Glass Softshell Fabric for Upholstery — Specification, Uses and Sourcing Notes
Glass Softshell Fabric for Upholstery: Specification, Uses and Sourcing Notes
Glass Softshell Fabric is the version buyers specify for upholstery when the base material is fixed by performance rather than by price. This entry sets out what the material actually changes, which specification to write into the tech pack, and where the cost sits — the three questions that decide whether the item passes bulk approval.
What it is
Glass gives softshell fabric its drape and hand feel. In practice that means the fabric behaves differently in cutting, in finishing and in wear: shrinkage allowance has to be built into the spec. Buyers who specify the material up front avoid the most common failure — an item that looks right on the sample card and behaves differently in bulk.
Typical specification
| Item | Softshell Fabric |
|---|---|
| Base material | Glass |
| Standard size | 180 gsm |
| Common finishes | Soft-Touch Rubber Coating, UV Printing, Antique Copper Finish |
| Processes | Screen Printing, Warp Knitting, Laminating |
| Typical application | Upholstery |
| Related applications | Scarves, Footwear, Boots, Shirts |
| Test standard | CPSIA |
| Usual packing | 500 pieces per polybag, 2000 per carton |
Properties that matter in buying
- Dimensional stability — 1% allowance is built into the spec before cutting.
- Colour fastness — tested to CPSIA on the actual base material, not on a substitute.
- Mechanical performance — abrasion resistance after 30 cycles or washes.
- Compliance — CPSIA documentation issued with the shipment.
- Consistency — the approved counter sample becomes the reference for every reorder.
Common uses
- Uniforms
- Trousers
- Kidswear
- Blazers
- Swimwear
- Footwear
How to specify it
- Name the base material in the tech pack, not just the item.
- Fix the size and tolerance in writing before sampling starts.
- Approve a counter sample made from the actual bulk base material.
- Order the test report against the standard your market requires.
- Retain a golden sample at the factory and a second one with you.
Related reading
Related specifications on this site cover drawstring cord, metal zipper, cord stopper, waterproof zipper, and the processes most often paired with softshell fabric include brushing, embossing, laser cutting.
Send the reference sample or tech pack and we will come back with a costed specification, a sampling timetable and the compliance documents your market requires.
