What is a Woven Bag?
Woven bag refers to a bag made of natural fibers (including jute, cotton, etc.) or synthetic fibers (such as polypropylene). Using these materials, two or more strands of fabric are woven in a crosswise manner, creating a bag with a durable structure.
Bags woven from natural fibers are typically biodegradable and are considered a more environmentally friendly choice. On the other hand, woven bags made from synthetic fibers, while not an environmentally friendly option, possess characteristics such as durability, moisture resistance, and chemical resistance.
The Type of Woven Bag
Jute Bag: Possesses extremely strong moisture absorption and release capabilities, is easily decomposable, and has high strength. Due to jute’s inherent antibacterial and mite-resistant properties, jute handbags also exhibit good cleanliness and hygiene.
Cotton Bag: Priced higher than non-woven fabric bags but can be repeatedly cleaned and reused. Easily degrades in natural environments.
Canvas Bag: Similar to cotton bags, easy to degrade, and even more robust and wear-resistant. It also has good waterproof performance.
The Pros and Cons of Woven Bags
There are many pros and cons to using woven bags for your business. On the plus side, woven bags are made from interlocking fibers that give them a sturdy structure. This makes them ideal for carrying heavier items or for use in harsher environments. They are also reusable, which is great for the environment. On the downside, woven bags can be expensive to buy in bulk and and they’re not as easy to store since they take up more space.
What is a Non-woven Bag?
A non-woven bag is a type of shopping bag made from a material that is not woven. Non-woven bags are usually made from polypropylene, which is plastic. This bag is a new type of fiber product formed directly using methods such as slicing, short fibers, or long filaments of high polymers through various fiber web forming techniques and bonding technologies. It possesses a soft, breathable, and flat structure.
They are often used for packaging or storing products and they are also recyclable. Non-woven bags are cheaper to produce than woven bags, and they can be printed with logos or other designs.
The Pros and Cons of Non-woven Bags
Non-woven bags are made from a variety of materials, including recycled plastics and natural fibers like cotton. They can be reused multiple times and are recyclable themselves, making them a more sustainable option than traditional plastic bags.
They are a lower-cost alternative to shopping bags, with a pollution level to the environment decreasing to 10% of plastic bags when used more than 10 times and discarded.
However, non-woven bags also have some drawbacks. They’re not as strong as woven bags, so they’re more likely to tear. And because they’re made from a variety of materials, it can be difficult to know what kind of bag is best for your needs.
How to Print on Non-woven Bags and Woven Bags?
There are various methods available for printing on both non-woven and woven bags, including Screen Printing, Digital Printing, Watermark Printing, Gravure Printing, and Heat Transfer Printing. Let’s delve into the details of each of these options.
- Screen Printing:
Screen printing involves creating a screen printing plate using manually engraved lacquer film or photosensitive plate-making methods. The pigment is then repeatedly printed onto the material through a mesh-like material using a squeegee. If a design has multiple colors, the process needs to be repeated. Therefore, for designs with many colors, other processes such as digital direct printing can be considered. Custom designs require plate-making, incurring certain costs, making screen printing slightly more expensive. It is suitable for a larger demand.
- Digital Printing:
Digital direct printing, a form of digital printing, involves directly printing ink onto fabric using digital printing equipment, followed by high-temperature heat pressing or tunnel drying to fix the color. This printing method is as simple as using a paper printer, and the speed is fast, allowing on-the-spot printing. The printing colors are not restricted by the design, as the image data is directly converted and printed by computer software.
- Watermark Printing:
Named for its use of water-based elastic paste as a printing medium, watermark printing is common in textile printing. During printing, the ink paste is mixed with water-based elastic glue. No chemical solvents are used during plate washing, and it can be directly rinsed with water. Its characteristics include good coloring power, strong coverage and fastness, water resistance, and virtually no odor. It is generally used for printing canvas bags and cotton bags.
- Gravure Printing:
Products processed using this method are usually called laminated non-woven fabric bags. This process consists of two steps: using traditional gravure printing to transfer graphics and text to a film, and then using laminating technology to composite the film with the non-woven fabric. This process is commonly used for large-area color printing of non-woven fabric bags.
Its features include exquisite printing, fully automated production, and a short production cycle. The product has excellent waterproof performance, durability, and a choice between glossy and matte films, with matte films having a frosted effect. The product is stylish, durable, with full color, realistic patterns, but it is relatively expensive.
- Heat Transfer Printing:
Heat transfer printing is a special type of printing. This method requires an intermediate medium—first, the graphics are printed onto a heat transfer film or paper, and then the pattern is transferred to the non-woven fabric through a heating transfer device. In textile printing, the commonly used medium is heat transfer film. Its advantages include exquisite printing, rich layering, and comparable quality to photos. It is suitable for small-area color image printing. The downside is that over time, the printed pattern may wear off, and it is relatively expensive.
What is the Difference Between Woven and Non-woven Tote Bags?
We will explore the distinctions among them in five key aspects: materials, texture and appearance, strength and durability, breathability, cost-effectiveness, and versatility.
Materials: Woven tote bags are typically made from woven fabrics such as cotton canvas, jute, or woven polypropylene. These materials are woven together using traditional weaving techniques, forming a sturdy and durable fabric. Non-woven tote bags are made from bonded fibers, which are fused together through various processes such as heat, chemical, or mechanical treatments. These fibers are not woven or knitted but are bonded together to form a fabric-like material.
Texture and Appearance: Woven tote bags, due to their woven structure, have a texture and appearance more similar to fabric. They often have a smooth canvas-like surface that can be printed or dyed in various colors and designs. In comparison to the smooth surface of woven tote bags, non-woven tote bags may have more fiber or felt-like texture. They may have a softer feel and can be produced in various colors and finishes.
Strength and Durability: Woven tote bags are renowned for their strength and durability, making them suitable for carrying heavy loads. They can withstand wear and tear better than many non-woven materials.
Breathability: Depending on the material, woven tote bags may offer better breathability compared to some non-woven materials, allowing air to circulate more freely.
Cost-effectiveness: The production cost of non-woven tote bags is generally more cost-effective than woven tote bags, making them a popular choice for promotional items, giveaways, and single-use applications.
Versatility: Non-woven tote bags can be designed to have specific features such as waterproof, flame-resistant, or antibacterial properties, depending on the manufacturing process and additives used.
The Best Bag for the Environment
A woven bag is the best bag for the environment. There are many reasons why this is the case, but the most important one is that woven bags are made from natural materials. This means that they are biodegradable and will not add to the pollution problem. Non-woven bags, on the other hand, are made from synthetic materials that can take centuries to degrade.
Another reason why woven bags are the best choice for the environment is that they are reusable. Unlike disposable plastic bags, which end up in landfills, you can use a woven bag over and over again. Some people even make their reusable bags out of old clothes or fabric scraps.
How to Decide if a Woven or Non-woven Bag is Right for Your Business?
If you are looking for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option for your business, a woven bag may be the right choice. Woven bags are made of natural fibers and can be reused or composted. Non-woven bags are made of synthetic materials and are not as durable. If you are looking for a cheaper option, non-woven bags may be the way to go.
Moreover, if you are trying to decide between a woven or non-woven bag for your business, consider the following: what will you be using the bags for? If you need a strong, sturdy bag that can hold a lot of weight, go with a woven bag. If you need a lighter bag that takes up less space, go with a non-woven bag. Whichever type of bag you choose, make sure it is made from quality materials and construction so that it will last.
