Fabric Grades Demystified: What They Mean for Upholstery Projects
Introduction
When it comes to choosing upholstery fabric, how it looks is only half the story. You also want to know: how well will it perform over time? Will the colour last? Will it resist rubbing, pilling, tearing?
That’s where fabric grading comes in—a set of technical performance tests used across the industry to measure durability, longevity, and suitability for upholstery. But what do these grades actually mean?
In this guide, we break down the most important fabric performance metrics—and show you exactly how Saint and Poet fabrics are graded, so you can choose with complete confidence.
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What Are Fabric Grades?
Fabric grades are scores assigned to specific technical tests. These standardised tests evaluate how a fabric performs under pressure—literally. They measure things like:
• Abrasion resistance
• Colourfastness to light or rubbing
• Pilling
• Tear strength
These results help manufacturers, upholsterers, and designers determine how well a fabric will perform in real-world use—from busy living rooms to commercial lobbies.
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Saint and Poet’s Grading Results
All of our upholstery fabrics undergo performance testing to ensure exceptional everyday durability without compromising on artistic detail or handfeel.
Here’s how our fabrics are graded across key categories:
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🟦 Martindale Rub Test: 35,000+ Rubs
What it tests:
How many cycles of abrasion the fabric can withstand before showing wear.
Why it matters:
It’s the most widely used durability test for upholstery.
• Domestic use standard: 20,000+
• Commercial use: 30,000+
Our result:
35,000+ rubs
→ ✅ Excellent for both home and contract use
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🟨 Colour Fastness to Rubbing (Dry):
BS EN ISO 105 x12:2016 – Grade B
What it tests:
How much colour rubs off onto other materials during dry friction.
Why it matters:
Prevents colour transfer from cushions, upholstery, or high-use areas.
Our result:
Grade B
→ ✅ Strong colour stability in everyday use
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🌞 Colour Fastness to Light:
BS EN ISO 105 b02:2014 – Grade B
What it tests:
How much the fabric fades when exposed to light over time.
Why it matters:
Essential for sunny rooms, conservatories, and near windows.
Our result:
Grade B
→ ✅ Resists moderate fading, suitable for natural-light interiors
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🧵 Pilling Resistance:
Martindale Method BS EN ISO 12945-2: 2000 – Grade A
What it tests:
Whether the surface forms fuzz or small balls (pills) with use.
Why it matters:
Keeps your fabric looking clean and fresh over time.
Our result:
Grade A
→ ✅ Outstanding resistance to pilling
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🪡 Resistance to Tearing: Grade A
What it tests:
The force required to tear the fabric.
Why it matters:
A high tear strength means better resilience around seams, edges, or stretched surfaces.
Our result:
Grade A
→ ✅ Excellent structural integrity
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Why These Results Matter
These grades confirm that Saint and Poet fabrics are:
• ✅ Durable enough for heavy-use furniture
• ✅ Colourfast across different lighting and usage conditions
• ✅ Long-lasting in both residential and commercial environments
Whether you’re specifying for a high-end living room or a boutique hotel, these results back up our commitment to quality—without ever sacrificing style or softness.
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Fabric That’s Built to Last and Inspire
All of this performance happens underneath the surface of our digitally printed, design-led fabrics. Explore our Exhibit Collection for prints that push artistic boundaries while meeting commercial-grade durability. Or browse blue upholstery fabrics for colourways that age gracefully and stay crisp under pressure.
Want to know more about how print methods influence performance? See our recent blog:
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Final Thoughts
Fabric grades aren’t just technical—they’re tools for creative confidence. Knowing that your chosen textile can handle the demands of real life—while holding onto its beauty—is what makes great design truly work.
Browse high-performance fabrics with verified durability and print quality and bring expressive, enduring design into your next project.
