Indoor, outdoor, and performance fabrics for furniture: the complete specification guide
Export buyers ask about fabric by name. "Is this Sunbrella?" "What's the Martindale count?" "Can this go outdoors?" If your team can't answer these questions in 30 seconds, the deal slows down. Here's the fabric language every furniture brand needs to know.
Why fabric specification matters for export
In the domestic market, buyers can touch the fabric. In export, they can't — they're making purchasing decisions based on names, certifications, and images. A fabric spec that's vague ("soft fabric, various colors") gives buyers nothing to work with. A precise spec ("Bouclé, 85% polyester / 15% wool blend, 30,000 Martindale, ivory colorway — RAL 9001") lets a buyer confirm whether it meets their requirements without a sample request.
Indoor fabrics: the main families
Velvet
Velvet is woven with a cut pile that creates a soft, directional sheen. The nap direction changes how light reflects off the surface — running your hand one way makes it look lighter; the other way, darker.
- Types: cotton velvet (breathable, natural), polyester velvet (durable, vibrant colors, affordable), mohair velvet (premium, subtle sheen), crushed velvet (distressed nap direction).
- Best for: lounge chairs, sofas, accent headboards, ottomans — indoor only.
- Martindale range: 20,000–50,000 depending on construction. Specify for export markets — EU buyers expect 30,000+ for residential, 100,000+ for commercial.
- In 3D: requires
KHR_materials_sheenextension in GLB for correct nap sheen. Without it, velvet renders flat.
Bouclé
Bouclé is a looped, textured yarn fabric with a distinctly pebbly or curly surface. The name comes from the French for "curled." It's having a sustained popularity moment in contemporary interior design.
- Types: wool bouclé (premium, natural, prone to pilling), polyester bouclé (more durable, easier to clean), blended (most commercial grade).
- Best for: accent chairs, sofas, headboards — indoor primarily.
- Martindale range: typically 15,000–25,000. Lower than velvet — bouclé is a lifestyle choice, not a high-durability fabric.
- In 3D: the loop texture needs a high-resolution normal map to read correctly. A flat albedo texture makes bouclé look like regular woven fabric.
Linen and linen-look
Natural linen has a distinctive irregular slub texture and breathes exceptionally well. Linen-look polyester blends replicate the visual without the wrinkle and care requirements.
- Natural linen: 100% flax fiber, wrinkles easily, improves with washing, allergen-friendly. Popular in Scandinavian and minimalist markets.
- Linen-look: typically 70–85% polyester / 15–30% viscose or cotton. Much more practical for furniture upholstery; retains the texture.
- Best for: sofas, dining chairs, beds — indoor. Light colors fade outdoors.
- In 3D: irregular slub requires a tileable texture with visible yarn variation. Avoid too-perfect tiling — it looks synthetic.
Performance weaves (indoor)
Performance fabrics are engineered for durability while maintaining decorative appeal. Commonly used in hospitality, contract furniture, and family-focused residential.
- Crypton: stain, moisture, and odor resistant. Common in healthcare and hospitality upholstery. Certification required to market as Crypton.
- Revolution: solution-dyed polyester, high Martindale, washable. Popular for children's furniture and pet-friendly markets.
- Boucles with performance treatment: many bouclé constructions now come with stain-resistant finishes — specify separately from the base fabric.
Outdoor fabrics: performance first
Outdoor fabric requirements are fundamentally different from indoor. UV stability, moisture resistance, and mold resistance are non-negotiable. Aesthetic is secondary.
Solution-dyed acrylic (Sunbrella and equivalents)
Solution-dyed means the color is added to the fiber before it's extruded — the color goes all the way through. This gives exceptional UV fade resistance (Sunbrella rates at 2,000+ hours of direct sun with minimal fade).
- Sunbrella: the dominant brand; buyers in AU, US, EU markets recognize and ask for it by name. Carries a 5-year outdoor warranty.
- Generic solution-dyed acrylic: similar performance at lower price. Specify as "solution-dyed acrylic, UV-stable, 2,000 hours xenon arc tested" to communicate the same performance without the brand premium.
- Martindale equivalent: 10,000–40,000 for typical outdoor grades. Outdoor fabrics prioritize UV over abrasion.
- In 3D: acrylic outdoor fabrics have a characteristic matte, slightly waxy sheen — roughness 0.75–0.85, very slight sheen from the acrylic base.
Solution-dyed polyester (olefin / polypropylene)
Cheaper than acrylic, still solution-dyed. Good moisture resistance; less UV stable than acrylic. Often used in budget outdoor and contract furniture.
