Seating and upholstered panels
State the furniture type, intended contact, cushion or fixed-panel construction and sewing process. Request ground and pile composition, backing chemistry where present, fabric weight in g/m² and usable width excluding agreed selvage. Review seam behavior and pile shading using an identified sample under the intended viewing orientation.
Abrasion, pilling and colorfastness claims need the agreed test method, edition, specimen conditioning and acceptance threshold. Results from a different backing or finish are not automatically transferable. Ask the proposed supplier to identify the precise tested article, laboratory and date.
Window treatments and decorative panels
Record panel dimensions, fullness approach, lining, hanging direction and expected light exposure. Width alone does not describe the cut plan when pile must run consistently. A lighter article may drape differently from a heavier backed upholstery construction; equal shade names do not make them interchangeable.
Compare stock selection with custom dyeing on color minimum, sample stage, shade-lot policy and timing. Stock can fit a straightforward brief but may constrain available width or finish. Custom work can align the visual requirement while introducing approvals and commercial minimums that must be confirmed.
Printed accent collections
For custom printed velvet, provide artwork repeat, orientation, desired scale and the approved color reference. Review a strike-off on the proposed base construction rather than on a different fabric. Inspect the print with the pile in the agreed direction and retain a signed reference for bulk review.
Digital images cannot settle tactile feel, pile recovery or actual shade. A certificate is not a substitute for application testing, and supplier marketing is not evidence of the exact product. Your acceptance plan should distinguish visual comparison, measured properties and any end-use requirements needing qualified review.