What is contract fabric and what it is used for

The term "contract fabrics" is a general term used to describe fabrics that are not specifically intended for use in garments, but rather for commercial uses, where they will see an exceptionally high level of traffic.

They are often used in industry by companies and businesses that require their fabric to be hard-wearing, stain-resistant and easy to clean, so are often treated to this effect.

At the Yorkshire Fabric Shop, we supply contract fabrics by the metre, made from a range of materials, including cotton, velvet, chenille and leather.

We have over 1500 varieties in stock with a full range of colours and designs to suit any project or workplace. So if you’re looking for a fabric that will be flame retardant as standard, will stand up to heavy wear and tear, and has been put through a range of industry tests to prove it, your search for the perfect contract fabric ends here.

What are contract fabrics used for?

Because "contract fabrics" is a term used to describe the quality of the fabrics rather than the materials used, there is a lot of range in what is considered contract-grade, and therefore a multitude of uses.

We supply contract upholstery fabric made from eight different materials in over 1500 varieties, so you can find choices suitable for anything from tablecloths, to soft furnishings in offices. Whether you're looking for plain upholstery fabric or a printed design, we're confident you'll find something you like across our contract fabric collections.

Despite the wide range of applications, feedback from our customers tells us that contract fabrics are primarily used as in upholstery projects (e.g. for cushions), used as drapery fabrics, bought to be used as curtains, or bought to be used as canvas materials.

This list isn't exhaustive by any means, as the many benefits of using contract fabric means people choose it for a whole host of applications. If you're looking for a specific material or style, use the filters on this page to whittle down our range to find something suitable.

What are the main properties of contract grade fabrics?

Durability:

Contract fabrics are designed to be long lasting, and to that effect they can withstand heavy wear and tear without losing their shape or colour.

This makes them ideal for upholstery projects such as chairs and sofas where they may be sat on frequently or exposed to environmental elements like sunlight and rain.

Stain resistance:

Contract fabrics also generally resist stains better than standard fabric, due to the fact that they are usually made with polyester or nylon fibres incorporated, which don't absorb moisture easily.

This makes them ideal for indoor applications where liquid spillage may occur frequently, such as restaurants, hotels and schools.

Easy care:

Contract grade fabrics tend to be very easy to care for because they don't typically require special treatments like dry cleaning or ironing in order to stay looking good over time.

This also makes them ideal for home decor projects where there's less need to worry about getting the fabric dirty or stained (famous last words).

Do contract fabrics come treated?

All of our contract fabrics come treated to CRIB-5 standards, which means that they are flame retardant to a level acceptable within the service industries for fire regulations.

All of our contract fabrics that receive this certification have undergone rigorous testing and the flame retardant treatment we use offers our customers reassurance that they can trust.

Customers are also able to add additional treatments to the fabrics as they are added to the basket, including soil and stain treatment, waterproof treatment, and further flame retardant treatment. All costs are incorporated by the metre, so you can fully customise your order.

Creating an account with the Yorkshire Fabric Shop

Creating an account has many benefits, you can track order history and see order and shipping status, so you can get a good idea of when you get everything prepared to start your project.

Being able to track order history also means that you can conveniently see exactly which styles and designs you opted for in the past, because 1500 options is a lot to browse through!

Finally, if you're stuck between a few options in your basket, you can move them to your moodboard, which is essentially a corner for designers to brainstorm project ideas.

Make sure to sign in (rather than as a guest) and checkout using your account to access these benefits and others.

Ordering contract fabric samples

You can always order samples of different styles direct from our online shop to your UK address, so you can get an idea of what they look like in person. Samples start at £1 for a 10cm by 6cm strip of fabric, and we can also provide jumbo samples at 125cm by 20cm if you want to get a good feel for the fabric design.

If you are looking for a specific style or colour and can't find it on our site, or have any questions at all regarding our contract fabric range, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team on our contact page who will be happy to help answer your questions.