Glossary

Welcome to our Glossary of Terms. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate and understand the terms commonly used in the world of custom cushions. Here you will find definitions for a variety of terms related to materials, styles, manufacturing techniques, and more. We hope this glossary helps you make informed decisions as you design your perfect custom cushions!

Acrylic Fabric
A synthetic fabric known for its durability, colorfastness, and resistance to weather, UV rays, and mildew, making it an ideal choice for outdoor cushions and upholstery.
Batting
A layer of soft, fluffy material used to add cushioning and insulation to a cushion.
Bolster
A long, narrow cushion often used for additional support or decorative purposes.
Boxed Cushion
A cushion built in the boxed-edge construction style, with a flat top, flat bottom, and a defined vertical side. Common for seat, bench, and deep-seating cushions where a structured, tailored look is desired.
Boxed Edge
A cushion edge construction style in which the top and bottom fabric panels are connected by a separate strip of fabric (the gusset) sewn between them, creating a flat, tailored profile with two visible seams.
COM (Customer's Own Material)
An option allowing customers to provide their own fabric for a custom cushion project.
Dacron Fiber
A brand of polyester fiberfill used as cushion padding to enhance comfort, maintain shape, and prevent fabric from wrinkling or sagging.
Deep Seating
A term describing furniture designed for maximum comfort, often featuring thick, plush cushions and a more relaxed seating angle.

Density
A measure of the firmness of foam, calculated by the weight of a cubic foot of the material.
Foam Core
The main support structure of a cushion, typically made from a medium- to high-density foam that holds the cushion's shape.
Gusset
A strip of fabric sewn between the top and bottom panels of a boxed cushion, creating depth and a tailored appearance.
Hinged Cushion
A cushion design consisting of two or more sections connected by a fabric hinge, typically used for furniture with adjustable backrests or multi-part seating.
Knife Edge
A cushion edge style in which the top and bottom panels are sewn together directly, creating a clean, simple look with minimal bulk.
Piping
A decorative trim created by enclosing a cord within a strip of fabric, often used to accentuate the seams of a cushion.
Polyester Fiberfill
A synthetic material made of polyester fibers, often used as a cushion filling for its softness, durability, and hypoallergenic properties.
Polyurethane Foam
A versatile, synthetic foam material commonly used in cushions for its durability, support, and comfort.

Reticulated Foam
A type of foam featuring an open-cell structure that allows for quick drainage and air circulation, making it ideal for outdoor cushions and marine applications.
Solution Dyed
A fabric dyeing process in which color pigments are added to the polymer solution before being extruded into fibers, resulting in fabrics with excellent colorfastness and resistance to fading.
Sunbrella® Fabric
A high-performance outdoor fabric known for its durability, colorfastness, and resistance to mildew, stains, and UV rays.
Tufting
A technique that involves sewing through the layers of a cushion to create a decorative pattern and ensure the filling stays in place.
Upholster
The process of applying fabric, padding, and other materials to furniture, such as cushions, to improve aesthetics and comfort.
Waterfall Edge
A cushion edge construction style created by sewing the top and bottom fabric panels directly together along a single seam. When filled, the panels round outward, giving the edges a soft, waterfall-like curve. Thinner waterfall cushions are also referred to as knife-edge cushions.
Zipper
A closure mechanism used on cushion covers, allowing for easy removal and replacement of the cushion's interior materials.