests, with the most important being the light fastness. This test measures how many hours of sun exposure a fabric can endure before significant fading occurs. Considering our harsh South African sun, a minimum light fastness of 7 is expected but 8 is the preferred score. In addition to the light fastness, all outdoor fabrics should be treated with an anti-mildew and/or anti-bacterial finish. Many are also water resistant or water repellent.
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