FAQs

Fabric & Custom Printing FAQs

Find answers about artist-designed fabric, custom printing, base-fabric selection, artwork preparation, pricing, production, shipping and returns.

The Textile District offers two ways to create with fabric: shop original artist-designed fabrics by the yard or print your own artwork on 15+ quality base textiles. Printed fabrics are produced to order in the USA.

Shop Artist-Designed Fabric

Print Your Own Fabric

Getting Started

What is The Textile District?

The Textile District is an online fabric retailer and USA-based digital textile printer offering artist-designed fabrics and custom fabric printing by the yard.

We work with home sewists and individual makers as well as artists, interior and apparel designers, upholsterers, custom clothiers, studios and small-batch businesses.

What makes The Textile District different?

We combine an artist-designed, print-to-order fabric catalog with professional custom textile printing and personal service.

Catalog customers can choose their design, colorway and available base textile to suit the project. Our catalog is developed for long-term, print-to-order availability rather than seasonal inventory sell-through.

Custom-print customers can choose from 15+ quality base textiles and receive personal review of new artwork files before production.

For cotton, linen and cotton-linen blends, we use OEKO-TEX® certified fiber-reactive dyes, then steam, wash and dry the fabric for rich color, a soft hand and lasting wash-and-wear performance.

Do you have a physical retail store?

No. The Textile District is an online fabric retailer. Our custom textile printing operation is based in North Carolina. For help with fabric selection, artwork or a project, visit our Contact Us page.

Shopping Artist-Designed Fabric

How do I order artist-designed fabric?

Browse our fabric catalog, choose your design and colorway, select an available base textile, enter your yardage and add it to your cart. Printed pricing adjusts according to the base fabric selected.

Can I choose the base fabric for an artist-designed print?

Yes. Our print-to-order service lets you pair a design with an available textile that suits your project. Base-fabric choices may vary by design; use the options shown on the product page.

Can I shop by artist or learn more about the designers?

Yes. Participating artists have dedicated Brand pages where you can browse their available fabrics. Visit our Designer Profiles to explore artists, their work and their collections.

Can I reorder an artist-designed fabric later?

Our catalog is built around ongoing, print-to-order availability, making it easier to return to favorite designs for later projects. Individual designs, colorways, collections and base fabrics may change, so permanent availability is not guaranteed.

Choosing the Right Fabric

How do I choose the right base fabric?

Visit Our Fabrics to compare fiber content, weight, printable width, hand, recommended uses, care and printed pricing.

The best choice depends on what you are making. Lightweight cotton, structured upholstery fabric, textured linen and performance polyester behave differently, even when printed with the same design.

Can I see the fabrics before ordering printed yardage?

Yes. The Ground Fabric Swatch Kit contains 5-inch by 5-inch unprinted samples of our current base fabrics. Use it to compare hand, texture, weight and drape. It does not show printed designs or colors.

Does the same design look different on different base fabrics?

Yes. Fiber content, weave, texture and printing process can influence the appearance of a design and its colors. A result approved on one base fabric should not be assumed to represent the same result on another.

Custom Fabric Printing & Ordering

Can I print fabric with my own design?

Yes. Visit Print Custom Fabric, choose your base fabric, enter your yardage and select Continuous Seamless Repeat or Fixed Placement Panel.

Enter the exact print file name(s) in Special Instructions, identify each as NEW or REPRINT, and specify the yardage for each file if submitting multiple designs. After checkout, transfer new print-ready artwork through Dropbox or WeTransfer and include your order number.

You must own the necessary rights or have permission to reproduce the artwork through TTD for your intended use. See the artwork and permissions guidance below.

What is the minimum custom fabric order?

The minimum custom print order is 1 yard.

Can I evaluate my artwork before ordering a larger quantity?

Yes. You may order a production-quality proof on your selected base fabric to evaluate color, scale, repeat and placement before larger production. Proofs follow the same printing and finishing process as production yardage and are subject to our standard minimum order and pricing.

If you want to make changes after reviewing the printed fabric, update your artwork and evaluate the revised file before proceeding with a larger order.

What is the difference between the Swatch Kit, Color Library and a printed proof?

Ground Fabric Swatch Kit: Unprinted samples for comparing fabric hand, texture, weight and drape.
Custom Print Color Library: Printed color references for artwork and color planning.
Printed proof: Your own artwork printed on your selected base fabric to evaluate its finished appearance.

Can you help with larger, commercial or specialty projects?

Yes. For multiple designs, engineered panels, special substrates, unusual finishing or larger production requirements, contact us with your project details before ordering.

Can I supply my own fabric for printing?

Customer-supplied fabric is not part of our standard online offering. Specialty projects may be considered depending on the substrate, testing requirements and production volume. Contact us before sending any fabric or other materials.

Artwork, Permissions & File Setup

What artwork specifications do you require?

Submit print-ready artwork at the exact scale you want printed.

