How do canvas and polyester differ from each other? Each of these fabrics has unique traits, pros and cons. They also have different applications, from clothing to bags. You probably see them every day and can recognize which is which, most of the time. But if you are interested in learning more about these materials, this article is for you.
What Is Canvas?
Canvas is a plain-woven fabric most often made from cotton (traditionally, hemp) and linen. It is characterized as being durable and heavy-duty, as well as water-resistant. Sometimes, you may even find a water-proof canvas, which is when synthetic fibers are blended with it.
Keep in mind that canvas comes in a variety. You will find canvas in different textures, weights, and finishes based on what it will be used for. This is why it may surprise you that a canvas for painting feels different than the rugged, heavy-duty ones for industrial use.
How is it made?
The plain weave is used to make canvas. This is a basic textile weave, but really strong nonetheless. It involves the horizontal (weft) threads woven over and under each vertical (warp) thread, which stays fixed on the loom.
Typically, two-ply yarns make up a cotton canvas. It may also be two single yarns spun together. This makes up more textured, heavier, and thicker canvas. On the other hand, you can expect canvas used for art to be thinner and lighter as it often uses only single-ply yarn.
What Is Polyester?
Polyester is a synthetic material usually made from petroleum. It is one of the most common textiles in the world, used in numerous applications in both consumer and industrial contexts.
The chemical composition of polyester is that of compounds from the ester functional group. Polyester fibers are synthetic, but they are also plant-based. Most of them are produced from ethylene, a component of petroleum.
Most polyester materials are non-biodegradable, but others are. But since most of its forms do not decompose, its production is one of the biggest contributors to worldwide pollution.
Canvas vs. Polyester – Key Differences
Here are some of the key differences between canvas and polyester:
Raw Materials
Canvas is a natural fabric. As we mentioned, it is most often made from natural fibers either hemp or cotton, mixed with linen. The raw materials that make up the fabric give it a more organic aesthetic.
As for polyester, you know by now that it is made of synthetic fiber, derived from petroleum or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the most common type of plastic. This material is usually produced in the laboratory.
Breathability and Absorption
Two of the main characteristics of a canvas are that it is breathable and highly absorbent. They are why the fabric is used in clothing and other applications. Air freely passes through this fabric, making it an ideal material for shoes and clothes.
The canvas fabric is also highly absorbent, owing to the fact it is made from cotton. This absorbency is an advantage that applies in many instances, such as in painting. Both these traits make canvas one of the most versatile materials for various applications.
Compared to canvas, polyester is less breathable and absorbent. Over the years, technological advancements in fabric production have made polyester more breathable but not as good as a canvas. Most polyester clothing still traps moisture and heat.
Polyester is hydrophobic, meaning it is less absorbent than canvas and more moisture-wicking. Instead of absorbing moisture, it repels them instead. The water does not move to the inner layer of the fabric, but outside, where it dries fast.
Durability and Wrinkle Resistance
Canvas is renowned for its durability. After all, it is made from some of the strongest materials, especially when blended with polyester. The tightly woven structure of the fabric also contributes to its strength.
While it does have some wrinkle resistance thanks to the fabric’s structure and thickness, it is not as good as polyester. When you fold or store canvas improperly, it still tends to wrinkle and crease.
The two biggest advantages of polyester are its durability and wrinkle resistance. This material has strong fibers capable of withstanding wear and tear. It can handle abrasion and most cases of damage, making it suitable for numerous products and applications.
Polyester fibers can retain their shape very well, making them resistant to wrinkles. As such, the fabric usually stays the same even after lengthy use and several washes. It is why polyester clothing is popular as it keeps a polished look in most situations.
Water Resistance
Canvas, unfortunately, does not have much water resistance. Being highly absorbent, the fabric often becomes damp when it comes in contact with water. It also usually takes a long time to dry as a result. The good news is it can still become a bit water-resistant through treatments such as the application of wax, making it suitable for outdoor use.
We said before that polyester is hydrophobic, which means it is water-resistant. With its moisture-wicking ability, it can repel water and keep the fabric relatively dry. This characteristic is why polyester is popularly used in jackets and outdoor gear. Even better, polyester can be treated to enhance its natural ability to resist water.
Aesthetics
Canvas and polyester also differ in terms of appearance.
Canvas:
Textured and Coarse
You will notice that a canvas feels coarse to the touch and is textured. This is true in fabrics made of natural fibers like linen and cotton. It may not look as good as other fabrics, but the texture of canvas is valued in the art industry.
On that note, canvas has varied textures based on its weave pattern and weight. With that said, heavy-duty canvas usually feels more rugged than lighter-weight versions.
