If you’re looking for fabric companies accepting art submissions, Robert Kaufman Fabrics, FreeSpirit Fabrics, Dandelion Fabric & Co, Lumin Fabrics, The Colour Collab, and The Textile District all provide published ways for artists to submit work or introduce their portfolios. Contrado also offers an artist marketplace. Spoonflower is another option, although its new artist applications are temporarily paused as of October 2026.
These opportunities are not interchangeable. Some fabric manufacturers license original artwork for commercially produced collections. Others work with selected independent designers, while print-on-demand platforms let artists sell designs without first securing a traditional fabric licensing deal.
I’ve organized the companies by the type of opportunity and their published submission requirements. I would start with the companies whose existing fabric collections fit my artwork, then prepare the specific materials they request. Submission policies can change, so check the official pages before sending your portfolio.
Fabric Companies Accepting Art Submissions
The following companies have published artist submission guidelines, designer programs, or selling opportunities. The submission links and availability notes were checked in October 2026.
| Company | Opportunity | Submission information |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Kaufman Fabrics | Licensed fabric artwork | Requests 5–10 representative images |
| FreeSpirit Fabrics | Fabric collection licensing | Portfolio, bio, relevant background, and statement |
| Dandelion Fabric & Co | Artist submissions | Online form; collections typically include 8–12 designs |
| Lumin Fabrics | Textile designer submissions | 6–12 images; PDF preferred |
| The Colour Collab | Artist collaborations | Online artist and portfolio submission form |
| The Textile District | Curated fabric licensing program | Initial inquiry with portfolio link |
| Contrado | Artist marketplace | Online store registration |
| Spoonflower | Print-on-demand marketplace | New artist applications paused; reopening expected mid-December 2026 |
For traditional fabric licensing, I would investigate the manufacturers and curated designer programs first. If my immediate goal were to test patterns and sell through an online storefront, I would investigate the marketplace options separately.
1. Robert Kaufman Fabrics
Robert Kaufman Fabrics has published artwork submission guidelines for artists interested in licensing designs for its fabric collections.
One particularly useful detail is that artwork does not have to be developed into a textile repeat before submission. The company says it will consider designs originally created for other purposes, including artwork that has not yet been adapted for fabric.
That makes Robert Kaufman an interesting possibility for illustrators and fine artists who have original artwork but have not built a complete surface pattern portfolio.
What to submit: Robert Kaufman looks for artists with portfolios containing at least 15 images, but asks applicants to submit 5–10 representative examples. The company also accepts links to work samples on an artist’s website.
Its guidelines mention interest in holiday themes, staple fabric themes, and artists willing to work with creative direction. The company notes that it selects only a small percentage of submitting artists.
Best fit: Illustrators, surface pattern artists, and artists with adaptable designs for quilting and sewing fabrics.
Official Robert Kaufman artwork submission guidelines
2. FreeSpirit Fabrics
FreeSpirit Fabrics publishes designer licensing information in its FAQ under the question about becoming a FreeSpirit licensor.
The company says it is interested in creative artists who want to design fabric lines. Its published instructions ask prospective designers to provide:
- A portfolio of artwork or quilt-related work
- Biographical information
- A relevant resume
- Information about existing licenses in other product categories
- Agent information, if applicable
- A brief statement explaining why the artist wants to design for FreeSpirit
Unlike a simple upload marketplace, this is an opportunity to be considered for a designer relationship with an established fabric brand.
I would review the company’s current designers and collections before applying. FreeSpirit publishes a broad range of distinctive fabric artwork, and understanding the existing catalog would help me decide which pieces to feature.
Best fit: Artists interested in developing fabric collections and working with a manufacturer over time.
Official FreeSpirit designer licensing instructions
3. Dandelion Fabric & Co
Dandelion Fabric & Co has an art submission page inviting artists with detailed, colorful designs to share their work.
The company specifically describes an interest in artwork with visual impact rather than simple repeat patterns. It also provides unusually helpful information about how its fabric collections are structured.
Dandelion says its collections generally contain 8–12 designs, including main prints, secondary prints, and blender prints. Artists submitting a complete collection are asked to include a PDF showing the designs, the collection name and logo, and the artist’s name or logo.
This is a useful distinction for artists accustomed to submitting individual illustrations. A collection needs more than several attractive designs. The prints should work together through subject, color, scale, and visual rhythm.
Best fit: Surface pattern designers with detailed, colorful collections that can be used together in quilting or sewing projects.
Official Dandelion Fabric & Co art submissions
4. Lumin Fabrics
Lumin Fabrics invites submissions from textile designers with cohesive portfolios and a clear understanding of the quilting and sewing market.
Its submission page emphasizes strong color development, an understanding of repeat or placement, market-ready collections, and openness to collaboration.
What to submit: Lumin requests a digital portfolio with 6–12 representative images, labeled collection and design names, contact information, and a brief introduction. It prefers PDF format. If presenting a collection, the company asks for a cover page showing how the designs work together.
