Getting Real About Fabric Sourcing

When I first started handling fabric procurement for our company—roughly $75k annually across 8 vendors—I assumed a big name like Raymond meant everything was straightforward. Just order, right? I mean, they're an institution in India. But after a few years—and a few expensive lessons—I've learned that even with a trusted supplier, you need to ask the right questions. Here are the ones I wish I'd asked from day one.

1. Is 'Raymond' just for suits, or do they do more?

That's a fair question. Most people think of Raymond as the suit king (worsted suiting, specifically). But they've got a surprisingly broad portfolio. Look at their product range: they do shirting fabrics—the 100% cotton stuff like "Raymond cotton"—and also denim (they have a brand called RAYDENIM). Plus, they're big in upholstery and technical textiles.

I initially dismissed them for our office furniture project because I only associated them with formalwear. That was my mistake. They actually have a whole division for contract furnishings and hospitality fabrics. It's worth checking their current catalog (as of early 2025) because their offerings have expanded significantly in the last few years. Not just wool blends anymore.

2. What's the deal with 'Raymond Clothing' vs. 'Raymond Fabric'?

This one tripped me up. "Raymond clothing" is their ready-made garment business—suits, jackets, trousers. But as a B2B buyer, you're probably looking for "Raymond fabric" (the textile mills division). They are two different supply chains. If you're a garment manufacturer, you want to speak to the fabric division. If you're an interior designer, you want to contact their upholstery or technical textiles arm.

I once spent a week on the phone trying to get a sample of their outdoor fabric (which is impressive, by the way) only to realize I was talking to the wrong department. Lesson learned. Be specific about your end-use. If you need fabric for willow tree bedding, don't ask for suiting samples.

3. Velvet vs. Suiting: Why would I use Raymond for upholstery?

Good question. We had a client who wanted velvet drapes for a hotel lounge. Our first instinct was to go to a specialist upholstery house. But we needed a consistent color match with their seating fabric, which happened to be a Raymond wool blend. So, we asked Raymond about their velvet program.

Turns out, they have a velvet line that's designed to coordinate with their other fabrics. On its own, their velvet is solid—good density, good rub count. But the real value was the color consistency across product lines. We saved a headache in logistics and matching. Side-by-side, the velvet and the suiting looked like they were made for each other. Because they were.

4. How does Raymond handle technical and performance fabrics?

Performance fabrics are a growing segment for them, especially for outdoor furniture and contract upholstery. Think stain-resistant, waterproof-ish (technical textiles). I got a sample of their canvas-grade upholstery for a restaurant renovation.

From the outside, it looked like standard heavy-duty twill. The reality is that their technical coatings are integrated into the weave, not just sprayed on top. That means it holds up better to cleaning and wear. People assume that ‘performance’ is just a marketing label. What they don't see is the testing behind it. Raymond claims some pretty high Martindale rub counts on their contract fabrics. I'd verify the specific grade for your project, but the engineering is genuine.

5. What's the deal with 'Kerby Jean-Raymond'? Is that related?

No. Just to clear this up. Kerby Jean-Raymond is an American fashion designer (founder of Pyer Moss). The name overlap is coincidental. If you're looking for his designs, you're in the wrong place. Raymond (the Indian conglomerate) is a completely different company. I've seen this confusion happen in search. It's a surface-level similarity that has no bearing on fabric sourcing.

6. Satin vs. Silk Fabric: Does Raymond do these?

Raymond is primarily known for worsted wools and high-end cottons. They do have a silk program, but it’s not their main focus. For satin (which is a weave, not a fiber), they produce some polyester-rayon blends for lining garments. It's acceptable quality—not luxury, but serviceable for mass production. For pure silk, you’re probably better off looking at specialist mills in China or Italy. Don't push Raymond for silk; it's not their strength.

The contrast here is key: if you compare a Raymond cotton shirting to a specialist cotton mill, the difference is small. Compare their silk to a specialist silk mill, and the gap is wider. Know where a supplier excels.

7. How do I verify the quality standards (Pantone, DPI)?

This is crucial. If you're doing a large run of uniforms or upholstery, you need color consistency. Ask for their Delta E tolerance. Industry standard for brand-critical colors is Delta E < 2. Raymond can meet that, but you have to specify it in your contract. Most buyers just assume the color will be right. They don't check the spec sheet.

Also, check their substrate calibraion. A color will look different on a smooth satin vs. a textured suiting. If you're printing on their fabric (like for branded workwear), you need to discuss the resolution and bleed settings. Raymond's mills can handle it, but your print order might require a pre-press proof. That's a step I've skipped before (this was back in 2023) and it cost us a reprint.

Not ideal, but workable. Once you get the process down, Raymond is a solid partner. The fundamentals of sourcing haven't changed: verify, sample, test. But the execution—the breadth of what they offer now—has definitely transformed. As of January 2025, they're more than just a suit maker. Don't judge a supplier by its oldest product line.