A Quality Inspector‘s Approach to Kravet Textile Buying: A 5-Step Checklist to Maximize Your ROI

Who This Checklist Is For

If you’re an interior designer sourcing for a hospitality project, or a furniture manufacturer specifying for a 50-unit order, this checklist is for you. It’s designed for anyone who’s ever stood in a Kravet fabric showroom and wondered: “Am I making the right call on this fabric?”

There are five steps. Each one has a check point. Do them in order, and you’ll avoid the three biggest mistakes I see in textile procurement: underestimating lead times, ignoring total cost, and missing the fine print on discontinued lines.

Step 1: Vet the Showroom vs. Online Sampling

Most people walk into a Kravet fabric showroom and grab the first swatch that looks good under those flattering showroom lights. Don’t. Instead, bring a list of your project’s specific requirements—flame retardancy, rub count, lightfastness. At the showroom, ask to see the fabric on a roll, not just the swatch.

If you’re buying bedding online, especially fall bedding sets for a contract order, request a large memosample (at least 12x12 inches). I’ve seen pattern repeats that looked completely different when scaled up. In one case in Q1 2024, a client ordered 200 yards of a Kravet upholstery fabric for a hotel, and the repeat didn’t align with the headboard dimensions. That cost us a $4,000 redo. So check the repeat length against your application before you commit.

Check point: Did you verify the roll width and pattern repeat against your project specs? If not, go back.

Step 2: Handle Discontinued Fabrics Like a Pro

Kravet is known for rotating collections, so Kravet discontinued fabrics are a real risk, especially for multi-year projects. If you’re ordering yardage for a phased project—say, furniture for a hotel that’s opening in two phases—and you discover the fabric is being discontinued halfway through, you’re stuck.

Here’s what I do: When I first select a fabric, I ask the showroom manager directly: “Is this a current collection with stock availability for the next six months?” Write down their answer. Then check the official Kravet website or call customer service to confirm. I still kick myself for trusting a verbal assurance on a discontinued velvet in 2023—the vendor said “plenty of stock,” but by week three, there were only 40 yards left. If I’d asked for a written inventory commitment, I’d have either secured the full quantity upfront or chosen a different fabric.

Check point: Did you get written confirmation of stock availability for the next six months? If not, ask now.

Step 3: Evaluate Fall Bedding Sets with a Custom Linen

For fall bedding sets, Kravet’s performance fabrics are a smart choice—they look premium but handle well. But don’t assume the “set” is a one-size-fits-all solution. If you’re ordering for a hotel chain, the duvet cover might fit a standard bed, but what about the pillow shams? I’ve run into issues where the sham sizes didn’t match the contract spec.

When I was sourcing bedding online for a 50-room boutique hotel in 2022, I ordered a set from a different supplier that claimed “luxury quality.” The fabric pilled after three washes. That was a $22,000 mistake. Now I only consider bedding where I’ve tested the fabric for abrasion resistance. For Kravet’s performance bedding, ask about the Martindale rub count—anything above 30,000 is good for commercial use.

Check point: Have you tested the fabric’s abrasion resistance for your specific use case? If not, request a sample for testing.

Step 4: Calculate Total Cost of Ownership

Here’s where the total cost thinking mindset kicks in. The price per yard is just the start. When comparing Kravet fabrics to alternatives, include: setup fees (if any), shipping, and—this is the big one—the cost of potential reorders.

I remember working on a project where the client chose a cheaper non-Kravet fabric for fall bedding sets. The base price was 30% lower. But after accounting for the cost of re-cutting because of shrinkage, plus a rush fee to meet the deadline, the total came to $1,200 more than if they’d gone with Kravet from the start. I now calculate TCO for every fabric decision. Use this formula: (yardage price + shipping + rush fees + potential reorder cost).

Check point: Have you calculated the TCO for your chosen fabric versus its alternatives? If not, do it now.

Step 5: Build a Relationship with the Vendor

Your relationship with the Kravet showroom or your Kravet distributor matters more than you think. I’ve saved countless hours by having a go-to contact who knows my preferences and can pre-screen fabrics for availability. They’ll also warn you about Kravet discontinued fabrics before the official list is published.

The best part of this approach: no more 2am worry sessions about whether the inventory will arrive. After you’ve placed your order, follow up weekly for the first three weeks. That’s when problems surface. And always ask: “Can I get a call if there’s a delay?” Most vendors will say yes.

Check point: Do you have a dedicated contact at the showroom? If not, ask for one now.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring fabric care. If you’re specifying how to remove stains from satin fabric, it’s almost impossible without professional cleaning. So avoid satin for high-traffic areas. Instead, choose a performance fabric that you can spot-clean.

2. Assuming stock is infinite. Kravet’s showrooms carry a curated selection, but if the fabric is popular, it can be discontinued without notice. Always check availability before signing a contract.

3. Overlooking the fine print on warranties. Performance fabrics like Crypton or Sunbrella have specific care requirements. If you use the wrong cleaning agents, the warranty may not cover it. I learned this the hard way in 2019 when a client ruined 8,000 yards by using bleach.

Prices as of January 2025; verify current rates with your Kravet rep.