Resolution: 300 DPI at final print size.
Color mode: RGB or Lab.
Preferred file formats: TIFF or JPG. PNG is also acceptable.
Scale: Size your artwork for the intended finished print.
Seamless patterns: Files should tile cleanly horizontally and vertically.
Panels: Fixed-placement artwork must fit within the selected fabric’s printable width.
Background color: Our base fabrics are white. Include any desired background color in your artwork.

For preparation guidance, visit Digital Fabric Printing Basics. Check Our Fabrics for printable widths.

How do I send my artwork?

After checkout, transfer new print-ready artwork through Dropbox or WeTransfer to info@thetextiledistrict.com. Include your order number and use the same file names entered in Special Instructions.

Can I submit artwork created by someone else?

Only if you have the necessary permission or license from the rights holder or its authorized representative. Written authorization must cover fabric printing by TTD, the quantities ordered and your intended use, including resale where applicable.

Purchasing or downloading a digital file does not, by itself, establish permission to reproduce it on fabric. You are responsible for obtaining and retaining the appropriate authorization.

Can you print characters, logos, branded designs or fan art?

These submissions are subject to the same rights requirements as other artwork. Describing a design as “fan art,” “inspired by,” or “for personal use” does not, by itself, establish reproduction rights.

We may request written confirmation and supporting documentation before production. TTD may hold, decline or cancel an order if requested information is not provided or concerns about authorization remain. Payment or an order confirmation does not guarantee acceptance of submitted artwork.

See our Terms of Sale for the complete intellectual property requirements and customer responsibilities.

Does someone review my artwork before printing?

Yes. A member of our team reviews each new custom print file for common production and setup issues. If something needs attention, we contact you before production.

This review does not verify copyright, trademark or licensing rights. You remain responsible for your artwork, permissions, color choices, scale and final file setup.

Will you resize, recolor or alter my artwork?

We do not automatically resize, recolor or otherwise alter your artwork. Submit files at final print scale. If changes are needed, we will discuss them with you before production; you may need to revise and resubmit the file.

Do I retain ownership of my artwork?

You retain any ownership rights you hold. Submitting artwork gives TTD the limited permission needed to process and fulfill your order. It does not authorize us to market your artwork or offer it for sale to other customers without separate authorization. See our Terms of Sale.

How should I name my files?

Use clear names identifying the design and colorway, and enter those exact names in your order’s Special Instructions.

Example: BrandName_DesignName_ColorName.tif

What repeat types can you print?

We support continuous seamless repeats and fixed-placement panels. Pattern layouts can include block, half-drop, half-brick and mirrored repeats. Your submitted file should be prepared for the intended layout; contact us if you need setup guidance.

Visit Digital Fabric Printing Basics for examples.

Color, Printing & Care

How are cotton, linen and cotton-linen fabrics printed?

These fabrics are direct printed with OEKO-TEX® certified fiber-reactive dyes, then steamed, washed and dried. This process produces rich color and crisp detail while preserving a soft hand and dependable wash-and-wear performance.

How are polyester fabrics printed?

Poly Spandex 4-Way Knit, Polyester Linen and Polyester Fleece are sublimation printed. Polyester Outdoor uses a specialized printing process and formulation designed for water-repellent performance and 500+ hours of UV lightfastness.

Do you offer pigment printing?

Pigment printing is available by special request for suitable projects. Contact us with your substrate, intended use and expected yardage before ordering, and include any agreed printing requirements in your order instructions.

Do you print on colored fabrics?

Our standard base fabrics have white grounds. Include any desired background color in your artwork file.

Will printed colors match my screen exactly?

No. Screens emit light, while fabric reflects it. Screen settings, artwork color space, the fabric and viewing conditions can affect perceived color.

The Custom Print Color Library provides printed references for color planning. For evaluating your complete artwork on a particular fabric, see the proofing information under Custom Fabric Printing & Ordering.

Is printed fabric colorfast?

Our printing and finishing processes are designed for lasting color under normal use and recommended care. Performance depends on the fabric, intended use, laundering, environmental exposure and wear.

Do I need to prewash my printed fabric?

No. Natural-fiber fabrics are steamed, washed and dried during production and arrive finished and ready to sew. Polyester and specialty fabrics also arrive production-ready.

How should I care for my printed fabric?

Follow the recommendations for your selected textile on Our Fabrics. Care requirements depend on the fabric and finished project.

Will natural-fiber fabric shrink?

Natural-fiber fabrics are steamed, washed and dried during production. Some additional dimensional change may occur with future laundering, depending on the fabric and care method.

Do you print stretch fabric?

Yes. Poly Spandex 4-Way Stretch Knit is available for projects requiring stretch and recovery, including activewear, swimwear and dancewear. Visit Our Fabrics for specifications.

Pricing, Volume & Production

How much does printed fabric cost?

Pricing is based on the base textile you select, whether you shop our artist-designed catalog or print your own artwork. Product pricing updates with your fabric selection.

