Frequently Asked Questions - Textiles

How Fabric by the Yard Works

Each fabric at Buue Studio is printed to order, meaning your yardage is custom-printed specifically for you the moment you place your order. You choose the substrate, enter the number of yards you need, and we handle the rest. Because every piece is made to order, please order a little extra to account for cutting, seam allowances, and pattern matching.

Fabric is sold in continuous yards (e.g., 3 yards = one piece 3 yards long). If you need more than one piece, simply increase your quantity. We recommend ordering at least 10–15% more than your minimum requirement to give yourself room to work.

Substrates & Widths

We currently print on four premium substrates. Each has its own drape, weight, and ideal use:

  • Cotton Poplin – 42" wide
    Crisp, lightweight, and smooth. Beautiful for garments, quilting, and home accessories. Easy to press and sew.
  • Essex Linen – 52" wide
    A linen-cotton blend with a natural, slightly textured hand. Ideal for structured garments, tote bags, pillows, and drapery.
  • Organic Cotton Sateen – 56" wide
    Silky-smooth with a subtle sheen and beautiful drape. Wonderful for bedding, lingerie, flowing garments, and any project that calls for a luxurious finish.
  • Cypress Cotton Canvas – 56" wide
    A sturdy, medium-weight canvas with excellent structure. Perfect for upholstery, cushions, bags, and durable home goods.

Not sure which substrate is right for your project? Feel free to reach out — we're happy to help you choose.

How to Measure & Calculate Yardage

Measure the total length of fabric you need in inches, then divide by 36 to convert to yards. Round up to the nearest half-yard and add 10–15% for cutting and matching. For patterned prints, allow additional yardage for repeat matching — the product page will note the repeat size where relevant.

Custom Printing & Our No-Refund Policy

Because every order is custom-printed to your exact specifications, we are unable to accept returns or exchanges on fabric yardage. This is standard practice in the custom-printing industry and allows us to keep waste low, which aligns with our commitment to responsible production.

We know that's a significant ask of you, and we take it seriously. Here's how we protect your order:

  • Color accuracy: Our prints are calibrated for consistency, and product photography is captured in controlled lighting to represent colors as faithfully as possible. Monitor calibration can affect perceived color, so if color-matching is critical, we recommend ordering a sample swatch first.
  • Quality guarantee: If your order arrives damaged, misprinted, or materially different from what was described, we will make it right — no questions asked. Please contact us within 7 days of delivery with photos and we'll resolve it promptly.
  • Order carefully: Double-check your substrate selection, yardage, and any custom color choices before completing your purchase. If you have questions before ordering, we're always happy to help.

When in doubt, order a swatch. It's the best investment you can make before committing to yardage.

Care & Washing Instructions

To keep your printed fabric looking its best, follow the care guidelines for your specific substrate:

  • Cotton Poplin: Machine wash cold, gentle cycle. Tumble dry low or line dry. Press with a warm iron on the reverse side to protect the print.
  • Essex Linen: Machine wash cold, gentle cycle, or hand wash. Lay flat or line dry — avoid high heat to prevent shrinkage. Light ironing on the reverse side while slightly damp gives the best results.
  • Organic Cotton Sateen: Machine wash cold, gentle cycle. Tumble dry low. To preserve the sheen and print, turn inside out before washing and avoid harsh detergents.
  • Cypress Cotton Canvas: Machine wash cold, gentle cycle. Line dry or tumble dry low. Canvas may soften slightly with washing, which is normal and often desirable.

We recommend pre-washing all fabric before cutting and sewing if the item will be washed. Please note that fabrics shrink at different rates according to content.

Shipping & Turnaround Times

Custom-printed orders typically leave our studio within 5–8 business days from the time of purchase. Once shipped, delivery time depends on your location and chosen shipping method.

During peak periods or for larger yardage orders, production may take a few additional days. If your project has a hard deadline, please contact us before ordering and we'll let you know whether we can accommodate your timeline.

You'll receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking information as soon as your order is on its way.

Custom Colors

Many of our prints are available in alternate colorways — and in some cases, we offer fully custom color work for larger orders or trade clients. If you're looking for a specific palette, reach out via our contact page with your color references (Pantone, hex, or an inspiration image) and we'll discuss what's possible.

For custom trade or wholesale inquiries, visit our Trade Program page.

Still Have Questions?

We'd love to hear from you. Send us a message and we'll get back to you as quickly as we can — usually within one business day.