Choosing the Fabric Before Defining the Project
One of the most common mistakes made by brands, stylists, or designers is selecting a fabric before clearly defining the project’s objective. This often happens due to aesthetic impulse — being drawn to a texture or print — without evaluating the final product type, its function, target audience, and context of use.
The risk? High. It can lead to choosing unsuitable materials, inconsistencies between design and fabric, and, ultimately, wasted time, budget, and resources.
Without a clear concept, fabric selection becomes disconnected from the collection strategy. Not knowing, for example, whether the fabric will be used for home décor, fashion garments, or decorative packaging can result in the wrong choice in terms of weight, stability, durability, or aesthetic performance. This risk increases in seasonal or themed collections, where aligning the visual message with the material is essential for conveying identity and coherence.
Moreover, starting production — or worse, ordering large fabric quantities — without a full project overview is extremely risky. You may only discover later that the fabric does not support the desired print quality, has shrinkage issues, or fails to enhance the developed pattern. These missteps result in extra costs, rushed corrections, and compromised outcomes.
Fabric selection should follow project planning — not precede it. Once brand values, product type, desired style, and function are defined, the right material can be chosen with both technical and aesthetic awareness.
Need help structuring your creative process from concept to materials? Papis supports you with expert consulting to align design and fabric from the very beginning.
Prioritizing Aesthetics and Ignoring Technical Features
Another frequent — and often underestimated — mistake is selecting a fabric purely for its visual appeal, overlooking its technical characteristics. It’s easy to be captivated by a soft surface, a vibrant print, or a unique weave. But if the material doesn’t meet the practical needs of the project, the entire collection may suffer.
Every fabric has specific physical and functional properties that impact how it performs in printing, sewing, usage, and washing. Key factors to consider include:
- GSM (grams per square meter): affects drape, strength, and structure.
- Ink absorption: crucial for sharp, accurate prints.
- Dimensional stability: determines how the fabric holds shape after washing.
- Fabric hand: how the fabric feels to the touch — vital in both fashion and home textiles.
- Sewing/cutting behavior: influences product appearance and durability.
Neglecting these factors can lead to poor performance: prints may not adhere well, fabrics may deform, colors may fade, or the surface may wear prematurely. Even if the initial look is appealing, long-term performance is the real test.
To ensure a professional, lasting result, technical evaluation must come before aesthetics. Only then can design and function be effectively combined.
Want a beautiful collection that also performs perfectly? Papis offers material testing and detailed technical advice to help you choose the right fabric for your needs.
Skipping Sample Testing Before Full Production
One of the most critical — and unfortunately most common — mistakes is skipping the sample testing phase before bulk printing or product industrialization. This step is often seen as time-consuming or unnecessary, yet it is strategic to the success of the collection.
Without real testing, you’re working blind: you won’t know how the design behaves on the chosen fabric, how the colors react after fixation, or how the print adapts to specific shapes or construction. The result? Costly errors, reprints, product waste, and disappointed clients.
Fabric printing can reveal several issues that only a physical sample can uncover in time. The most common include:
- Color mismatches between digital file and printed result
- Ink absorption issues due to fabric composition
- Motif distortion or misalignment, especially on stretchy or textured fabrics
- Color tone shifts after washing or drying
- Unwanted effects on hairy or textured fabrics
Testing allows for adjustments: refining the design file, changing the fabric, or recalibrating print settings. It’s also useful for presenting to clients, assessing perceived value, and making smarter pre-launch decisions.
Papis offers multi-fabric testing, even in small quantities, to check visual accuracy, tactile feel, and technical performance — a small investment that can prevent costly mistakes.
Want full control over your final results and peace of mind before launching? Request a personalized print test on the fabrics you’re considering.
Overlooking Sustainability and Environmental Impact
In today’s market, where environmental awareness is a growing priority, ignoring sustainability in fabric selection is not just a technical mistake — it’s a serious strategic limitation. Brands that neglect this aspect risk losing competitiveness, credibility, and market share, especially among conscious consumers and in more selective retail channels.
Sustainability today goes far beyond simply choosing a “natural” fiber. The entire supply chain must be assessed — from raw materials to production techniques, from printing to dyeing, all the way to packaging and end-of-life disposal. Key aspects to consider include:
- The origin and traceability of the fiber (e.g., organic, recycled, GOTS or OEKO-TEX certified);
- Water and energy consumption during production;
- The presence or absence of harmful chemicals in treatment processes;
- The durability of the product, to avoid a throwaway cycle;
- Whether the material is recyclable or compostable at the end of its life.
Using non-sustainable materials can damage a brand’s image — particularly in industries where aesthetics are closely tied to values like care, responsibility, and conscious beauty. Additionally, many buyers now require environmental certifications to list products in their catalogs, concept stores, e-commerce platforms, or green-focused boutiques.
Partnering with suppliers that offer certified printable fabrics — combining aesthetics, performance, and traceability — has become a distinguishing factor for successful brands.
Papis offers a curated selection of natural and sustainable supports, such as organic cotton, certified European linen, and modal from responsibly managed forests. Our team can support you in building collections that combine design excellence with environmental responsibility.
Want to develop a beautiful, sustainable collection aligned with your brand’s values and market expectations? Contact us to explore the certified fabrics best suited to your project.
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Ignoring Dimensional Stability and Washing Performance
One commonly overlooked factor in fabric selection is dimensional stability and wash resistance. Ignoring this can compromise the final result — especially in collections intended for regular or intensive use, such as home décor, apparel, or textile accessories. Not all fabrics react the same to water, heat, or friction. Underestimating these effects can lead to structural, visual, and reputational issues.
Dimensional stability refers to a fabric’s ability to maintain its shape and size over time, even after repeated washing, ironing, or physical stress. Unstable fabrics can:
- Shrink or stretch, compromising fit or compatibility with interiors
- Distort printed patterns, affecting visual quality
- Develop permanent wrinkles that reduce perceived value
- Suffer from pilling, fading, or altered hand feel after minimal use
These issues aren’t always visible at first glance. That’s why it’s essential to carry out specific tests, including simulated washing, shrinkage measurement, rub tests, and colorfastness evaluations. The results of these tests help ensure only fabrics with consistent, reliable performance are chosen.
In the world of home textiles, premium fashion, or textile packaging, a beautiful but fragile product is a broken promise. Conversely, a fabric that performs well under real-life conditions and retains its qualities after washing elevates perceived value, encourages repeat purchases, and strengthens brand trust.
Papis conducts rigorous performance testing on every fabric we offer, ensuring only supports that pass stringent stability and durability standards are included. This enables our clients to work with confidence, delivering consistent quality in every finished product.
Want your collection to look great today — and stay flawless after first use? Request fabric performance testing for the materials you’re considering.
