As the analog-to-digital transformation in textiles and apparel continues to march on at what we hope is an escalating pace, there is growing demand from consumers for the ability to create or order customized fabrics at reasonable prices and with fast delivery. Companies like WeaveUp are stepping up to make it easier for brands, retailers, and designers to monetize a large library of custom designs; and for consumers to have access to unique designs for apparel and home goods digitally printed on a variety of different fabric types. I spoke with Flint Davis, WeaveUp’s President, to learn more about the company and its recent partnership with JOANN Fabrics as the backbone infrastructure for JOANN’s MyFabric offering.

WhatTheyThink:  Flint, can you tell us a little about your background and how WeaveUp got started?

Flint Davis:  I’m a serial entrepreneur and have spent my career in places where there is a disruptive step function underway. I started this journey in 2001 in the video industry. An opportunity came up about five and a half years ago at Valley Forge Fabrics, a leader in hospitality fabrics in North America—decorative textiles used in the hospitality industry. They were looking to take advantage of digital printing for their primary business of selling fabrics to architects, designers, and hotel chains. We initially built a division within Valley Forge and then spun it out three and a half years ago as a platform that would make online customization of fabric really easy for non-professionals, and for a sampling system.