Compare base-fabric prices and specifications on Our Fabrics. Visit Custom Fabric Pricing for details about volume discounts.

Do you offer volume discounts?

Yes. The following discounts apply to qualifying artist-designed and custom printed fabric orders on the same base textile:

1–50 yards: Listed price.
51–100 yards: 5% discount.
101–150 yards: 10% discount.
151–200 yards: 15% discount.
201+ yards: 20% discount.

Yardage on different base textiles is calculated separately.

Can multiple designs count toward volume pricing?

Yes. Qualifying designs and colorways may be combined toward a volume threshold when printed on the same eligible base textile. For a larger order with multiple files or special requirements, contact us for help organizing the order.

How long does fabric printing take?

Standard production turnaround is approximately 10–12 business days once the order and required print-ready artwork are complete and ready for production. Missing files, unresolved setup or permission questions, and specialty production requirements may affect timing.

Shipping transit time is additional. Our standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

Do you accept rush orders?

We do not accept rush orders. Orders are scheduled for production once all required information and print-ready artwork are complete. To keep scheduling fair for every customer, we do not move an order ahead of others already scheduled.

Please allow for both production and shipping time when planning your project.

How is fabric packaged?

Orders of 3 yards or more are shipped rolled on a core to help minimize folds and creases. Orders of 1–2 yards are generally shipped folded. Larger production orders may have additional packaging options depending on the project.

Business, Reorders & Fulfillment

Can The Textile District support a small business or product line?

Yes. We work with makers, artists, studios and businesses needing occasional custom yardage or ongoing production. Personal review of new files, retained production files and qualifying volume pricing help support repeat orders and coordinated product lines.

Do you save approved custom print files for reorders?

Yes. Approved production files are retained for future reorders. If your artwork is unchanged, identify the file as a REPRINT and provide its exact name in your order instructions. If you are unsure which file was previously used, include the earlier order number and contact us.

Slight variation between production runs can occur. Using the same file and base fabric does not guarantee an exact color match to an earlier order.

Can you ship custom printed fabric directly to my customer?

Yes. White-label fulfillment is available for delivery within the United States. Contact us before ordering to arrange fulfillment details and discuss ongoing requirements.

Designer Program for Artists

Do you have a Designer Program?

Yes. Our curated fabric licensing program is for independent artists and surface pattern designers interested in an ongoing presence within our artist-designed catalog.

The program is separate from custom printing. Artists who manage their own fabric sales may use our custom printing service without joining the Designer Program.

Is the Designer Program exclusive?

No. The program is non-exclusive, subject to the rights and other terms in each artist’s Designer Agreement.

Can artists promote their Textile District fabrics?

Yes. We encourage participating artists to share their Textile District fabrics through their websites, newsletters, social media and other appropriate channels.

What does The Textile District expect from participating artists?

We value continuity, timely communication and active participation in helping customers discover the artist’s collections.

Participating artists receive a Brand page and Designer Profile. Collections may also receive support through merchandising, editorial content, social media and seasonal marketing. Participation and promotion do not guarantee sales.

What does evergreen mean for artist-designed fabrics?

Our catalog is developed for ongoing, print-to-order availability rather than seasonal inventory sell-through. This helps customers return to favorite designs and colorways for later projects.

Evergreen does not guarantee permanent availability. Designs, collections and program participation may be reviewed and changed over time.

Where can I learn more?

Visit our Designer Program page for program information, expectations and the inquiry process.

Shipping & Returns

Where do you ship?

We ship within the United States. International shipping and international direct-to-customer fulfillment are not offered.

How much does shipping cost?

Shipping charges depend on the items ordered, packaging and delivery destination. Available methods and quoted charges are shown at checkout before payment and are subject to verification under our Terms of Sale.

Does the Ground Fabric Swatch Kit ship with printed fabric?

The Ground Fabric Swatch Kit ships separately from printed fabric orders. Review the shipping charges shown at checkout for your order.

What if my US delivery address does not receive a shipping quote?

Contact us with the delivery address and order details so we can review the available shipping options.

How long does delivery take after shipment?

Standard shipping is typically via FedEx Ground. Allow approximately 5–8 business days for standard delivery after shipment. Transit time is separate from production time, and delivery estimates are not guaranteed.

Do you accept returns?

Printed fabric is custom produced to the specifications of your order and cannot be returned unless damaged or defective. We do not accept returns for damage caused by normal wear and tear.

Inspect your order immediately upon receipt and notify us of any damage or manufacturing defects within 30 days of receipt.

How do I report damage or a manufacturing defect?

Use our Contact Us form and include your order number, the reason for the return request, and whether you would prefer a replacement or refund. Retain the original packaging and contact us for return instructions.

Returned items must be in their original packaging. Approved refunds are issued to the original payment method. See our Terms of Sale for the complete policy.

Still Have Questions?

For help choosing a fabric, preparing artwork, placing an order or planning a production project, contact The Textile District.