Kravet Fabric Orders: What I Check Before I Use That Trade Login

Look, ordering Kravet fabric is easy. Ordering the right Kravet fabric—for the right end use, with a realistic delivery date, and without a costly surprise—is not. The single most expensive mistake I see in trade fabric orders is assuming “performance” means waterproof, and “waterproof” means durable. I’ve made that mistake. It cost thousands.

I’m a fabric specifier and project manager for an interior design firm. I’ve been handling trade orders for Kravet and other textile lines for 9 years. In that time, I’ve personally made and documented 31 significant order mistakes, totaling roughly $18,600 in wasted budget. That’s not counting the embarrassment of telling a client their new “green velvet” chair looks like a bath mat.

So let’s get the obvious stuff out of the way: use the trade login, read the spec sheet, order samples, and if you’re replacing a “green velvet sod” image with an actual upholstery velvet, do not skip the performance check.

Use the Kravet Fabrics Login—This Is Not Optional

Here’s the thing: the Kravet fabrics login isn’t just a portal to pretty pictures. It’s where you check real-time stock, trade pricing, swatch requests, and order status. Treat it as a tool, not a formality.

In my first year, I made the classic rookie mistake: I called a sales rep, described a fabric, and trusted the description without logging in. The result? I ordered 45 yards of a beautiful woven with a subtle metallic thread. The order showed up, but 12 yards were on backorder for six weeks. That cost me a $1,900 delay on a furniture project and a very uncomfortable conversation with a very unhappy designer. I’ve never skipped the login check since. And if you’re on a deadline, a backordered fabric is not a minor problem—it’s a budget problem. Paying for a guaranteed, available alternative is often cheaper than waiting for a “maybe.”

Also: if your Kravet fabrics login stops working, call. Don’t assume your account was closed or that you’re being phased out. In Q1 2024, I wasted a full day because I assumed the problem was my password. It wasn’t. The account had simply been flagged for a missing W-9. A five-minute phone call fixed it. “Maybe it’s my password” is the default excuse that costs you time.

Kravet Smart Fabrics Are Not Magic—But They Are Different

From the outside, it looks like “Kravet Smart Fabrics” means you can spill red wine on your sofa and walk away. The reality is more useful: it means the fabric has been engineered for durable performance—often with stain resistance, cleanability, abrasion resistance, or moisture repellency, sometimes with Crypton or Sunbrella technology. But it is not all “waterproof,” and not all smart fabrics are equal.

A lot of designers assume “performance fabric” is a single category. It’s not. Some performance fabrics have a waterproof membrane. Some are simply more stain-resistant than a standard velvet. Some will laugh at spills; some will laugh at you if you pour water on them. That’s why I never approve a performance fabric for a project without reading the actual technical spec sheet.

Honestly, I’m not sure why “performance” got conflated with “waterproof” in the design world. My best guess: it makes for an easier client conversation. But in the real world, if you need water to bead up and not soak through, you have to ask for a waterproof barrier or a specific liquid-proof construction. “Performance” alone is not enough.

“Green Velvet Sod” Is Probably Not About Grass

Search data is weird. One of my favorite recurring phrases is “green velvet sod.” If you typed that, you’re probably looking for a dense, plush green velvet—not a product for your lawn. Or maybe you’re a gardener with very specific taste. I’m going to assume it’s the fabric.

Velvet is gorgeous. It’s also a pile weave, which means it crushes, watermarks easily, and shows every dog paw. If you want a green velvet sofa that looks like a perfectly mowed lawn, you need to specify a performance velvet. Kravet has plenty of green velvets, and some are offered in high-traffic or cleanable constructions. But regular velvet in a family room? I’ve been there, and I do not recommend it.

I once specified a vivid green velvet for a banquette in a casual dining area. It was stunning on the sample. Six months later, the seat looked less like “green velvet sod” and more like a well-worn putting green. Re-upholstering that banquette cost $2,400 and a week of downtime. The lesson: velvet is an accent, not a default. Or at least, make sure it’s a performance velvet.

Cotton Blend Jersey Fabric: Know the Stretch

Another search term that often shows up in fabric queries is cotton blend jersey fabric. It’s a knit, not a woven. That means it stretches, drapes beautifully, and feels like a favorite t-shirt. It’s great for slipcovers, throw pillows, upholstered headboards, and casual curtains. It is usually not great for tight upholstery.

Here’s where I learned that lesson: I ordered 20 yards of a cotton blend jersey for an ottoman. The client loved the softness. The fabric also stretched, pulled, and sagged within four months. We had to redo it with a woven textile at double the cost. A little stretch sounds flexible; in upholstery, it means trouble.

If you do use cotton blend jersey fabric, expect some shrinkage if it’s washed, and plan for careful seam allowances because the edges can roll. Ask for a knit with a higher synthetic content if you need more recovery. But for the love of all that is tailored, do not put jersey on tight seating.

What Kind of Fabric Is Waterproof?

If you’re searching “what kind of fabric is waterproof,” I’ll give you the direct answer: no fabric is “waterproof” because of the fiber alone. It’s a construction claim, not a material property. You can make cotton waterproof by coating it with rubber. You can make polyester waterproof by laminating it with TPU or PVC. Wool resists water for a while, but it’s not a barrier.

• Vinyl (PVC) upholstery textiles
• Coated polyester or nylon
• TPU-laminated fabrics
• PUL (polyurethane laminate), used often in medical and baby products

For furniture, many outdoor and performance fabrics are water-resistant. That means they can handle rain or spills reasonably well, but they will eventually absorb moisture if water sits on them. If you genuinely need a liquid-proof substrate—for a medical lounge, a boat cushion, a restaurant banquette—request a “waterproof barrier” and ask for a technical data sheet. Words like “outdoor” and “performance” do not guarantee that.

This is a good place for my professional boundary: I’m a specifier, not a textile chemist. I can tell you what has worked in my projects, but I can’t speak to chemical durability ratings or regulatory requirements. If you need something truly impermeable for safety or healthcare, consult a specialist and test samples before you order.

Before You Click Order

Not a lecture. Just a checklist I wish someone had given me:

• Log in to the Kravet fabrics login and verify availability, not just the color.
• Read the spec sheet for abrasion, cleaning code, and whether it’s performance-rated.
• Order samples and live with them. A swatch in daylight is worth a thousand JPEGs.
• Ask yourself: does this end use require waterproof, water-resistant, or merely stain-resistant?
• If it’s velvet, add “will this survive the people who sit on it?” to the final question.

This is based on my own experience, and I’m the first to admit my experience is not universal. Fabric lines get discontinued, Kravet’s login system changes, and sample availability varies. Kravet’s trade site (accessed January 2025) remains the best place to verify current stock, pricing, and login details. Always verify current stock and pricing with Kravet directly. The goal isn’t to avoid mistakes entirely—that’s impossible. The goal is to make the mistakes that cost $50, not the ones that cost $2,400.