The Textile Archive collection now housed in the Lister Building (originally the College of Textile Technology) evidences the diversity of textile design and manufacture in the Bradford area. The collection also gives an indication of the nature of the innovative and experimental work that students and staff in the college have, through the years, been able to offer to the industry.

Although actual examples from the archive collection will be displayed, from time to time, the college has no intention of creating a museum of textiles. Instead, the collection will serve primarily as a research facility. This will operate primarily for the college's own students but should also serve a broader network of research. In particular, the collection provides a rich resource not only for those exploring textile history but also for the study of local history, industrial and social history and/or teaching and learning styles, at different periods.

The Archive collection comprises:

• India Collection c.1868 - bound volumes of fabric samples illustrating a wide range of traditional Indian fabrics from functional tent cloths to highly decorated fabrics embroidered with gold thread.
• Bradford College student design and workbooks - from students who studied on the numerous textile courses the college offered between 1890 - 1950
• Textbooks - relating to textile design, manufacture, craft
• Pattern Books - large bound volumes from companies such as Denholme Velvets containing fabric samples from all over the world which would have been used by the company designers for reference. Within the 'America' series of pattern books are the famous Salvador Dali printed textile designs.
• Pattern Service - publications providing colour and fabric prediction services. 'Les Tissus, 1895, 'Bilbille' dating from early 1930s to 60s, and 'Italtex' from 1980s to date.
• Pattern Cards - A3 cards displaying 8000 to 10 000 fabric samples, part of this collection comprises of pattern cards used by staff teaching textiles at Bradford College between 1850 - 1910 and illustrate particular fabric types, e.g. worsted, silk, print, lace etc
• Journals - back issues of Wool Record dating from 1913, other journals include Journal of the Textile Institute, The Textile Institute & Industry, Textile Month, Wool Science Review, Textile Horizon
• Minute Books and Cash books - from various textile trade organisations of the district.

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