Patina
One thing to expect from canvas as it ages is the patina it develops. This happens often when the fabric is always exposed to light and air. However, most people do not consider this a flaw as it actually gives the fabric a character.
Fading
Fading also happens with canvas and other natural fabrics. Over time, its color may fade, usually due to sunlight exposure. Just like with the patina, the fading actually adds to the appearance of the canvas, making it look vintage.
Polyester:
Smooth, Uniform, and Soft
Compared to natural fabrics, polyester has a smoother, more uniform texture. This gives the fabric a more sleek and modern feel. Polyesters are also mostly soft and comfortable, depending on the weave and finish.
Colorfastness
The ability to retain color well even as it ages is one of the best qualities of polyesters. This is why clothing and other apparel made from this fabric usually do not have a problem with fading, and look the same consistently.
Wrinkle Resistance
Going back to the fabric’s resistance to wrinkles, polyester appears more polished. After all, it does not have to deal with wrinkles all the time. This makes the fabric an excellent material for various applications in the clothing department.
Eco-Friendliness
As you know by now, polyester is produced from petroleum-based chemicals. It is derived from non-renewable resources, which means it has a significant environmental impact. Producing polyester uses limited resources and generates greenhouse gasses.
Polyester is far from eco-friendly, but fortunately, there are efforts to make it so. To be specific, there is RPET or recycled polyester. It was developed to deal with the environmental issues with using PET bottles.
In terms of eco-friendliness, we can say canvas is the best choice between the two. Since it is made from natural fibers, it does not have a notable negative impact on the environment. However, there might still be issues regarding pesticide and water usage.
Cost Difference
A number of factors affect the cost difference between canvas and polyester. Some of these factors include the type of canvas, the quality of the fabric, and the type of polyester. Let us tell you a bit more about these factors:
Type of Canvas
Cotton canvas is usually more affordable, but the cost still depends on the weight and thickness of the fabric. Whether it is primed for art also affects the price. On the other hand, linen canvas is often more expensive due to the laborious process of producing linen.
Type of Polyester
The type and quality of polyester are the two major factors that affect the cost of polyester. However, you can expect that it is typically lower priced than canvas, cotton, or linen. Of course, higher quality polyester for outdoor or technician use is often more expensive.
Blend Fabrics
If the fabric is a blend, i.e. canvas mixed with polyester or polyester mixed with cotton, then the cost is a bit different. It will depend on how much each of the different materials are in the blend, plus the quality of the product.
Intended Application
What will the fabric be used for? The intended application for the canvas or polyester also affects their cost. Basic canvas and polyester are usually cheaper but if the polyester is for outdoor gear or the canvas is for art, then you can expect them to be a little bit costly.
Canvas and Polyester – Pros and Cons
Canvas
Here are the most common pros and cons of canvas:
Pros:
- Natural aesthetics
- Highly breathable and comfortable
- Highly absorbent
- Eco-friendly
- Durable
Cons:
- Prone to wrinkling
- Susceptible to mold and mildew
- Colors fade over time
- Needs more care and maintenance
Polyester
Here are the most common pros and cons of polyester:
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Quick-drying
- Wrinkle-resistant
- Durable
- Smooth and polished appearance
- Flexible
- Machine-washable
Cons:
- Less breathable
- Less absorbent
- Not usually sustainable
- Not great for high temperatures
- Cling to sweaty skin
Common Uses of Canvas
Canvas is amazingly versatile. It can be used in numerous ways in different industries, from fashion to home décor. Common uses of canvas are as follows:
Clothing
Many types of clothing are made from canvas, most specifically jackets. You will also find many outdoor wear made from this fabric. Similarly, canvas is used in camping and sailing gear thanks to its durability and water resistance (when treated) qualities.
Bags
Canvas bags are a dime a dozen. You will easily find bags made of canvas, from backpacks to sling bags. It’s not surprising that canvas is a popular material for bags given its durability, sustainability, and capacity to be water-resistant.
Shoes
One of the most common uses of canvas is for shoes. This fabric is both durable and flexible, characteristics that make better footwear. A great example of this is the Converse sneakers, which have been known to last a long time.
Furniture
Canvas’ strength and durability also make it an excellent material for upholstering furniture. Due to these traits, canvas-fitted furniture does well against repeated use. They are also why canvas are excellent outdoor furniture cushion and covers.
Art and Painting
One of canvas’ most popular applications is in the art industry. It is a very popular surface for painting. Many artists love painting on canvas due to being super absorbent and the textured surface that adds character to their art
Sails
Originally, sails on boats used canvas. Today, most of them use synthetic sailcloth. Nevertheless, canvas is still useful as a sail thanks to its resistance to elements, strength, and durability.
