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Short answer
A sample book shows each colourway of a collection with a label listing its composition, width, weight, rub count, pattern repeat, usage and care. Read the label before falling for the colour: it tells you whether the fabric suits the job and how much you will need. Then judge a large cutting in the actual room, by day and at night, and order the whole job at once so it comes from one dye batch.
What the label tells you
| Label item | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Collection and colourway | The design name, and the colourway's number and colour name | Quote both when ordering; colour names alone are ambiguous |
| Composition | The fibres, by percentage | Care, shrinkage, fading and feel |
| Width | Usable width in cm | How many metres you need; whether it can be railroaded |
| Weight | Grams per square metre (gsm) | Drape, opacity and suitability |
| Martindale | Abrasion resistance, in rubs | Whether it suits seating |
| Repeat | Vertical and horizontal pattern repeat, in cm | Extra fabric for matching |
| Usage | Curtain, upholstery or multi-purpose | What the fabric was made and tested for |
| Care | Washing and cleaning symbols | Whether the curtain can go in the machine |
| Fire rating | The standard it was tested to, if any | Essential for commercial projects |
Composition codes
Labels often use short codes for fibres.
| Code | Fibre |
|---|---|
| PES, PL, POLY | Polyester |
| CO, COT | Cotton |
| LI | Linen |
| PA | Polyamide (nylon) |
| VI, CV | Viscose |
| PAC, AC | Acrylic |
| WO | Wool |
So 92% PES 8% LI is a polyester-linen blend, like TEKUSU ALHAMBRA, and 41% PES 59% COT a cotton-rich blend, like JODI. See The Best Curtain Fabric for Malaysian Homes for how each fibre behaves.
Judging a sample in the room
- Go big. A small swatch exaggerates or hides a colour. Ask for a larger cutting for the final choice.
- Hang it, gather it. Pin it at the window and fold it into pleats. Curtains are made at 2 to 2.5 times fullness, so judge it in folds.
- Morning, afternoon and night. Daylight and lamplight change colour a lot. See How to Choose Curtain Colours.
- With the sofa and walls. Hold it next to the fixed things in the room, not on its own.
- Against the light. For curtains, hold it to the window to see how much light passes and how even the weave is.
Tip
Photograph each sample at the window at the same time of day, with the label in the shot. It makes comparing a shortlist far easier.
Checking the fabric suits the job
- Curtain or upholstery? A curtain fabric may be beautiful on a sofa but lack the rub count. See Martindale Rub Test.
- Light control. Sheer, dimout or blackout; see Blackout vs Dimout vs Sheer.
- Width and direction. Extra-wide fabrics can be railroaded for seamless curtains. See Railroaded Fabric Explained.
- Repeat. Large repeats need more fabric; your curtain maker will allow for it.
Ordering without surprises
- Quote the full code: collection and colourway, not just the colour name.
- One dye batch. Colour can vary slightly between batches. Order everything for a room or project at once, plus any spares.
- Check stock first. Make sure the quantity you need is available in one batch before confirming the job with your client.
- Approve a cutting from the actual batch for large or commercial jobs.
JOTEX publishes every collection's specification on this site. JOTEX dealers can log in for live stock and pricing by colourway, and the team can send samples on request.
Good to know
A sample book is a guide to colour. Small differences between a book swatch and a new batch are normal, which is why larger jobs approve a cutting from the batch itself.
Frequently asked questions
What does PES mean on a fabric label?
Polyester. Other common codes are CO for cotton, LI for linen, PA for polyamide (nylon), VI for viscose and PAC for acrylic.
What is a dye lot?
A batch of fabric dyed at the same time. Colour can vary slightly between lots, so order all the fabric for one room or project from one lot.
What does pattern repeat mean?
The distance before a pattern repeats, measured vertically and horizontally in centimetres. Larger repeats need more fabric to match across joins.
Can I use a curtain fabric for upholstery?
Only for light-wear pieces such as cushions and headboards, unless it has the rub count for seating. Check the usage and Martindale rating on the label.
Why does my fabric look different from the sample?
Lighting, the size of the sample and small batch differences all change how colour reads. Judge a large cutting in the room, and approve one from the actual batch for big jobs.
How do I get JOTEX fabric samples?
Contact the JOTEX team through the contact page. Dealers can also check live stock and pricing by colourway after logging in.
Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?
Specifications are public on every collection page. JOTEX dealers can log in for live stock and pricing, and our team can send samples or open a dealer account.