Build a personal material library with Materium

Choose a theme for your collection

Start with fabrics, everyday packaging or surfaces from a design project. A focused theme gives you a reason to compare entries and return to the material information.

Materium’s library connects recognised materials with consistent catalogue names and specimen images. Related names can share a material identity, helping your collection remain organised as it grows.

Keep a simple record alongside each scan

Save a clear image and note which component you explored. In your own research notes, add the date, a readable material marking or label, and a product reference where available.

A useful entry separates the visible observation, the app’s assessment and the information the maker provides. Supplementary notes can live wherever you prefer; this workflow does not depend on a particular export or citation-management feature.

Return to the collection with new questions

Use your library to compare textures, revisit product descriptions or plan a small material study. Add supporting details as you find them, keeping enough context to understand each entry later.

For care, recycling or product selection, refer back to current instructions for the item and location. A well-organised material collection helps you make those follow-up steps more informed and easier to repeat.

Keep exploring

• How to identify materials from a photo with Materium
• How to identify fabric and read a clothing label
• Cotton vs polyester: a practical fabric identification guide