What Is COM Fabric and Why Does It Matter?
COM stands for Customer's Own Material. When you order through a program like Highland House Furniture's, COM means you supply the fabric yourself rather than choosing from the manufacturer's standard cover options. Highland House and Sutter & Vale then upholster the piece in your material, opening the door to any fabric source you choose.
What exactly is COM fabric?
COM is a standard industry term for fabric the buyer sources independently. The manufacturer builds the piece to specification, using your material in place of one from its own library. Highland House offers a full fabric and leather library, so COM is an option, not a requirement.
Why would you choose COM over a standard cover?
COM gives you fabric freedom a standard library cannot always match. You may already have fabric from another project, or you may have found a specific weave, print, or texture that no manufacturer carries. COM lets you bring that material to the frame and construction quality you want.
The tradeoff is responsibility. When you supply the fabric, you take on:
- Ordering enough yardage (your dealer provides the exact requirement per piece)
- Confirming the fabric meets performance specs, including rub count and applicable fire-retardant standards
- Verifying repeat dimensions so pattern placement works across cushions and panels
Does COM change the construction or quality of the piece?
No. The frame, cushion fill, joinery, and finishing details stay exactly as specified. On a piece like the Sutton Large Sofa, 95 inches wide with standard topstitch on cushions and back pillows, those details proceed the same way whether the material comes from the Highland House library or from you.
What should you confirm before sending COM fabric?
Run through these points before placing the order:
| Item | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Yardage | Get the exact requirement per piece from your dealer |
| Width | Most upholstery fabric runs 54 inches wide; narrower goods may need additional yardage |
| Pattern repeat | Supply vertical and horizontal repeat measurements to your dealer |
| Performance rating | Check the double-rub count against the manufacturer's minimum |
| Content and backing | Some backings affect how fabric pulls and staples; confirm suitability |
Does every Highland House sofa accept COM?
Most do. Pieces across the Highland House sofa collection are made to order, which is what makes COM practical. A piece like the Claude 72" Boxed Pleated Settee, with its micro welt detailing and optional nail trim, involves precise cutting and placement. Pattern-matched COM fabric on a piece like that requires complete yardage information before you ship anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible if the COM fabric is damaged during production?
Manufacturer liability typically covers workmanship, not the fabric itself. Confirm the policy with Sutter & Vale before shipping your material, and keep a reserve of extra yardage as standard practice.
Can COM fabric be a leather or vinyl?
COM leather is sometimes called COL, Customer's Own Leather, and carries its own yardage and hide-size requirements. Not every upholsterer accepts COL alongside standard COM, so verify at the time of order.
How do I get the correct yardage number?
Your dealer calculates yardage based on the specific frame, cushion count, and your fabric's width and repeat. Share all four data points before the order is placed to avoid a shortage mid-production.
The Sutter & Vale Team
