Editor’s note: This article is part of ChivMen exclusive series where the articles will guide and provide knowledge to men about everything in life.
Whether you run a business, work in an industry that requires a constant supply of fabrics, or is seeking some fresh fabrics to breathe new life into your home or office, you’ll want to source your materials from a reliable fabric supplier. Not all fabrics are created equal and neither are suppliers. When it comes to fabric suppliers, countries like America and Australia offer up numerous options. Which one is right for you? Here are some tips on choosing the right knitted fabric manufacturer and supplier for your specific needs.
Choose a Fabric and Textiles Company That’s Established
While new businesses in every industry deserve a chance, if you’re in the printing trade, manufacture blinds, and awnings, or perform upholstery for vehicles, boats, and caravans, you’ll want to deal with a supplier that has the runs on the board.
It’s about developing ongoing partnerships that are beneficial to both the supplier and your business. When you team up with a fabric supplier that’s been in business for some time and has built up a solid reputation for quality and reliability, you’ll have the peace of mind that you’ll receive exactly what you need, when you need it.
The bottom line is, you’ll have a lot more confidence dealing with some trusted American or Australian wholesale fabric suppliers that have a positive track record of service and are well-established entities. A new company may potentially go out of business, leaving you high and dry when it comes to your supply chain.
Does the Supplier Have What You Need?
There’s no point teaming up with a supplier with the view to an ongoing relationship if they don’t supply the kind of fabrics you need on an ongoing basis. There are loads of different fabrics and materials on the market, and while some suppliers may offer a cross-section of these materials, can they provide the quantities you need, or will they regularly run out of stock?
Likewise, not all fabric suppliers supply every type of fabric imaginable. You need a supplier who can regularly, and reliably, fulfill your requirements.
If you’re dealing in products that require the industrial fabric, for example, you’ll want to focus your attention on industrial fabric suppliers, or a general supplier that also specializes in industrial fabrics. If you’re in the printing industry, you’ll need to source a supplier of fabrics that are suitable for various types of printing, including large format printing.
Search For Nearby Suppliers Online
With the power of the internet at your fingertips, go online to locate and do some research on fabric suppliers. Depending on the industry you’re in, you might search for terms like:
- Wholesale fabric suppliers
- Fabric supplies for sun protection
- Upholstery fabric suppliers
- Print media fabrics
- Suppliers of curtains and blinds materials
And so on…
Once you’ve found some potential candidates, take the time to visit their websites and do some further research, to establish whether the company can supply you with your needs on a reliable and regular basis. If you have any questions, shoot them an email or call them for clarification.
Search For Independent Reviews and Feedback
While a fabrics supplier might sound like the right one after viewing their website or speaking with them, it’s wise to see if you can find people who have actually done business with the company.
Once again, try searching online for independent reviews and feedback regarding the suppliers you have on your shortlist. Locating independent, positive reviews will affirm that the company will be good to deal with, once again giving you peace of mind.
Word Of Mouth Recommendations
Talk to other people in business who rely on fabric supplies and ask which supplier they do business with. Word of mouth recommendations is often the best, as the person in question has had direct dealings with the company, and therefore has first-hand knowledge of the experience.
You could even pose the question in social media circles for a broader response to your query, as someone will likely know of someone who deals with a fabrics and textiles supplier.
In Conclusion
If you need a reliable fabrics supplier you can truly count on, then it’s worth spending the time it takes to find the right company for you.
