Customer-supplied upholstery: confirm approval before ordering fabric
A practical guide to coordinating COM fabric, furniture models, application samples and purchasing responsibilities, informed by JSI’s published process and ACT textile guidance.
Tie the textile to the furniture model
Customer’s own material, commonly shortened to COM, lets a design team specify a textile supplied separately for furniture upholstery. Before placing the fabric order, give the dealer one record linking the furniture model, textile pattern and color, quantity of pieces, and intended application. Include an image showing where each fabric belongs when a chair uses contrasting upholstery.
JSI’s current Graded-In & COM page provides a search tool with approval-status and furniture-family filters. For an unlisted textile, it directs teams to submit an application-test sample before order entry and shipment of fabric. Ask the dealer to confirm approval for the specific furniture being quoted, and keep that confirmation with the purchasing record.
Confirm the sample and application instructions
Sample requirements deserve a separate check. JSI generally requests a memo sample of at least four inches square, but its current page specifies a 3.5-yard application sample for Maru physical testing. Ask the factory which requirement applies before sending material. That decision belongs early enough in the schedule to allow for shipping, review and any replacement selection.
For a patterned textile, send the proposed orientation and placement to the dealer along with the model list. Ask the manufacturer to confirm the required yardage and any effect of pattern matching or contrasting upholstery. A marked photograph or drawing gives the team a clear reference when the order is reviewed. Record who will approve the final application instructions and who will purchase the fabric.
Review performance and care with the end user
Include the facilities or housekeeping team in the textile review. Ask what cleaning products and procedures they expect to use, then request written care guidance from the textile supplier and furniture manufacturer for the proposed combination. Give the end user a chance to resolve a mismatch before purchasing.
ACT’s high-traffic guideline for woven indoor upholstery cautions that abrasion results do not predict fabric lifespan, and that Wyzenbeek and Martindale results do not correlate. When comparing textiles, identify the test method behind each number and ask the supplier how the fabric fits the intended use. Keep the performance documents and care instructions beside the approved selection.
Assign the fabric handoff
Before release, ask the dealer to confirm the receiving address, labeling requirements, fabric quantity and production-scheduling assumptions. JSI’s order form process calls for special application instructions and shipment identification. Confirm the current details with the factory when arranging delivery.
Use a shared checklist with named owners for approval, fabric purchase, shipment tracking and receipt confirmation. If the fabric changes, return the revised selection to the dealer for review before release. Edgewater can help connect project teams with JSI resources to resolve current approval and specification questions.
Bring the conversation to your project.
Edgewater Contract connects dealers, designers and commercial end users with represented furniture manufacturers across Southern California, Hawaii, Nevada and Arizona. Territories vary by manufacturer.
Connect with Edgewater ↗Explore the inspiration gallery ↗