MANUFACTURING / JAPAN SOURCING
Furniture finish approval: carry the physical reference into production and reorders
A table finish chosen from a photograph can be interpreted differently at the factory and at the next order. Identify the actual reference, the attributes it controls and the variation still to agree.
The image starts the discussion; it is not the whole reference
A buyer orders wood tables for a hospitality space and approves a warm brown in a photograph. Later, a production sample looks glossier and its grain is more pronounced. A single image does not say whether the buyer approved colour, sheen, texture or the natural wood variation.
Karimoku’s catalogue notes explain that screen colour can differ from the actual product and that natural-wood grain differs from the photographed piece.[1] Name the furniture model or drawing, wood species/substrate, finish reference and the attributes still open. Use a photograph to identify the item, with a physical review route for the attributes the photograph cannot settle.
Identify which sample controls which decision
Ask whether a labelled finish panel, a production sample or an agreed showroom unit can be reviewed. Sample access is not automatic: MARUNI60’s FAQ says it does not provide distributed wood/fabric samples and directs buyers to shops.[3] Confirm the route for the actual supplier and order rather than promising a mailed sample.
For a custom approval sample, record its ID, date, substrate/species, finish revision, surfaces represented and decision owner. Distinguish a flat finish panel from the complete table: the panel can guide appearance while edges, joints, assembly and use performance remain separate questions.
- 1Reference A: identify the panel material, finish and reviewed attributes
- 2Production table: compare visible faces, edges and agreed variation
- 3Reorder: compare retained reference A with proposal B; record changes
Illustrative review relationship, not a guarantee of identical natural wood. A panel approval does not approve structure, stability or all product-use requirements.
Agree variation with visible examples, not a colour name alone
Karimoku describes differences in grain and knots even within one species, and changes in appearance with the way the wood is cut.[2] Decide which visible features matter for this project: tone, grain, marks, joins, sheen, texture and the relationship between neighbouring parts or tables.
Where a single reference cannot describe the permitted range, ask whether labelled examples or boundary samples can be agreed. Record viewing conditions, surfaces covered and the way a disputed piece will be reviewed. There is no universal colour-difference number or natural-mark rejection rule in this guide.
Keep the decision with the sample, rather than in a message alone
The example below is a record structure. The parties still need to agree criteria and the evidence for the actual product and use. Treat finish-panel appearance approval, complete-product evaluation and approval to start production as distinct decisions.
| Record | Retain or define | Decision to make |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance reference | Retain or defineSample ID/date, substrate, finish revision and viewing conditions | Decision to makeColour, sheen, texture and surfaces covered |
| Natural variation | Retain or defineLabelled examples and agreed visible features | Decision to makePermitted range, exclusions and dispute review |
| Production sample | Retain or defineDrawing, materials, edges/joints and evaluation records | Decision to makeAppearance decision plus separate product-use decisions |
| Repeat order | Retain or defineRetained sample condition, earlier lot and new proposal | Decision to makeChanges, comparison needed and approval owner |
Check what has changed before reusing the old approval
Agree who keeps the reference and how it will be stored, identified and inspected before use. If its condition has changed or the reference is no longer available, resolve a replacement or new review rather than assuming an old photograph has the same authority.
For a reorder, compare the substrate, finish revision, construction, material supply and intended use with the earlier approval. If an alternative is proposed, state the change and decide what to review again. Ask for the current sample or reference route, quantity, timing and destination without treating the earlier order as automatic approval of the new one.
Questions to send your supplier
Open supplier questions
Furniture model / drawing revision / intended use / destination: Species or substrate and proposed finish revision: Available physical reference ID, date and location / viewing route: Attributes to review: colour, sheen, texture, visible faces/edges and natural variation: Please propose labelled examples where a single reference cannot describe the permitted range. Separate finish-panel approval, complete-product evaluation and approval to start production. Who retains the reference, how will its condition be checked, and what changes need another review? For reorder: earlier lot/reference, proposed changes, quantity and target date:
Sources
- Karimoku — Digital catalogue notes
Public catalogue notes distinguish screen colour from actual colour and photographed grain from delivered natural wood. No sample supply, quotation or production approval inferred.
- Karimoku — Wood as a material
Public explanation of differences in grain and knots within a species and with cutting orientation. No universal acceptance range or quality rejection rule adopted.
- MARUNI60 — FAQ: catalogues and samples
The FAQ says distributed wood/fabric samples are not available and points buyers to shops. This is a brand-specific route, not a general OEM sampling policy; published lead times not used.