What is Selvage?
Also known as: Selvedge
The finished edge of a roll of fabric, perpendicular to the direction of weaving or printing. Used as a registration reference and quality-check zone in textile printing.
In detail
The selvage is the self-finishing edge of woven or printed fabric — the edge that prevents fraying without requiring hemming. In digital and rotary textile printing, the selvage often carries identifying information: brand name, color reference number, registration marks, and barcoded production data. Designers must account for selvage zones in their tile dimensions: the rapport must fit within the printable width minus the selvage allowance (typically 1-2 cm per side). Some prints intentionally extend to the selvage edge for full-bleed designs, while others maintain a clean margin. The selvage is also the standard quality-control inspection zone — print partners check color and registration along the selvage before approving a run.
Example
A 150 cm wide digital printer has a 2 cm non-printable selvage on each side, leaving 146 cm of usable width. A 30 cm rapport tiles 4.86 times across the width — designers either clip to a 4-tile (120 cm) usable design or pick a different rapport size that divides evenly into 146 cm.