Design and Craftsmanship
The Art of Fabric Selection
Which fabric should you select for your venue? With so many options, it can be an overwhelming decision. Irwin has been helping customers make great fabric selections for decades. Here are a few pointers for best practices to simplify your fabric search.
Your venue usage and traffic will determine the type of fabric to choose.
Sports facilities should expect everything from feet on the seats to spilled beverages, while keeping fans comfortable until the final buzzer. Coated fabrics are an excellent choice for these locations.
Coated fabrics include vinyl, polyurethane, polycarbonate, and silicone. These have solid surfaces for easier cleaning and can come in a wide range of colors.
Indoor sports venues can choose from all coated options, as well as some durable woven fabrics. Coated fabrics are also the first choice for Cinemas, where fabric comfort and durability are put to the test. Skye Cinema patrons enjoy the latest blockbusters seated on Irwin’s proprietary Reli polycarbonate fabric in Black.
Outdoor venues require either vinyl or silicone with a specific topcoat for UV /weather resistance. A good example of outdoor vinyl in use is at KU’s David Booth Memorial Stadium, using Spradling – Marlin vinyl in color Celestial.
Learning spaces have multiple options, based on the events held in the venue. Coated fabrics can be used, or the space can be softened with a durable woven choice.
Woven fabrics, as the name implies, are woven from durable yarns and come in a multitude of patterns and solid options, often with broad color spectrums. Given the wide range of woven fabric options, your budget and aesthetic are important in narrowing the selection. Virginia Commonwealth University chose Absecon Mills – Sherpa in Purple Violet to keep students engaged.
Velvet is frequently the choice for Performing Arts venues. Associated with luxury and historic spaces, velvet is surprisingly durable but requires attention to cleaning to maintain its pile and luster. It performs best in spaces without heavy food and beverage service. The Folly Theatre’s performance space is enhanced by Mayer – Plaza velvet in Indigo.
Your budget helps define which fabrics to choose.
Fabric grades are a reference to the fabric price. Grades don’t indicate durability or quality, only cost. Your Irwin rep can help you identify the appropriate fabric grade range for your project. Our helpful online Fabric Filter allows you to include the Grade to narrow your search.
Color completes the selection process.
Each fabric pattern comes in its own color range. Once you’ve dialed in to the type and grade of fabric for your project, be sure to request fabric samples, as colors viewed online may not look exactly as they do in person. Samples are a critical step to finalizing your selection. You can easily request up to 15 fabric samples directly from our website.
Need help selecting the perfect fabric for your next project?
Drop us a note to get started today.