When starting a commercial sewing project or prototyping a new design, finding a partner who can get the job done quickly and professionally is vital. Connecting with an experienced team with the latest technology in the business can make or break your project. 

Plenty of industrial sewing shops with questionable practices and products are available on the web, making it challenging to find a quality team to help bring your project to life.

Fortunately, if you’re looking for a product you can be proud of that’s made in the USA, we’ve got you covered at Canvasworks in Cokato, MN. Whether your project is large or small, we have the technology and the know-how to do the job! 

In this post, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about taking your industrial sewing or prototyping project to Canvasworks. Connect with us online or give us a call to discuss your prototyping or commercial sewing project!

Trusted for Our Professional Equipment

These are just a few reasons Canvasworks should be your trusted partner for your next prototyping or commercial sewing project: 

  • Laser measuring and digitizing capabilities.

  • Automated cutting with both Carlson static table and Eastman conveyor table cutting machines.

  • Fabric welding technology.

  • Large project tables.

  • Rapid prototype development. 

Our expert craftspeople have over 45 years of experience producing custom products and fulfilling OEM production sewing contracts. 

 

Prototype to Finished Product

When introducing a new product to the market, a high-quality prototype is one of the first things you need. Not only is it a valuable tool if you're looking for investors, but it can also help you find the flaws in your design, enabling you to make changes before moving on to a production run of your new product. 

At Canvasworks, we have experience in every stage of the prototyping process, from the initial design and fabric choices to completion. We're happy to help, drawing on our years of experience developing new products to help you take your design to the next level.

Benefits of Prototyping With Us First

Maybe you’re unsure whether or not your idea would benefit from a prototype before taking it further in the production process. We can assure you that it will! 

A well-designed prototype does a lot for any idea, including: 

  • Bringing your concept to life, highlighting dimensions and features, and allowing you to see the product in real life.

  • Giving you a physical sample to share with your investors, customers, or clients.

  • Helping you and your team identify and iron out any design flaws or challenges in production.

  • The opportunity to start pre-production product testing quickly.

  • Finally, it allows you to explore multiple design options, such as different textures, finishes, and colors.

Choosing Between Fabrics

Our team is highly qualified to assist you with sifting through the right materials for your prototyping project due to our extensive research in making quality boat covers, SnoCaps Trailer Enclosures, and other outdoor products. 

With our years of developing products for indoor and outdoor use, tough travel, and extreme weather conditions, we’re sure to help you discover just the right fabric.

Waterproof Fabric

As its name implies, waterproof fabric does not allow water to pass through. Instead, coatings or the material itself repels water from the fabric's surface. This allows water to roll off the fabric, keeping whatever is under the fabric dry, but this impregnability also prevents water under the cover from evaporating.

Waterproof fabric is useful for any situation where cost is a factor and airflow is not a concern, as well as situations where the slick surface of the waterproof fabric allows snow to slide off more readily. 

Our experts use it for different product lines, including: 

You may be asking, if waterproof fabric is so useful, then why not use it for everything? The answer is simple: breathability. 

Waterproof fabric doesn’t breathe, which can be an issue when the protected object is completely enclosed. Condensation from water vapor in the air can stay trapped under the fabric and lead to mold and mildew. 

It also tends to keep things underneath it warmer than breathable fabric since breathable fabrics allow water vapor and heat to escape. In situations where both heat and water vapor are a concern due to a lack of breathability or other means of airflow, you’ll need to be very choosy about your fabric. 

Breathable Fabric

At Canvasworks, we use quality, name-brand, breathable fabrics like Sunbrella and Top Notch, which are highly water-repellent. 

Unlike waterproof fabric, breathable fabric allows for great ventilation while providing high protection with its water-repellent properties. This is paramount in hot, humid conditions or when you fully enclose something, like a boat. 

Breathability is crucial when covering a boat or equipment that remains outside. It allows the condensation that naturally occurs under any cover as the air cools overnight to escape as the sun’s rays warm the interior. Trapping this condensation under a waterproof cover will lead to mold and mildew development. 

Protecting Your Investment

When you work with our team, you can trust us to protect your company’s intellectual property just as we would our own. As custom metal fabrication and sewing experts with several patented products, we understand how important it is to protect your proprietary information.

Commercial Sewing Projects

No matter how large or small your production sewing project is, we can accommodate it. Our digital fabric-cutting machines cut fabric accurately and quickly, and your patterns are digitized to reduce fabric waste. 

These are just some of the types of production projects we’ve worked on:

  • Bimini shades for zero-turn mowers

  • Soft doors for green vehicles

  • Grill covers 

  • Outdoor fireplace covers

  • Long term outdoor storage covers

  • Hunting products

  • Dog products

  • Motor covers

  • And more

Partner With Canvasworks for Prototyping

Since 1979, we’ve been known for making the best custom fabric and prototyping products. In addition to the four patents owner Duane Smith holds, Canvasworks has also created prototypes or designed projects for national and international manufacturers. 

We’re ready to answer any questions you may have about our process or how to get started on your project. Contact us today at 320-559-0165!