Sunbrella Unveils New Trade Program, Deepening Ties with Design Community

BURLINGTON, N.C. – April 17, 2026 – Sunbrella, the long-standing leader in performance textiles, has launched a comprehensive new Trade Program, a strategic initiative designed to streamline the sourcing process and provide dedicated support for interior design professionals. Created with direct input from the design community, the program aims to become a single, trusted destination for sourcing the brand's expansive portfolio of fabrics and finished products.

The move signals a significant effort by the North Carolina-based company to fortify its relationship with the architects and designers who specify materials for residential and commercial projects. By offering exclusive pricing, enhanced ordering capabilities, and tailored support, Sunbrella is positioning itself not just as a supplier, but as an integrated partner in the creative process.

A New Toolkit for the Modern Designer

At its core, the Sunbrella Trade Program is built to address the day-to-day challenges and workflow complexities faced by interior designers. The program rolls out a suite of benefits intended to simplify sourcing and expand creative possibilities.

Members gain access to exclusive trade pricing on fabric-by-the-yard as well as a growing collection of finished goods, including indoor/outdoor throws, custom drapery, and specialized cleaning solutions. A key feature is the offering of complimentary and unlimited memo samples, allowing designers to freely explore and present a vast range of textures, intricate jacquards, and designer-led collaborations to clients without upfront cost.

The program also tackles logistical hurdles with a new large-order functionality and promises quick turnarounds, with a majority of products shipping within days. This addresses a critical pain point for professionals managing projects with tight deadlines and large-scale material needs. Further sweetening the deal is personalized support from a dedicated Sunbrella Trade Program team and an industry-leading warranty. Parent company Glen Raven recently enhanced this warranty to cover replacement labor costs across all categories, a significant value-add that provides an extra layer of confidence for both designers and their clients.

"We are proud to introduce our Trade Program, created to better support today's interior design professionals with comprehensive offerings rooted in performance, versatility, and ease of use," said Sarah Dooley, Senior Director, Design Trade Sales and Marketing at Sunbrella, in a press release. "This program reflects our commitment to the trade community by providing these best-in-class materials, but also dedicated support, exclusive access, and a smooth experience from sourcing to specification."

A Strategic Play in a Competitive Market

The launch is more than just a new benefits package; it's a calculated strategic move within the highly competitive home furnishings landscape. While trade programs are standard practice for industry players like Kravet, which has cultivated designer relationships for over a century, Sunbrella's approach aims to leverage its unique position as a vertically integrated manufacturer with powerful brand recognition.

The global textile market, valued at over $1.3 trillion, is projected to grow steadily, with industry analysts pointing to key trends like sustainability, digital integration, and customization. Sunbrella's program launch aligns perfectly with these trends. By creating a direct digital portal for designers, the company is streamlining its supply chain and fostering a stickier, more loyal customer base. This direct engagement model allows Sunbrella to gather valuable data and feedback, informing future product development and innovation.

This initiative is backed by significant capital investment from parent company Glen Raven, which has poured over $250 million into expanding capacity. These investments have a strong focus on sustainability, incorporating energy-efficient technologies and processes designed to reduce raw material waste—a growing priority for both designers and end-consumers in today's market.

The Science of Style: 'Color to the Core' Technology

Underpinning the entire Sunbrella portfolio is its proprietary "Color to the Core™" technology. This is not a surface treatment but a solution-dyeing process where liquid acrylic is infused with color pigments before the fiber is even created. The result is a fiber that has color running through its entire diameter, much like a carrot.

This process is the source of Sunbrella's reputation as the "gold standard" for performance fabrics. It provides technical advantages that are crucial for designers specifying materials for high-traffic indoor spaces or demanding outdoor environments. The core-deep color saturation delivers superior fade resistance against harsh sunlight and environmental exposure. Furthermore, the acrylic fibers are inherently resistant to stains, moisture, and mildew growth.

The fabric's durability extends to its cleanability. Because the color is locked into the fiber, it can be cleaned with mild soap and water, and even with bleach-based solutions, without losing its vibrancy. This combination of aesthetic longevity and practical resilience is what allows designers to use plush, light-colored, and intricately patterned fabrics in applications where they would have previously been impractical.

Cultivating a Design Ecosystem Through Collaboration

The new Trade Program also serves as a gateway to a broader, curated design ecosystem. Sunbrella is leveraging its manufacturing prowess to partner with a diverse slate of renowned designers and brands, creating exclusive collections that merge unique aesthetics with high performance. These collaborations transform Sunbrella from a fabric source into a platform for design innovation.

Partnerships with brands like Sien + Co challenge Sunbrella to create fabrics that emulate the chunky, textural quality of hand-crafted wool, many of which utilize recycled post-industrial fibers. Collaborations with heritage brands like CW Stockwell bring archival patterns to life for outdoor use, while a collection with Block Shop translates the brand's exuberant, hand-printed aesthetic into durable performance fabrics for the first time. A partnership with watercolor artist Kelly Ventura successfully translates the subtle nuances of her nature-inspired paintings onto textiles.

By providing trade members with preferred access to these co-branded lines and finished products like throws and custom window treatments, Sunbrella is encouraging designers to think holistically. The program empowers them to layer performance, color, and texture throughout an entire project—from upholstery and drapery to accessories—all sourced from a single, reliable hub. This integrated approach, which combines robust material science with a keen eye for design, is poised to become an indispensable resource for the design community.