Fabric FAQ
Fabric FAQ
The print is the fun part. The base is what determines how your project actually behaves. Here are the questions we expect makers to ask most.
How is fabric sold?
Unless a listing says otherwise, Yard Society fabric is ordered in full-yard quantities. Select your print, scale, fabric base and number of yards before adding it to your cart.
How wide is the fabric?
Many of our bases are approximately 150 cm or 59 inches wide, but usable printed width can vary by substrate and production. Always check the current product or Fabric Guide specifications before planning a project that depends on an exact width.
What does GSM mean?
GSM means grams per square meter and is a measurement of fabric weight. A higher GSM generally means a heavier or more substantial fabric, but fiber content and construction also affect stretch, drape, opacity and hand feel.
Which base should I choose?
Start with what you are making. Cotton Lycra is a versatile apparel base; bamboo and modal knits offer softer, more fluid drape; French Terry works well for hoodies and joggers; woven bases suit projects such as quilting, structured apparel and bags; and specialty bases have their own recommended uses. Our Fabric Guide compares the current offerings.
Will the color look exactly like my screen?
No screen can guarantee an exact textile color match. Phone and monitor settings, brightness, color profiles, fiber content, texture and the printing process all influence appearance. A print can also appear slightly different on two different fabric bases.
Can production runs vary?
Yes. Small differences between print runs are normal in custom textile production. If matching fabric from a previous order is critical, we recommend ordering the full quantity you expect to need at one time.
What scale will my print be?
Use the scale or preview controls provided with the print when available. Digital previews are intended to help visualize approximate scale and placement; they are not a guarantee that every motif will fall at a particular point along the cut yardage.
What if I upload my own design?
Upload My Design is an as-submitted printing service. We print the artwork file you provide without automatically fixing resolution, seams, scale, color, placement or repeat construction. You are responsible for supplying print-ready artwork and confirming that you have the rights needed to print it.
Can you create a design for me?
Yes. Design It For Me is a separate paid creative service for customers who need us to build or develop artwork. Design fees cover the artwork service; fabric is purchased separately after the design is ready.
Will my fabric arrive as one continuous cut?
We aim to provide continuous yardage when production allows. Very large quantities, production limitations or a material issue may require more than one cut. If continuous yardage is essential to your project, contact us before ordering.
Should I prewash?
Care needs vary by fiber and construction. Natural-fiber fabrics may experience normal shrinkage. When your finished project will be washed, prewashing before cutting is generally a useful maker practice unless the specific fabric requires different care. Test specialty fabrics when in doubt.
What counts as a defect?
A material printing or manufacturing issue that prevents the fabric from reasonably matching the ordered product may qualify for review. Normal textile variation, differences caused by screens or fabric bases, and errors contained in customer-supplied artwork are not automatically production defects.
Still unsure?
Please contact us before ordering. We would much rather help you choose a base before it goes into production than have you discover afterward that a different fabric would have suited your project better.