# How to Choose Soft Play Equipment for Retail and Wholesale: Covers, Foam and Sizes

Choose between soft play sets and individual shapes, compare PU leather, velvet and PVC covers, specify foam and dimensions, and turn your selection into a brief suppliers can quote on.

Updated 2026-10-15

## Guide

A soft play range is defined by four decisions: whether you sell complete sets or individual shapes, which cover suits the setting, what foam fills each piece and the exact size of every piece. Put these four on paper before you ask for prices, and every quotation can be compared line by line.

The examples below come from our own [soft play catalogue](/products/category/soft-play), so every size and material quoted is a real catalogue specification rather than a generic range.

![Workers fitting foam cores into sewn covers for soft play blocks and plyo boxes](https://media.tianshuenough.com/factory-foam-assembly.webp)

## Complete sets or individual shapes?

Choose sets when your customer wants a ready-made play layout in one purchase; choose individual shapes when venues design their own layouts or need replacement pieces. Many ranges carry both, but each needs its own listing, packing plan and price.

| Format | What it solves | Typical buyer | Catalogue examples |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Starter set, 2–5 pieces | One listing and one packing plan for a ready-made layout | Online retailers, home and gift ranges | TSS-001 2-piece set , TSS-004 5-piece velvet set |
| Climb, crawl and slide set | A complete route of arches, steps, ramps or tunnels in one order | Daycare centres, kindergartens, playrooms | TSS-006 rainbow set , TSS-007 set with tunnel |
| Individual shapes and blocks | Flexible layouts, add-ons and replacement pieces | Schools and early education centres | TSS-005 soft puzzle cube , TSS-013 12-piece blocks |

Record the model number and the number of pieces for each combination. A four-piece set and four separate shapes may need different packaging, labels and product listings.

## Cover materials: PU leather, velvet or PVC

Pick the cover by how the product will be cleaned. Wipe-clean PU leather or PVC suits shared spaces that are cleaned every day; velvet suits homes and quiet playrooms where a soft touch matters more than fast cleaning.

| Cover | What our catalogue specifies | Best suited to | Examples |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| PU leather | Waterproof, wipes clean with a damp cloth; nylon zip; six standard colours | Daycare centres, kindergartens, busy play areas | TSS-001, TSS-006 |
| Sueded velvet | Soft fabric feel; on TSS-004 the covers are removable and machine washable | Homes, playrooms, sensory corners | TSS-002, TSS-004 |
| PVC | Waterproof cover over EPE foam; wipes clean | Toddler climbing blocks and value ranges | TSS-003 |

Whichever cover you choose, ask for the cover specification and cleaning instructions in writing and keep them separate from colour preferences. A similar appearance is not evidence that two products share the same construction.

![Sewing workshop where soft play and training product covers are cut and stitched](https://media.tianshuenough.com/factory-sewing-floor.webp)

## Foam filling: what to specify

Our PU leather and PVC soft play pieces are filled with EPE foam, specified for its resistance to indentation so shapes keep their form under climbing. Foam is where look-alike products differ most, and it cannot be judged from a photograph.

- Ask for the foam type and density (kg/m³) of each piece in writing.
- Ask whether the core is a single block or layered, and how edges and corners are finished.
- Press the sample and check that it recovers its shape.
- If pieces are compressed for shipping, as with TSS-004, ask how long they take to recover after unpacking and include this in your product instructions.

## Sizes, floor space and age group

Measure the floor space first, then specify every piece. Our standard modules include 50 × 50 × 25 cm pieces (TSS-001, TSS-002) and a 50 × 50 × 50 cm cube (TSS-005); dimensions and fabric colour can be customised on most models.

- List the length, width and height of each piece with units, and mark which dimensions are essential and which are open to discussion.
- For a set, describe how the pieces fit together and the floor area the assembled layout needs.
- State the setting and the age group the products are intended for, so these requirements are addressed in the specification.

## Market documents and safety information

Requirements for children’s products depend on where they are sold and how they are used. Tell the supplier your destination market and setting, and ask which documents are available for that exact model and cover. CE and CPC documents are available for relevant products; the applicable documents and product scope are confirmed for each product and order. Our facility holds an amfori BSCI social audit and ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certificates (certified scope: sports mats), which you can [inspect on our About page](/about#certifications).

## Packaging and product information

State whether the order needs individual retail packs, sets packed together or bulk cartons. Include label artwork, language requirements and any instructions that must travel with the product, and ask for packed dimensions and weights when comparing shipping options.

If you are preparing an online listing, list the photographs and measurements you need, and check that every photograph, model number and description refers to the exact version being ordered.

## Use the sample to settle open questions

1. Dimensions of each piece against your brief.
2. Colour, cover finish and stitching.
3. Foam firmness and shape recovery.
4. Zips, hook-and-loop fasteners and how pieces connect.
5. Packaging, labels and the information supplied with the product.

Record requested changes so the next version can be checked against the same brief. For the quotation, give quantities by model, your destination and requested delivery date, and ask the supplier to state the specification, packing method and delivery terms the price is based on.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the minimum order for soft play sets?

Trial orders start from 100 pieces, so you can test a new product before committing to volume. Customisation thresholds vary by model — some velvet sets accept colour and size changes on orders of more than 100 sets — so confirm them in the quotation.

### Can colours, sizes and branding be changed?

Yes. Dimensions and fabric colour can be customised on most models, and logos, labels and packaging are handled as [OEM / ODM projects](/oem-odm).

### How are soft play covers cleaned?

PU leather and PVC covers wipe clean with a damp cloth. Velvet covers on TSS-004 are removable and machine washable. Confirm the cleaning instructions for each model before you print packaging.

### Which documents are available for my market?

CE and CPC documents are available for relevant products; the applicable documents and product scope are confirmed for each product and order. Our facility holds an amfori BSCI social audit and ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certificates (certified scope: sports mats), which you can [inspect on our About page](/about#certifications).

## Next step

Shortlist models from the [soft play catalogue](/products/category/soft-play), then use the [enquiry builder](/contact) to list quantities, sizes and your destination market. Sourcing gym products as well? Read our [soft plyo box buying guide](/blog/plyo-box-sourcing-checklist).

About the author: this guide was prepared by the product team at Nantong Tianshu Sports Products Co., Ltd., a manufacturer of soft sports products and kids sensory training equipment in Rudong, Nantong, China. Since 2018 we have supplied brands, wholesalers, importers and schools from approximately 10,000 m² of production space with a team of around 40, supporting [OEM and ODM projects](/oem-odm) and trial orders from 100 pieces. [Learn more about our factory](/about).

---
HTML version: /blog/soft-play-sourcing-checklist
Enquiries: /contact