Table Covers – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fabric used on most table cover products?
Polyester Fabric (Poly Poplin, Poly Premier, Banjo Cloth).
What fabric is used for Contour Covers?
Polyester / Spandex type of fabric that is stretchy and conforms to a table shape.
Flame retardant or flame proof… what’s the difference?
This means that the fabrics that are noted as being flame retardant are resistant to burning but are not flame proof.
Are all your fabrics flame retardant?
No. Some fabrics are treated to be flame retardant and others are naturally flame retardant, like Banjo cloth. Other polyester fabrics are not flame retardant at all (some Poplins).
Does a flame retardant certificate ship with all orders?
Yes, for fabrics that have been treated to be flame retardant.
What is the best polyester fabric used for table covers?
Our twill is the heaviest fabric (12 ounces per yard) and has tightest weave along with having consistent dye lot fabric colors. The other fabrics we offer are great too and all have their benefits.
What is Twill fabric?
Our highest end event fabric that offers numerous colors, is flame retardant, color fast, prints extremely well and has a quality and dense twill weave. Weight: 12 ounces per yard.
What is a “Twill Weave”?
A type of weaving pattern with diagonal parallel ribs that makes a step pattern. This helps Twill fabrics drape better.
How are the edges of table cover fabrics finished?
The edges of all products are “serged” or “merrowed” meaning the edges are bound by thread.
What is Poly Poplin?
Poly poplin fabric is a lighter weight polyester fabric. Weight per yard varies.
What is the difference between Twill and Poly Poplin?
Both are great fabrics and are used extensively. Twill is a higher quality polyester fabric and is flame retardant with a weight of 12 ounces per yard. Poly Poplin is lighter weight than Twill and usually costs less. It also has flame retardant and non-FR versions.
What is Banjo Cloth?
Banjo cloth is also a polyester fabric that is naturally flame retardant. It has an open weave and is therefore lighter and easier to see through than heavier fabrics. It is very popular in the event industry.
Will there be seams in my table cover product?
It’s always a good idea to ask about individual products. Bolts of fabric always come in a specific width that we have to use to our best advantage. Some products, like shirred skirting hide seams well. Other products like some open back throw covers may not have a seam depending on the table dimensions, but closed back throws will show a seam in the back. Fitted sets use seams to fit the dimensions of the table and contour covers always have seams along the edges.
Is fabric color consistent? If I order the same thing a year from now, will the color be the same?
Twill fabric offers extremely consistent dye lot colors. Other fabrics may not be as consistent.
Are the table cover fabrics opaque?
None of the table cover fabrics are absolutely opaque, but they do a wonderful job covering tables and look great.
Print Methods for Table Covers
What is silk screen printing?
Special inks are mixed to match Pantone colors used on corporate logos and art. Ink is pushed through a template screen to print the logo onto the fabric. Silk screening table covers are great for matching PMS colors.
Can you match a Pantone (PMS) color using silk screen?
We never say we can match absolutely 100% but the final result is usually 99.99% spot on!
What is Full Color or Dye Sublimation Printing?
Dye-sub printing allows you to add full color images to fabric. It utilizes a specialized process that binds the printed image directly to the fibers of the fabric.
Can you match PMS colors for Dye-Sub printing?
It is close, depending on the color, but we do not guarantee and exact match. If colors are critical, it is best to order a printed proof to check color accuracy.
What is Heat Transfer Printing?
Using vinyl prints or cut outs that are heat pressed onto fabric to apply graphics to a table cover product. Full color printing is available or colored vinyl can be cut to make logos or text.
Can you match PMS colors using heat transfer printing?
Cut out logos use colored vinyl, so you are limited to the available color choices.
Full color vinyl prints can get close to matching Pantone colors but it is best to order a printed proof to make sure.
What is the lead time for printed items?
Usually 5-10 business days, but rush service may be available for certain products. It’s best to order early!
Is rush service available?
On certain products, we can ship the following day if the order is turned in early enough in the day.
What type of graphic file do I need to send you?
For silk screen and heat transfer, we work with original vector art created in Adobe Illustrator. But if you have a copy of your logo in a PDF, usually that will contain the vector art we need. If not, we can recreate the logo or art for you. For full color dye-sub printing several different file types are acceptable. It can be vector art, JPG, Photoshop files or a combination of both.
Are a jpg, bmp, gif or tif files vector art?
No, these file types are similar to photos.
How does repeat printing work?
Your artwork (usually a logo) is repeated several times over shirred skirting, drapes or table throws. It is evenly spaced and size limited.
Can you manipulate “Vector” art?
Yes, vector art can be altered in shape and in color.
Which printing method is the most accurate for PMS colors?
Silk screen is the most accurate, but extremely close results are available with other types of printing.