- Best for: budget outdoor dining chairs, stackable hospitality furniture.
- UV rating: typically 500–1,000 hours — adequate for covered outdoor areas, not direct sun.
- Tell buyers: "solution-dyed polyester, suitable for covered outdoor / partial sun." Don't claim Sunbrella-equivalent UV performance.
Textilene and PVC-coated mesh
Textilene is a PVC-coated polyester mesh fabric, typically used for sling chairs, sun loungers, and director-style seating. Fully weatherproof, quick-drying, no cushion required.
- Best for: outdoor sling chairs, pool furniture, café furniture.
- Specify: mesh weave count (e.g., 2×2 or 1×1), PVC coating weight, color code.
- In 3D: Textilene renders as a semi-transparent mesh with visible weave structure. Use an opacity texture map with the mesh pattern.
Performance grades buyers ask for
| Grade / Certification | What it means | Who asks for it |
|---|---|---|
| Martindale (rub count) | Abrasion resistance — cycles before fabric shows wear. 15K = residential, 30K = heavy residential, 100K+ = contract/commercial | EU buyers, hospitality |
| Wyzenbeek (double rubs) | US equivalent of Martindale. 15K = residential, 30K = heavy duty. Different test, not directly comparable. | US buyers |
| OEKO-TEX Standard 100 | No harmful substances in the fabric or dyes. Required for skin-contact fabric in many EU markets. | EU buyers, childrenswear-adjacent |
| Greenguard Gold | Low chemical emissions — required for healthcare and education furniture in the US. | US healthcare/education buyers |
| UV rating (xenon arc hours) | How many hours under simulated sunlight before noticeable fade. 1,000 = acceptable outdoor, 2,000+ = premium outdoor. | AU / US outdoor buyers |
| IMO Fire Retardant | Marine-grade fire safety. Required for yacht and cruise ship furniture. | Marine / hospitality buyers |
| REACH Compliance | EU chemical regulation compliance. Mandatory for any fabric sold into the EU. | All EU buyers |
How fabric type affects 3D rendering
Each fabric category has a distinct PBR material signature. Getting these right is the difference between a render that looks like the real thing and one that looks "off":
| Fabric | Roughness | Normal map | Special |
|---|---|---|---|
| Velvet | 0.75–0.90 | High — directional pile | KHR_materials_sheen: sheen color + roughness |
| Bouclé | 0.65–0.80 | High — loop texture, large scale | Subtle displacement or height map for depth |
| Linen / linen-look | 0.70–0.85 | Medium — slub yarn variation | Irregular tiling to avoid repeat pattern |
| Solution-dyed acrylic (outdoor) | 0.75–0.85 | Low-medium — tight weave | Slight anisotropy from weave direction |
| Textilene mesh | 0.55–0.65 | Low — smooth PVC surface | Opacity/alpha texture for mesh weave |
| Leather (full-grain) | 0.45–0.60 | Medium — grain variation | Roughness variation map for non-uniform gloss |
| Faux leather / PU | 0.30–0.50 | Low-medium — embossed grain | More uniform than real leather; slight metalness 0 |
Fabric specification template
Use this format when briefing 3D artists and when communicating with buyers:
Fabric: [Common name]
Fiber content: [e.g., 85% polyester, 15% cotton]
Construction: [e.g., cut pile velvet / looped bouclé / plain weave]
Finish: [e.g., stain-resistant treatment / no treatment]
Martindale / Wyzenbeek: [rub count and test standard]
UV stability: [hours or "indoor only"]
Care: [e.g., spot clean only / machine wash cold / wipe with damp cloth]
Colorway name: [brand color name]
Color code: [RAL / Pantone / hex]
Suitable for: [indoor / outdoor covered / outdoor direct sun]
Certification: [OEKO-TEX / Greenguard / REACH / none]
Supplier reference: [fabric code if available]
Example:
Fabric: Bouclé
Fiber content: 78% polyester, 22% wool
Construction: Looped bouclé, medium loop height (~3mm)
Finish: None
Martindale: 22,000 (EN ISO 12947-2)
UV stability: Indoor only
Care: Spot clean with mild detergent, do not machine wash
Colorway name: Chalk
Color code: RAL 9001
Suitable for: Indoor residential
Certification: OEKO-TEX Standard 100When we started sending complete fabric specs in this format, the sample request cycle dropped from 4–6 weeks to 1–2 weeks. Buyers knew exactly what they were getting before they asked for the sample.