In the furniture industry, the terms “COM” and “COL” are acronyms used to refer to customers’ own material and customers’ own leather, respectively. When it comes to custom furniture orders, both buyers and sellers need to know what these terms mean.
COM fabric refers to any material that a customer provides for a furniture manufacturer to use in manufacturing, while COL refers to leather provided by the customer. Using COM or COL in custom furniture orders can provide a unique and personalized result, but it is important to consider the cost, lead time, quality control, and warranty implications.
This article will go into more detail about what COM and COL mean and how they are used in the furniture industry.
COM fabric, short for “customers’ own material,” refers to the manufacturing of furniture using material provided by the customer. This can include a wide range of materials, such as upholstery fabric, outdoor fabrics, leather, and more. COM fabric allows customers to choose a specific fabric or material that they prefer, and it can be a great option for those who want a piece of furniture that is truly unique.
One of the main advantages of using COM fabric is that it allows customers to choose from a wide range of materials and textures that may not be available in the manufacturer’s standard options. This can include high-end fabrics, specialty materials, or even vintage or antique fabrics. Additionally, using COM fabric can be a cost-effective option for customers, as they can often find materials at a lower cost than what a manufacturer would charge.
COL, short for “customers’ own leather,” refers to leather that a customer provides for a furniture manufacturer to use in a piece of furniture. Similar to COM fabric, COL allows customers to choose a specific leather that they prefer. This can be a great option for those who want a piece of furniture that is truly unique and made with high-quality leather.
One of the main advantages of using COL is that it allows customers to choose from a wide range of leather types and colors that may not be available in the manufacturer’s standard options. This can include high-end leather, specialty leather, or even vintage or antique leather. Similar to COM, using COL can be a cost-effective option for customers, as it allows them to source leather at a lower cost.
When customers opt to use COM or COL for their custom furniture orders, they typically provide the material or leather to the manufacturer themselves. The manufacturer will then use the provided material or leather to create the custom-made leather furniture. This process can vary depending on the manufacturer and the specific materials or leathers being used.
For example, if a customer is providing their own fabric for a custom-made sofa, the manufacturer may require a certain amount of fabric based on the dimensions of the sofa. The customer would then purchase the appropriate amount of fabric and ship it to the manufacturer. The manufacturer would then use the provided fabric to upholster a made to measure sofa according to the customer’s specifications. The same process applies for COL, but with leather. The customer would provide the leather to the manufacturer, who would then use it to cover the furniture piece.
It’s important for customers to keep in mind that the process of using COM or COL may take longer than ordering a standard piece of furniture, as the manufacturer will need to work with the provided materials or leathers. Also, customers should know that using their own materials or leathers can make it hard to control the quality and make sure the item will last.
Despite the potential challenges, COM and COL are widely popular in the furniture industry, as using COM and COL can provide truly unique and personalized pieces of furniture that reflect the customer’s personal style and taste.
Considerations when using COM or COL
When considering using COM or COL for a custom furniture order, there are several important factors to keep in mind.
One of the most important considerations is cost. While using your own materials or leathers can be a cost-effective option, it’s important to factor in the cost of the materials or leathers themselves, as well as any additional costs associated with shipping or handling the materials or leathers to the manufacturer. In addition, it’s also important to consider the additional lead time that may be required when using COM or COL, as this can also add to the overall cost of the custom order.
Quality control and durability are also key considerations when using COM or COL. Since the manufacturer may not have as much control over the quality of the materials or leathers provided by the customer, it’s important to ensure that the materials or leathers meet the manufacturer’s standards for quality and durability. Additionally, customers should also be aware of the warranty and return policies for custom orders, as they may be different from standard orders.
Another factor to take into consideration is that many fabrics or leathers have patterns. Each pattern has a “repeat” where it begins and ends. If you want to use one, it is critical to provide your manufacturer with the size and how the pattern should run (vertically or horizontally), in addition to factor in the extra material that may be needed to seamlessly match up the pattern.
Finally, it’s important to have realistic expectations about the final product when using COM or COL. It’s important to know that the final product may not match the manufacturer’s standard offerings exactly, and that the materials or leathers used may cause slight differences in color or texture.
Even with these things in mind, using COM and COL can lead to truly unique and personalized pieces of furniture that reflect the style and taste of the customer.
To conclude, using COM and COL in custom furniture orders can provide a unique and personalized result. COM fabric allows customers to choose a specific fabric or material that they prefer, while COL allows customers to choose a specific leather that they prefer.
Custom furniture orders can be more personalized and unique with these choices, but it’s important to think about things like cost, lead time, quality control, and warranty implications before making a decision.
While providing your own materials or leather can be a cost-effective option, it’s crucial to keep in mind the cost of the materials, shipping, and handling. All in all, utilizing COM and COL can lead to a one-of-a-kind piece of furniture that truly reflects the customer’s personal style and taste.
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