Throw Covers
What is a table throw cover?
A throw is a one-piece table cover that is “thrown” over the table to cover it.
Can you order custom sizes?
Absolutely! Just give us the dimensions of the table you are trying to cover.
What is an Economy, Open Back or Conference Cut Table Throw?
This type of throw cover covers 3 sides of the table: Front & 2 sides along with the top. Usually in the back, 4-6 inches of fabric overhang.
What is a Standard Throw?
It covers all four sides of a table plus the top.
What is an Adjust-2-Fit or a Convertible Throw Cover?
A throw cover that is designed to fit on 6’ and 8’ wide tables using folds and hook and loop tabs.
Will there be a seam?
It depends on the throw. Open back throws may not have a seam if you are using a standard height table. Standard throw covers will probably have a seam in the back.
Are the corners rounded or squared on throws?
Both are available depending on the product, but rounded is the standard.
Do we make throws for round tables?
We can make throw covers for any shaped table.
Can throws be printed?
We can print on throw covers using a variety of methods: Silk Screen, Full Color and Vinyl Heat Transfer.
Contour Table Covers
What are Contour Covers?
Contour & UltraFit Covers are made of a stretch spandex polyester fabric blend that makes them conform to the shape of the table they are placed over.
Can you print on them?
Yes, there are several print methods available including full color dye-sublimation and full color heat transfer (TIP).
Are custom sizes available?
Yes, for Contour Covers. UltraFit only fits on a certain size table (the 2 most common sizes).
What types of tables do Contour Covers fit on?
Contour Covers will fit on most table shapes, even cocktail tables as long as there are four feet to attach to.
Table Skirting
What is table skirting?
Basically table skirts cover the perimeter of a table and attach with clips, hook and loop or staples. They usually are pleated like drapes.
What are the different types of skirting?
The pleat styles and fabrics types are what differentiate table skirts.
How does skirting attach to a table?
Table clips are usually used. Skirting attaches to the clips with hook and loop. Be sure to select the table clip that will fit your table edge. There are a number of different sizes.
What is a table topper?
A table topper covers the top of a table for use with table skirts. The topper is installed first, followed by the clips and then attaching hook and loop strips.
What are the pleat styles for skirting?
Shirred, Accordion and Box Pleats.
Is the box pleat on skirting more expensive than shirred?
Generally yes, but it depends on the product. There is usually more labor and fabric involved in making box or accordion pleats.
Do we offer a storage system for table skirting?
Yes, there are special hanging carts and hangers to keep everything from wrinkling.
What is Flat Panel Shirred skirting?
If you want to make a section of your table skirt flat for printing, we can make that section flat to make room for a logo, message or artwork.
Can I order custom sized table skirts?
Absolutely! Just give us the dimensions you need or the table size.
Do we sell table skirting by the foot?
Yes, we offer all pleat styles by the foot. Note: Shirred can be an exact width, but box and accordion pleats may be +/- a half inch.
Do you have to worry about seams for skirts?
Not really. With shirred or pleated skirts, seams are hidden very well.
How much space is left at the floor for table skirting?
One inch. For example, if the table height is 30”, we make Twill skirts 29” high so that there is a little space between the floor and the skirt. Please specify table size when ordering.
Can table skirting be printed?
We can print on skirting using repeat print, silk screen, vinyl heat transfer and full color dye-sub printing.
Fitted Sets
What are fitted sets?
A fitted set is a table skirt and table topper that is sewn together to fit a specific sized table.
What is a flat panel fitted set?
Flat panel fitted sets do not have pleats. The front, sides and back are flat. This is usually done so that there is a flat area to print.
Does a fitted set us clips like table skirting for attachment to the table?
No. The topper is already sewn onto the skirt and all you have to do is slip the fitted set over the table to install.
Can fitted sets be printed?
Just like the other table cover products, fitted sets can be printed using all the print methods we offer.
Are there seams?
Yes, seams run along the perimeter of the table so that the fitted set will fit.
Is my fitted set an exact fit for my table?
Twill fabric fitted sets have the most accurate sizing. Poly Poplin fitted sets are +/- a half inch.
Can I order custom sizes?
Absolutely! Just give us the dimensions you need or the table size: height, width and depth.
Do I need to give an accurate table size for fitted sets?
Yes! Otherwise your fitted set will not fit on your table correctly.
Table Runners
What is a table runner?
Table runners are table covers that only cover the center and front of a table. They are sort of like a banner for your table. Runners may be narrow or the full width of a table depending on the runner / table size.
Are there seams?
No, unless we make an extremely wide runner there will be no seams.
Are custom sizes available?
Yes, just give us the dimensions you need.
Can table runners sets be printed?
Yes, we can print using silk screen, full color and other print methods.