Understanding Search Types

Palett offers three distinct search scopes, each serving different needs. Understanding when to use each will help you find materials faster and more accurately.

The Three Search Types

1. Palett Library (Default)

What it is: Our curated catalog of 340,000+ materials from 70+ verified vendors

What you get:

• ✅ Complete specifications (dimensions, materials, finishes, performance ratings)
• ✅ High-quality product images
• ✅ Accurate pricing (when available from vendors)
• ✅ Lead time estimates
• ✅ Vendor contact information
• ✅ Certifications and compliance data

Best for:

• Starting new projects
• Clients who value quality and verified specs
• Commercial projects requiring certifications
• When you need reliable lead times and pricing

Vendors included:

• WAC Lighting (24,000+ products)
• Loloi (23,000+ rugs)
• FilzFelt (20,000+ wall finishes)
• Interface, Schumacher, RBW, Kravet, Carnegie Fabrics
• 70+ total manufacturers

Example query: "LEED-certified carpet tile for commercial office"

---

2. Web Products

What it is: Materials from across the internet, including vendor websites, online retailers, and marketplaces

What you get:

• ✅ Broader selection beyond our curated vendors
• ✅ Emerging brands and niche products
• ✅ Boutique and artisan materials
• ⚠️ Varying quality of specifications
• ⚠️ May require manual verification of availability/pricing

Best for:

• Exploring beyond our curated selection
• Finding unique or one-of-a-kind pieces
• Discovering new brands and artisans
• When Palett Library doesn't have what you need

Limitations:

• Specs may be incomplete or unverified
• Pricing might be outdated
• Lead times may require vendor confirmation
• Some products may be discontinued

Example query: "Vintage brass chandelier under $500"

How it works:

1. Switch to "Web Products" in search dropdown
2. Enter your query
3. Results include materials from across the web
4. Click through to vendor site for full details
5. Save to your library with your own notes

---

3. My Materials

What it is: Materials you've uploaded, saved, or added to your personal library

What you get:

• ✅ Only materials you've explicitly saved
• ✅ Your custom notes, tags, and pricing
• ✅ Materials you've uploaded from vendor sites or files
• ✅ Perfect for narrowing to project-specific selections

Best for:

• Searching within your existing material library
• Finding materials you saved weeks/months ago
• Reviewing materials you've used in past projects
• Creating reports of your most-used products

How to add materials:

• Save from Palett Library or Web Products
• Upload via URL (AI extracts specs)
• Manual entry with photos and specifications
• Import from project boards

Example query: "Wood flooring I saved for residential projects"

---

When to Use Each Search Type

Decision Flow

START HERE:
├─ Looking for verified, high-quality materials?
│  └─ Use: Palett Library ✅
│
├─ Need something specific not in Palett Library?
│  └─ Use: Web Products 🌐
│
├─ Want to search only materials you've saved?
│  └─ Use: My Materials 📁

Scenario-Based Guide

Scenario 1: Starting a New Project

• Use: Palett Library
• Why: Complete specs, verified vendors, reliable lead times
• Then: Save promising materials to "My Materials" for easy reference

Scenario 2: Client Has Very Specific Taste

• Use: Palett Library first
• If no luck: Switch to Web Products for broader options
• Finally: Upload client's own finds to "My Materials"

Scenario 3: Re-Using Materials from Past Projects

• Use: My Materials
• Why: Faster than re-searching, keeps notes/pricing from previous use
• Bonus: Copy materials to new project boards instantly

Scenario 4: Budget-Conscious Project

• Use: Palett Library with price filters
• Why: Accurate pricing data
• Then: Compare with Web Products for potential savings

Scenario 5: Sustainable/Certified Materials

• Use: Palett Library only
• Why: Verified certifications (LEED, FSC, Greenguard)
• Avoid: Web Products (certifications may be unverified)

---

Switching Between Search Types

In the Search Bar

1. Open search (⌘K or click search bar)
2. Click the dropdown next to the search input (shows current scope)
3. Select your preferred scope:
   • Palett Library
   • Web Products
   • My Materials
4. Search - results now filtered to chosen scope

In AI Chat

Simply tell the AI which scope to use:

• "Search Palett Library for ceramic tile"
• "Find this in web products"
• "Search my materials for wood flooring"

The AI automatically switches scopes based on your request.

---

Comparing Search Results

Quality & Reliability

Search Speed

---

Best Practices

Start Narrow, Expand if Needed

Recommended order:

1. Palett Library - Most likely to have what you need with full specs
2. Web Products - If library doesn't have specific style/brand
3. My Materials - To check if you've already sourced something similar

Example workflow:

Query: "Reclaimed wood floating shelves"

Step 1: Palett Library → 3 results (all modern finishes)
Step 2: Web Products → 50+ results (includes rustic, artisan options)
Step 3: My Materials → 1 result (used on past farmhouse project)

Choose: Web Products for variety, then save favorite to My Materials

Building Your Personal Library

Strategy: Curate as you search

1. Search Palett Library for verified materials
2. Save interesting finds to My Materials immediately
3. Add notes: Project type, client preferences, pricing, availability
4. Tag strategically: "approved", "budget option", "luxury", "sustainable"
5. Review quarterly: Remove discontinued items, update pricing

Over time, "My Materials" becomes your personalized catalog of go-to products.

Multi-Scope Search Strategy

For comprehensive sourcing:

1. Round 1: Palett Library (verified options)
2. Round 2: Web Products (expand options)
3. Round 3: My Materials (check past projects)
4. Consolidate: Add best finds from all sources to project board

This ensures you're not missing great options in any scope.

---

Advanced Tips

Scope-Specific Filters

Some filters work better with certain scopes:

Palett Library:

• ✅ Vendor filter (70+ verified brands)
• ✅ Certifications (LEED, FSC, etc.)
• ✅ Lead time (verified data)
• ✅ Price range (accurate)

Web Products:

• ✅ Price range (estimates)
• ⚠️ Vendor filter (may not be comprehensive)
• ❌ Certifications (unverified)
• ❌ Lead time (requires manual verification)

My Materials:

• ✅ Tags (your custom tags)
• ✅ Projects (materials used in specific projects)
• ✅ Date added (when you saved it)
• ✅ Custom fields (your notes)

Cross-Scope Workflow

Use case: Presenting options at multiple price points

1. Search Palett Library: "Luxury vinyl plank flooring"
2. Save 3 high-end options ($8-12/sq ft)
3. Switch to Web Products: "Budget luxury vinyl plank"
4. Save 3 budget options ($3-6/sq ft)
5. Check My Materials: See if you've used similar on past projects
6. Create comparison board with all options

---

Troubleshooting

"Why don't I see a brand I know exists?"

If searching Palett Library:

• We may not have that vendor in our curated catalog yet
• Try: Switch to "Web Products" to search external sites

If searching Web Products:

• The brand's website may not be indexed yet
• Try: Add the material manually via URL upload

"Results are overwhelming in Web Products"

Solutions:

1. Add more filters (category, price, style)
2. Make your query more specific
3. Switch back to Palett Library for curated results
4. Use visual search with a reference image to narrow results

"Can't find materials I saved last month"

Check:

1. Are you in "My Materials" scope? (might be in Palett Library)
2. Try removing search term - just browse "My Materials"
3. Check if material was saved to a specific project vs. global library
4. Use tags filter: Maybe you tagged it something specific

---

Related Topics

• Text Search: Master search queries and filters
• Visual Search: Upload images to find materials
• Creating Boards: Organize materials from all search types
• Adding Materials: Save and upload materials to your library

---

Need help? Chat with us (bottom right) or email support@palett.space.