From Your Design to Cork Fabric: How Custom Printing Works
A floral pattern you illustrated yourself. A geometric repeat developed for a new collection. A colour palette that customers recognise as yours.
Choosing your own print gives you another way to shape the identity of a handmade product. The same artwork can connect a wallet, a pouch and a bag, while each piece keeps its own character.
At MB Cork, we apply custom designs directly onto COF-323 cork fabric. Start with a product idea, prepare the artwork, review the sample and plan the fabric for your next project.
01 / START WITH THE PRODUCT
Give the pattern a purpose.
Before preparing a print file, think about the shape you want to make. A large motif might fill the front of a tote beautifully; a smaller repeat could work better on a cardholder or a compact purse.
Print the artwork on paper at its intended size and place your sewing pattern over it. Look at what stays visible after allowing for seams, folds and pockets. A detail you love on a full sheet might sit inside a seam on the finished piece.
- Check the scale. Judge the motif against the smallest item in your collection.
- Plan the placement. Consider how the design will meet pockets, handles and panel edges.
- Build a palette. Think about the lining, thread, zip and any plain cork panels you will pair with the print.
One design can support several products. Repeating a colour or a motif across different shapes is a useful way to make a small collection feel connected.
THE MATERIAL
Let the cork be part of the design.
Printing keeps the natural texture of cork in the finished surface. Fine variations in the material can influence the artwork, giving it a textured, organic appearance.
COF-323 is the base used for our custom printing service. Looking closely at the material helps you imagine how a drawn line, a block of colour or a delicate repeat will sit on the cork.
Take a closer look at COF-323 ↗02 / PREPARE THE ARTWORK
A good file makes a better starting point.
Send your design in AI, PDF, PSD or high-resolution PNG format. For raster artwork, use at least 300 DPI at the intended print size.
For continuous fabric, a seamless, repeatable pattern gives the best visual continuity. Check that the edges meet correctly in both directions and that the repeat has no unintended gaps.
All artwork is reviewed by our design and production teams before an order can be confirmed. Some designs need adjustments, and suitability must be approved in advance.
There is no design fee for ready-to-print artwork. If adjustments or design work are needed, our team will evaluate the request; a fee may apply depending on its complexity.
03 / REVIEW THE SAMPLE
See your artwork on real cork.
A screen can show the idea. A physical sample lets you see the colour, scale and texture together on the material you will use.
We offer a free standard sample, usually around A4 size. Shipping is charged separately if you would like it delivered. Ask our team for the available delivery options and costs for your destination.
Allow 5–7 working days for sample production. When reviewing it, consider the colour balance, the visibility of small details and how the pattern sits against your sewing pieces. Colours can differ slightly from a screen because of the cork surface, printing process and display settings.
The sample is the moment to bring the drawing, the material and the finished product together.
Bulk production starts only after sample approval and follows the approved sample standard. If the appearance is critical to your project, reviewing a physical sample is strongly recommended.
04 / PLAN THE ORDER
Know the quantities, costs and timing.
The minimum order is 5 metres for each design. Multiple designs cannot be mixed within the same five metres. Two separate prints, for example, require at least five metres of each: ten metres in total.
Custom printing adds €4 per metre to the standard cork fabric price. That printing charge is already included in your final price per metre, and the fabric remains eligible for our volume discount tiers.
| Base material | COF-323 cork fabric |
|---|---|
| Minimum quantity | 5 metres per design |
| Printing charge | Standard fabric price + €4 per metre |
| Standard sample | Free; delivery charged separately |
| Sample production | 5–7 working days |
| Bulk production | Approximately 7 working days after sample approval |
These are production estimates; shipping takes additional time. If you are preparing for a launch, market or seasonal collection, leave room for design review, sample delivery and any changes before approval.
COLOUR & COLLECTION
Think beyond a single piece.
Lay out a few possible combinations before committing to the print. A bold motif can become the focus of a bag, while the same colours appear more quietly in a matching pouch or lining.
For inspiration, explore our existing cork fabrics. Use them to compare colours and textures, then consider what you want your own artwork to bring to the collection.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
A few useful answers.
Can I combine several designs within five metres?
Each design has its own five-metre minimum. If you want to develop a collection with several prints, plan the quantity for each one separately.
Can you help me adjust my design?
Our team can assess the work required. Ready-to-print files have no design fee; adjustments or additional design work may involve a fee based on complexity.
Will my design be shared with other customers?
Customer artwork is treated as confidential. We do not resell, reuse or distribute your designs to other customers. Please ensure you have the rights to use all artwork you submit.
Can I cancel or return a custom order?
Cancellation is possible during the sample stage. Once production starts, the order cannot be cancelled. Custom-printed products are non-refundable and non-returnable. Review the full custom-order conditions with our team before confirming production.
MAKE IT YOURS
What would you print on cork?
Send us your artwork, the products you have in mind and the quantity you need per design. Our team will review the idea and guide you through the next steps.