Lumin also states that it may request high-resolution files from selected artists later. That is useful because it means the initial submission can focus on reviewing the work rather than transferring full production files.
The company notes that it generally responds when there is a strong fit rather than guaranteeing an individual reply to every submission.
Best fit: Textile and repeat pattern designers with organized, production-minded portfolios.
Official Lumin Fabrics designer submissions
5. The Colour Collab
The Colour Collab is an Australian fabric company with an artist submission page inviting colorful, original artwork.
Its submission process uses an online form requesting contact information, location, website, Instagram profile, portfolio link, and information about previous licensing activity.
For an artist whose work is bold, illustrative, or especially colorful, this would be a company worth comparing against their existing catalog. I would prepare a portfolio that makes the artwork’s suitability for fabric immediately clear.
Best fit: Artists with original, colorful designs interested in fabric collaborations.
Official The Colour Collab artist submission form
6. The Textile District
The Textile District operates a curated licensing program for independent artists and surface pattern designers.
Through its Designer Program, the company prints and fulfills fabric orders while handling product setup, merchandising, and customer service. Artists are encouraged to help promote their collections through their own websites, newsletters, and social channels.
The company describes its program as nonexclusive, which may appeal to artists who also license work in other product categories. However, participation is curated and does not guarantee sales.
How to apply: The initial inquiry form asks for an introduction and a link to your website or public portfolio. The Textile District specifically says not to send unpublished artwork or production files with that initial inquiry.
Best fit: Independent designers who want an ongoing fabric licensing relationship and are interested in helping market their collections.
Official The Textile District Designer Program
7. Contrado
Contrado offers a different route for artists who want to sell designs on fabric and related products.
Rather than sending a portfolio to a fabric manufacturer for a conventional collection licensing agreement, artists can create an online store and offer their designs through the company’s print-on-demand marketplace.
This model can be useful if you want to experiment with artwork on textile products, develop an online storefront, or test which designs appeal to customers.
It is important to understand the difference: opening a marketplace store is not the same as being selected to design a commercially distributed fabric collection for a wholesale manufacturer.
Best fit: Artists who want to sell textile-based products directly through a print-on-demand platform.
Official Contrado artist selling program
8. Spoonflower: Artist Applications Temporarily Paused
Spoonflower is a print-on-demand fabric and wallpaper marketplace featuring designs by independent artists.
Current application status: According to the company’s October 2, 2026 update, new artist applications are temporarily paused while it makes site improvements. Spoonflower expects applications to become publicly available again in mid-December 2026.
That means it is worth researching as a potential future selling platform, but I would not count it as an immediately available submission opportunity until applications reopen.
Spoonflower is also different from a traditional licensing manufacturer. The artist marketplace allows independent designers to offer artwork through the platform rather than waiting for a manufacturer to choose a collection.
Best fit: Surface pattern artists interested in selling repeat designs on print-on-demand fabric and wallpaper once applications resume.
Official Spoonflower artist application status
Fabric Licensing Companies vs. Print-on-Demand Marketplaces
Before approaching any fabric company, I would decide what kind of opportunity I actually want.
A traditional manufacturer may license original designs, develop fabric collections, arrange production, and distribute the resulting textiles through wholesale or retail channels. Depending on the agreement, the artist may be compensated through royalties, a fee, or another negotiated arrangement.
A print-on-demand marketplace works differently. Artists can make their designs available through a selling platform, with the platform handling specified aspects of printing and fulfillment. Compensation and responsibilities depend on the program.
| Traditional fabric licensing | Artist marketplace |
|---|---|
| Company reviews and selects artwork | Artist applies or registers for a selling account |
| Artwork may become part of a manufactured collection | Artwork is offered through a platform’s product catalog |
| Terms negotiated through a licensing agreement | Artist operates under marketplace terms |
| Distribution may involve wholesalers and retailers | Sales often depend partly on customer discovery and artist promotion |
| Production requirements depend on the manufacturer | File and product requirements depend on the platform |
Neither route is automatically better. I would judge the opportunity by its customers, distribution, compensation, rights, and how well it fits the artwork.
For the broader business side, my art licensing guide explains the relationship between artists, manufacturers, and licensed products.
What Should You Submit to a Fabric Company?
The company’s published instructions should always come first. Some manufacturers will consider individual illustrations, while others want a coordinated collection of repeat patterns.
If I were preparing a general surface pattern portfolio for quilting cotton, I would consider including a lead print, several secondary patterns, smaller coordinating designs, and alternate colorways where relevant.
The goal is to demonstrate how the artwork could become usable fabric rather than simply showing attractive standalone images.
Show a cohesive collection when appropriate
A collection might feature one detailed botanical illustration as the main print, smaller leaf and flower patterns as secondary designs, and restrained textures or simple motifs as coordinates.
Scale matters. Several large, busy patterns may look impressive individually but become difficult to combine in a quilt or other sewing project. Smaller, quieter designs can make the entire collection more useful.