Tents and Tarps
Due to canvas’ durability and resistance to elements, it has always been used for tents and outdoor shelters. Synthetic materials are most commonly used today, but certain applications, like camping, still use canvas.
Backdrops
Photographers are among the people who often use canvas. They commonly use the fabric as backdrops. They like canvas a lot for this type of use due to the fabric being lightweight and incredibly easy to bring.
Coverings
Canvas is also heavily used in military and construction industries, mainly as coverings. Treated canvas made to be waterproof is commonly used in both industries, covering doorways, construction materials, boats, and many more.
Common Uses of Polyester
Like canvas, polyester is also incredibly versatile. While the two have many different characteristics, both polyester and canvas are durable and long-lasting. These are more than enough reasons to make highly popular fabrics.
Clothing
Polyester is most commonly used in clothing. You are sure to find shirts, pants, skirts, and dresses made of polyester. The fabric is popular even with activewear. Most of the time, the clothing is a mix of polyester and other materials to improve comfort and performance.
Cushioning, Insulating, and Upholstery
The durability and ability to retain its shape are two of the main reasons polyester is a common material for upholstery, cushioning, and insulating. The fabric’s flexibility, moisture-wicking, and water resistance also help.
Outdoor Gear
Part of the fabric’s popularity in the clothing department, polyester is highly useful for outdoor gear like jackets, sportswear, and raincoats. Its ability to retain heat and resist water and elements are great qualities for outerwear.
Shoes
Like canvas, polyester is also commonly used in footwear. In this case, they use polyester to produce sneakers, athletic shoes, and other footwear that can resist water and withstand more than the usual wear and tear.
Bags
Due to the strength and durability of polyester, many manufacturers opted to use it to make all types of bags. It has been a staple fabric for backpacks, sling bags, luggage, and others, even travel accessories.
Carpets and Rugs
Polyester is resilient, easy to clean, and resistant to stain. All these qualities make it an ideal material for manufacturing rugs and carpets. Polyester helps make it possible for rugs and carpets to withstand the heavy traffic they usually encounter.
Tents and Camping Gear
Just like how polyester makes great outdoor wear, it also makes excellent camping gear, tents, and outdoor equipment for the same reason. Polyester’s durability, resilience, and water resistance help campers withstand the elements.
Home Textiles
The same as most of the applications in this list, polyester is popularly used in home textiles for its durability. Aside from that, you will find it made into sheets, bed linens, drapes, curtains, and pillowcases due to its wrinkle resistance and colorfastness.
Industrial Use
Polyester is not only utilized for indoor or outdoor use but is also just as useful in industrial applications. The material is actually used in hoses, conveyor belts, safety belts, bottles, and many more due to its strength and ability to resist wear and tear.
Both canvas and polyester are used in varied applications. You will see them used in just about everything, the reason why they are so popular. If you are looking for an adaptable material, no doubt canvas and polyester are at the top of your choices.
How to Choose the Right Material?
Various contexts necessitate being particular in the material you use. This is true, particularly in clothing, furniture, art, hand-carried accessories, carpets, and more. Every material, in this case fabric, has different characteristics, benefits, and drawbacks.
Your choice of material is important as it can significantly affect the final product’s quality, performance, and aesthetics. With that said, below are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing the right material for your project:
Purpose and Application
Of course, it is important to consider what’s your purpose and what you will need the material for. That way, you will be able to better match with materials that can satisfy your needs, whether it is for art and DIY crafts to more heavy-duty projects.
Aesthetic Preferences
Keep in mind how canvas and polyester look. Do you want a more textured and vintage look? Then canvas is perfect for you. If you want something smoother and more polished, then polyester is what you need.
Durability, Water Resistance, & Breathability
Don’t forget to consider the main characteristics of each material. Both are durable but polyester is more resistant to wear and tear. Both can be water resistant but canvas needs treatment first. They can also be both breathable but canvas is much better.
Environmental Impact
If you are self-conscious about climate change and sustainability, both fabrics can fall into the category. However, canvas is perhaps the better option since polyester is made from a limited natural resource.
Budget
Don’t forget to think about your budget. Remember that polyester is usually cheaper than canvas. But if you want higher quality polyester, you can expect it to be a little higher priced, especially if it’s from a popular brand.
Conclusion
Canvas and polyester are both amazing materials. They both have incredible characteristics that make them distinctive from each other. Hopefully, this article helps you decide on which material is perfect for your project.
If you are looking for the right bag by fabric, please contact the Bajrne bag factory, there are many different fabrics to choose from.
