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Published by NannetteD on 19th Jul 2016

How to Create Custom Fabric by the Yard: FAQ Guide

Whether you're sewing your first quilt or designing custom upholstery, The Textile District makes it easy to order custom printed fabric by the yard in just a few steps. Below you'll find answers to the most common questions makers ask when getting started.

How do I create custom fabric with The Textile District?

You can create your own custom fabric in just 3 easy steps:

Choose a design and colorway from our artist-designed catalog.
Select a base fabric from over 15 options for apparel, quilting, and home décor.
Enter the quantity you need (by the yard) and add to cart!

Can I choose different fabric types?

Yes! We offer more than 15 base fabric options, including:

Cotton Sheeting/Poplin
Premium Cotton Quilt
Cotton Sateen
Linens and Cotton/Linen Blends
Cotton Canvas
Cotton Pima Lawn
Upholstery-weight Twill
Poly Spandex 4-way Stretch Knit
Outdoor Polyester

Each fabric has a different weight, drape, and finish to suit your specific project. Learn more on our Fabrics page.

What if I’m not sure which fabric is best for my project?

We recommend ordering our Ground Fabric Swatch Kit, which includes 5" x 5" unprinted samples of each fabric we carry. This lets you feel the texture and weight before printing.

Order Your Swatch Kit Here

How do I make sure the printed colors are accurate?

For the best results, print a one-yard sample of the design on your chosen fabric. This shows how colors appear when printed on specific substrates, helping you visualize tone and vibrancy for your specific project.

Color can shift slightly depending on:

Fabric texture and light reflection (smooth vs. textured)
Natural vs. synthetic fibers
Lighting in your space
Print file resolution and format (when printing your own designs)

For large projects, we strongly recommend testing colors before printing in bulk.

Can I match a specific color or swatch?

Yes! If you have a target color or sample you want to match, send us a note through our Contact Us page. Our team will be happy to help guide your order.

What printing method do you use?

We use high resolution digital fabric printing with fiber reactive dyes, heat, water, and pressure. This produces:

Rich, saturated color
Soft, natural fabric hand (feel)
Excellent wash and wear performance

All natural fabrics are steamed, washed, and dried post-print to lock in color within the textile fibers.

How do I place a fabric order?

Click on any design to open the product page.
Select your preferred base fabric.
Choose your colorway by clicking the swatch icon.
Enter the quantity you want (in yards).
Add to cart and check out!

You can start with just 1 yard.

What makes The Textile District different?

Print-on-demand: Order only what you need.
No minimums: Start with a single yard.
Wide selection: Hundreds of artist-designed prints.
Superior color quality: Vibrant results that last.
U.S.-based service: Friendly, expert support.

Do you offer samples or previews before printing large projects?

Yes! In addition to our ground fabric swatch kit, you can print a one-yard custom fabric sample to test both the design and colorway on your selected base fabric before committing to a larger order.

Can I stay updated on new fabric collections?

Absolutely! Join our email list to get:

Exclusive previews of new designs
Fabric and product updates
Special offers and discounts

Join the Mailing List >>

Still Have Questions?

Call us at 704-814-0712
Visit our FAQ page
Or contact us directly through our Contact Form

The Textile District makes it easy to print custom fabric by the yard—designed by artists, powered by vibrant color, and tailored to your creative vision. Let's print something beautiful.