Frequently Asked Questions

What Quality Inspection Process Does Your Factory Follow Before Shipping?

Our quality control process runs through four stages to catch defects before goods leave the factory. During raw material inspection, we check wood moisture content (must be 8-12%), verify veneer grade and thickness, and test fabric for colorfastness and abrasion resistance per ISO standards.

In-process inspection happens at three critical points: after machining (checking dimensions against drawings with tolerance of ±1mm), after assembly (testing joint strength and drawer operation), and after finishing (verifying color match against approved samples under D65 lighting).

Pre-shipment inspection covers 100% of units for structural integrity and a random AQL 2.5 sampling for cosmetic standards. We photograph every piece from four angles before packing. Buyers can request third-party inspection from SGS, Bureau Veritas, or TUV at any stage — we provide full factory access and arrange inspector logistics.

After packing, we conduct a container loading inspection to verify piece count, check for shipping damage, and document the loading sequence. Full inspection reports with photos are shared within 24 hours of container sealing.

Can You Match a Specific Finish Color From a Photo or Physical Sample?

Yes, we offer precise color matching for all wood finishes, paint colors, and upholstery materials. The most accurate method is sending a physical sample (even a small 50x50mm piece) to our factory. Our finishing lab matches it within 48 hours and sends comparison photos under standardized lighting.

For color matching from photos, we work with Pantone, RAL, or NCS color codes whenever possible. If you only have a photo, our team creates 3-4 test panels at slightly different tones and ships them to you for selection. This process takes 5-7 days including air freight.

We maintain a digital color library of over 800 finishes we have produced for previous clients. Many buyers find a close match in our existing library, which eliminates development time entirely. For wood stains specifically, keep in mind that the same stain color appears differently on different wood species — oak absorbs stain differently than ash or walnut. We always prepare samples on your specified wood species to ensure accurate representation.

Once approved, we store your color formula permanently in our system with your project code. Reorders match exactly because we use the same formula, application method, and number of coats documented during initial approval.

What quality control inspections do you perform during production, and can we send our own inspectors?

Our quality control process follows a four-stage inspection protocol that covers every phase of production. During incoming material inspection, we verify wood moisture content (targeting 8-12% depending on destination climate), check panel formaldehyde emission class certificates, test fabric weight and composition against specifications, and measure metal gauge thickness. We reject approximately 3-5% of incoming materials that fail to meet project specifications.

In-process inspection happens at three critical points: after frame assembly (checking joinery strength, dimensional accuracy within +/- 2mm tolerance, and structural integrity), after finishing (measuring coating thickness with a digital gauge — minimum 120 microns for commercial PU finishes — and testing adhesion via cross-hatch method to ASTM D3359), and after upholstery (verifying pattern alignment, seam quality, and foam density). Our QC team documents each inspection with photographs and measurement records that become part of the project file.

Final pre-shipment inspection covers 100% of pieces for visual defects and functional checks (drawer operation, door alignment, hardware function, stability). We also pull random samples (AQL 2.5 sampling level) for more detailed measurement verification. Third-party inspectors are always welcome — we regularly host inspection teams from SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, and client-appointed QC firms. We provide workspace, lighting, and measurement tools for visiting inspectors. Many clients schedule two visits: one at 30% production completion (frame stage) and one at final inspection. We coordinate scheduling and provide progress reports between visits so inspectors can plan efficiently.

How do you handle furniture projects that require multiple material certifications such as FSC timber, GREENGUARD finishes, and fire-rated upholstery simultaneously?

Multi-certification projects are common in our hotel and commercial work, particularly for properties targeting LEED, BREEAM, or regional green building certifications. We manage these through a dedicated compliance tracking system that maps each certification requirement to specific materials and production processes before manufacturing begins.

For FSC-certified timber, we maintain active FSC Chain of Custody certification (audited annually by an accredited certification body). This means we can trace certified wood from our approved suppliers through our production process to the finished product. We segregate FSC-certified materials in our warehouse with clear labeling and maintain transaction records that connect your purchase order to specific certified timber batches. Important note: FSC certification applies to the wood components only — if your project requires FSC certification, we ensure all visible wood surfaces use certified material while non-visible structural components can use certified or non-certified timber depending on your specification and budget.

For GREENGUARD Gold certification on finishes, we use pre-certified coating systems from suppliers who have already achieved GREENGUARD Gold for their products. This means the finish system (sealer + topcoat combination) has been tested and certified for low chemical emissions. We maintain records of which certified finish systems are applied to which project orders. If your project requires product-level GREENGUARD certification (rather than component-level), we coordinate testing of the finished furniture assembly at an accredited laboratory — this typically takes 4-6 weeks and costs $5,000-$15,000 per product family.

Fire-rated upholstery requires the most careful coordination because fire performance depends on the complete composite — fabric, interliner (if used), foam, and frame material all interact. We maintain a library of pre-tested combinations that pass common fire standards (BS 5852 Crib 5, California TB 117-2013, NFPA 260/261). When a project specifies a new fabric that hasn’t been tested in our standard combinations, we send composite samples to an accredited fire testing laboratory before production begins. This prevents the costly scenario of discovering a fabric fails fire testing after thousands of meters have been cut and sewn. Testing turnaround is typically 2-3 weeks, and we build this into the project timeline during the sample development phase.

How should hotel buyers specify moisture-resistant furniture for humid or coastal projects?

For humid or coastal hotel projects, the specification should start with the substrate, not the surface finish. Moisture-resistant MDF, multi-layer plywood and sealed veneer systems are usually safer for wardrobes, desks, vanities and service stations than wide solid wood panels. Solid timber can still be used for legs, rails and exposed edges, but the drawing must allow seasonal movement and every end grain area should be sealed. Buyers should ask the factory to record timber moisture content before machining, before finishing and before packing. If moisture readings are high, the parts should be quarantined rather than rushed into coating.

The second step is edge protection. Many failures begin at cable holes, screw holes, sink cut-outs, tabletop edges and the bottom of legs where cleaning water collects. A professional contract furniture factory should seal these areas with lacquer, PVC edge banding, HPL, waterproof coating or another approved method. For outdoor or semi-outdoor areas, specify powder-coated aluminium, 316 stainless fasteners, UV-resistant fabric and fast-dry cushion construction. The purchase order should also include care instructions, because even well-built furniture will fail early if hotel teams use harsh chemicals or leave wet cushions stacked without airflow.

What quality control checkpoints should be included before shipping custom contract furniture from China?

A strong pre-shipment quality control plan should cover drawings, materials, structure, finish, function, packing and documentation. Before production starts, the factory should confirm signed shop drawings, a room matrix, finish samples, fabric or leather swatches, hardware codes and carton marking rules. During production, inspectors should check frame dimensions, joint strength, panel flatness, veneer matching, welding quality, foam density, fabric direction and moisture content. For seating, stability, seat height, back angle, cushion recovery and glide performance are important because these are the points guests feel every day.

Before packing, the inspection should test drawers, hinges, doors, table wobble, upholstery seams, lacquer defects, colour consistency and visible gaps against the approved mock-up or control sample. The factory should provide a photo report that links each item to its SKU, room type and quantity. Packaging also needs inspection: corner guards, carton strength, pallet rules, hardware bags, assembly instructions and carton labels should match the installation plan. For large hotel or restaurant projects, the loading list should follow the site sequence, not only container cube efficiency. A good QC report does not simply say “passed”; it records defects found, corrections made and the final evidence that the order is ready to ship.