I would also pay attention to the palette. A consistent group of colors helps buyers understand which patterns belong together, even when individual designs vary in complexity.
Make the portfolio easy to review
Where a PDF is permitted, I would keep it organized with clear artwork previews, collection names, a short introduction, and contact information. Mockups can help communicate scale, but they should not obscure the underlying designs.
Only send the file format, quantity of artwork, and level of detail requested. Robert Kaufman’s instructions differ from Lumin’s, and The Textile District specifically requests a portfolio link rather than unpublished production files during its initial inquiry.
For a deeper explanation of choosing and presenting artwork for commercial use, see my art licensing portfolio guide.
Can You Submit Illustrations That Aren’t Repeating Patterns?
Yes, some fabric companies consider illustrations and other artwork that have not yet been developed into seamless repeats.
Robert Kaufman explicitly says it considers artwork that is not in textile repeat. That creates an opportunity for artists whose existing portfolios contain animals, florals, landscapes, decorative illustrations, or other subjects that could be adapted for fabric.
Other companies may place more emphasis on finished textile collections. Lumin, for example, specifically mentions an understanding of repeat and placement, while Dandelion describes collections with main, secondary, and blender designs.
I would not convert every illustration into a repeating pattern before researching the company. First, determine what its submission guidelines actually require.
How to Approach a Fabric Company About Licensing Artwork
Once I identify a company whose existing designs genuinely fit my work, I would follow its submission process instead of sending an unsolicited collection of large files.
For companies that permit an introductory email, I would keep the message short and specific.
Subject: Artwork Submission for Fabric Licensing
Hello,
I’m an artist interested in submitting original artwork for consideration for your fabric collections. My work focuses on [subjects or style], and I believe several of my designs could complement your existing range.
You can view a selection of my artwork here: [portfolio link].
Thank you for considering my work.
[Your name]
I would customize that introduction for the company and mention a relevant collection or design direction. The message should make it easy for an art director to see the work and understand why it might be suitable.
Some companies ask for more specific information, including professional background, existing licenses, or a full collection PDF. Use the sample email only when it matches their instructions.
My guide to art licensing submissions covers the general process of preparing and sending artwork to companies.
What to Check Before Agreeing to a Fabric Licensing Deal
Submitting a portfolio does not mean a company automatically receives the right to manufacture products using the artwork. The scope of any permission should be established through the applicable agreement.
If a manufacturer expresses interest, I would review which designs are being licensed, which products they may appear on, the territories covered, the duration of the agreement, whether the arrangement is exclusive, and how the artist will be paid.
I would also check who can modify the artwork, whether approval is required for changes, and what happens when the agreement expires.
These details can make two apparently similar licensing offers very different. For a breakdown of the main terms, see my art licensing agreement guide.
Questions About Fabric Art Submissions
Which fabric companies accept art from independent artists?
Robert Kaufman, FreeSpirit, Dandelion Fabric & Co, Lumin Fabrics, and The Colour Collab publish ways for artists to submit artwork or portfolios. The Textile District also has a curated independent designer program. Review each company’s requirements because an open submission process does not guarantee a licensing agreement or individual response.
Do fabric companies accept artwork that isn’t a seamless repeat?
Some do. Robert Kaufman states that it considers artwork that has not been converted into a textile repeat. Other manufacturers may prefer finished repeat patterns or coordinated fabric collections. Follow the specific company’s guidelines rather than assuming every submission requires the same format.
How many patterns should I submit to a fabric manufacturer?
There is no universal number. Robert Kaufman requests 5–10 representative images, Lumin requests 6–12, and Dandelion describes collections containing 8–12 designs. The company’s own instructions should determine how much artwork you submit.
Can you license paintings or wildlife illustrations to fabric companies?
Potentially. Original paintings and illustrations can be adapted into fabric designs when the imagery fits the manufacturer’s products and customers. Some companies will consider standalone artwork, while others prefer repeating patterns or fully developed collections. The artwork’s suitability and licensing availability matter more than whether it began as a painting or textile pattern.
Is Spoonflower currently accepting new artists?
As of October 2026, Spoonflower’s new artist application process is paused. The company says it expects to reopen applications in mid-December 2026. Check the official artist help page for the latest status before applying.
Where I Would Start
If I already had a collection of finished surface patterns, I would begin by comparing that work with Lumin, Dandelion, FreeSpirit, and The Colour Collab. If my portfolio consisted primarily of original illustrations that had not been developed into repeats, Robert Kaufman’s submission guidelines would make it an especially useful company to investigate.
For a curated print-to-order licensing relationship, I would consider The Textile District. For direct marketplace selling, Contrado offers a different route, while Spoonflower is worth revisiting once its applications reopen.
I would rather approach a few well-matched fabric companies with carefully selected artwork than send the same generic portfolio to every manufacturer. A strong fit between the artwork, the company’s products, and its customers is the best starting point for a useful submission.