In this fashion-driven world, color is key. We are always thinking about color. Months – sometimes years – ahead, we start planning, testing and prototyping new fiber colors. After digging through natural and man-made pigments, looking for inspiration all around the world and listening to client requests, we introduce exciting new colors to our palette. Every color is thoroughly tested for performance and colorfastness before it is added to our yarn bank.

We believe that understanding the differences between the many fibers used in outdoor and high-performance fabrics will allow our clients to choose products that not only live up to, but surpass, their expectations. All of our 100% solution-dyed acrylic fibers begin as a liquid acrylic polymer solution. This solution is injected with elemental pigments, then extruded, aligned, stretched, crimped and cut, resulting in a fiber that resembles natural cotton. This process ensures that our colors completely permeate the fiber and enables our yarn to stand up to the elements better than yarn-dyed or piece-dyed fabrics.

Not only does the solution-dyed acrylic fabric offer a more natural look and feel, the fiber’s polymer itself has an inherent resistance to ultraviolet degradation, which exceeds that of other fibers such as polypropylene, olefin and polyester. On a microscopic level, the cross-section of our fiber is round, which seems like a small detail. However, unlike the kidney-bean shape of other solution-dyed fibers, the round shape adds a higher tenacity, improved abrasion resistance and better color consistency. Dralon*, another acrylic fabric that is often promoted for outdoor use, is yarn-dyed, which means the color does not permeate all the way though, causing it to fall short of Perennials’ stringent standards for fade and bleach tests.

With over thirty electronic looms, Perennials Textiles de Mexico, our production facility in Mexico, produces thousands of yards of luxury fabrics every year. Our extraordinary production capabilities paired with our intricate product development process, can create quality custom fabrics faster than ever.

Our product development team will mix, spin and ply innovative new yarns for application in casements, upholstery, awnings and rugs. Creating unique, textured chenille, boucle, slub and plied yarns allows for infinite design possibilities.

The team then goes into the studio to weave real samples on hand looms and to create simulated samples or full-scale replicas on computers of the patterns and textures that we dream about night and day. Every design is meticulously analyzed and tweaked until we are happy with the new creation.

After combing through color blankets sent from PTM, we select final design and colorways, all of which are then signed off by our executive team, including Ann herself.

We always strive to offer only the best; therefore, Perennials developed a technical finish called Perennials performance finish. More than just a coating, the finish is molecularly bonded with the fibers, providing long-lasting protection even after repeated washings. Water or substances such as oil, wine or ketchup simply run off the surface or can be easily rinsed off with plain water. Visit our Fabric Care section to learn more.

Many clients have strict guidelines they are asked to follow when selecting fabrics for projects. All of our fabrics are submitted to independent, certified testing laboratories, where a barrage of tests are conducted on every design we have developed. Our fabrics are subjected to the harshest of conditions to achieve certified results for abrasion resistance (Wyzenbeek, ASTM D4157), breaking and tear strength (ASTM D3597/ D5034, ASTM D2261), brush pill (ASTM D3511) and flammability (California Bulletin TB117-2013, NFPA 260/UFAC Class 1). The test results are published in our literature and available upon request.

Both accelerated ultraviolet testing in the Arizona desert and actual use show Perennials solution-dyed acrylic fabrics will stand up to sunlight for at least three years without fading. While Perennials fabrics look beautiful season after season, other pretenders can go pale in less than six weeks.

In addition to rigorous testing, inspections are important at Perennials. Every yard is subjected to no less than three inspections before the order leaves the dock. We take personal pride in caring about our product and our reputation.

From fiber technology to design, quality, customer service and final delivery, every step in the production process is our assurance to our client. This is the reason we can offer an industry leading guarantee.

When you select fabrics identified by the Perennials Fiber Mark, be confident that you will receive a product that lives up to our name: enduring, constant, and fun.