3 SIMPLE QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE HIRING ANY CUSTOM FABRIC SHOP (THESE QUESTIONS SAVE OUR CUSTOMERS THOUSANDS OF $$$)
Certain questions hold more weight than others.
And this is true as you consider which custom fabric shop to hire.
Which is why we’d like to introduce you to the 3 questions you should be asking any custom fabric shop before hiring them.
These questions save our customers thousands of dollars.
What kind of fabrics do you work with?
Understanding the types of fabrics that your custom fabric shop works with is extremely important; it really provides you with a perspective of what they know about fabric, and how customizable their solutions can be. It’s important to note that not all fabrics are created equal, so be sure that your provider thoroughly understands which fabrics are best for each project.
A few things to consider when selecting a fabric include:
How durable is the fabric (specifically to the outdoor elements)?
Will the color fade over time with this fabric?
Can I customize this fabric with graphics?
Will the fabric provide insulation? If so, how much?
Does this fabric provide UV protection? If so, how much?
What type of warranty does this fabric manufacturer provide?
Also, here are a few of the fabrics we work with. Just so you can get an idea of some of the common manufacturer name brands:
What does fabric maintenance look like?
In addition to the question above, what kind of fabrics do you work with, an often undiscussed element of working with fabric is asking about the fabric’s care, cleaning and maintenance. Since fabrics can be used in a variety of ways (boat covers, awnings, custom enclosures, etc.), it’s important to understand what kind of maintenance recommendations the manufacturer has, and how important those recommendations are to your project. Remember, if you take care of your canvas, it will take care of you; and cleaning and repairing minor problems is the easiest way to take care of your fabric.
Also, here is a list of common cleaners we recommend. Please be sure to ask your custom fabric shop or fabric manufacturer what they recommend for your specific fabric project.
Describe your shop & team?
This question is important to ask because it forces the fabric shop to tell you about their shop and team. In some cases, custom fabric operations are only resellers of fabric solutions, operating out of their home. While these organizations can still provide quality workmanship, it’s important that you as the customer understand whether or not they can truly handle your custom needs. Industry experience can be critical to producing a quality product.
A few things to think about here include:
How many years they’ve been in business?
How many full time employees do they have?
What kind of manual and technology-driven equipment do they have?
What is the size of their shop?
Have they accomplished similar work to what you’re asking for/ and understand your needs?
With these questions you are now prepared to hire a custom fabric shop, for any type of project. Keep in mind that while we know these 3 questions are crucial, there are many others that would also be relevant depending on the individual project. That’s why we always recommend that you work with a team that has experience over a team that has capability.
-Canvas Craft Team