Blackout curtains are curtains that block most of the light coming through a window, and they are made in one of two ways: a foam coating applied to the back of the fabric in one, two or three passes, or a triple-weave construction with a layer of black yarn woven between two coloured face layers. Both are produced in volume in Gujarat, mainly on polyester fabrics from Surat.
The two methods give different handles, prices and claims, so a buyer should decide which one the range needs before asking for quotations. The label claim also matters, because full blackout and dim-out are not the same and some markets treat the difference as a consumer protection issue.
Foam-coated blackout
A coated blackout starts with a woven face fabric, usually polyester, which is passed through a coating line that applies an acrylic foam to the back. A one-pass coating gives a dim-out effect, two passes give a near blackout, and three passes, where the middle layer is black and the outer layer is coloured or white, give a full blackout with a neutral back.
Coated fabric is cheaper than triple weave for the same level of light blocking, and the face fabric can be printed or textured freely. The trade-offs are a slightly stiffer handle, a back surface that can crack or peel if the coating is poor, and care instructions that usually rule out hot washing and tumble drying.
Triple-weave blackout
A triple-weave blackout is woven as a single fabric with black yarns in the middle layer and coloured yarns on both faces. There is no coating, so the fabric is soft, drapes like an ordinary curtain, looks the same on both sides and can be washed normally. It blocks most light but usually not quite as much as a three-pass coating, and it costs more per metre.
Triple weave is the better choice for a premium range or where softness and washability matter. Coated blackout suits budget and mid-range lines and anything with a printed face.
What to check
- Ask for the light blocking percentage and how it was tested, and for a sample to hold up against a window yourself.
- For coated fabric, ask how many passes are applied and check the back for pinholes, thin patches and flaking.
- Specify flame retardant performance if the product is for contract use, since a coating can change the result.
- Confirm the heading, lining and hem construction, because a blackout curtain that lets light through at the edges is a common complaint.
- Ask for colour fastness to light, as blackout fabric sits in direct sun on its face side.
How we help
We visit the coating and weaving units in Surat and the stitching units that finish the curtains, and we send sealed samples to an NABL-accredited lab to check light blocking, fastness and any flame retardant claims. We check sizes and packing before loading, supervise the loading and send weekly updates. One approved supplier plus one backup, starting with a free 20-minute sourcing review.