From fashion houses to retailers, many brands are now opting for eco-friendly solutions. This paradigm shift is largely due to the growing demand for sustainability. One of the biggest goals is to make Tote bags are available in a manner of shapes, sizes, designs, and materials. Apart from brand papackaging recyclable and biodegradable. And that’s where tote bags come in.
ckaging, a lot of customers are looking for trendy tote bags with a personal touch. The most popular materials for such bags are burlap and canvas. The material dictates important factors like budget, durability, and aesthetic of the bag. That’s why it’s important to choose wisely!
So, burlap bag or canvas bag, which one should you choose? Read on for an in-depth analysis of these two materials and make the right choice.
What Is The Difference Between Burlap Bags And Canvas Bags?
Burlap Bags
Burlap bags are made out of the material burlap which comes from the stem of jute plants. This has the qualities of both wood and cloth due to the mixture of polymer and cellulose in the stem. This same fiber is also used to make rope, sacks, mats, and twine.
You can instantly recognize jute by its coarse feel and unique rustic look. The texture of the material is super rough which gives it a certain appeal. Jute is an amazing eco-friendly material because it’s completely biodegradable. On top of that, the manufacturing process consumes less power as well. While the material is quite inexpensive it’s still very sturdy and resilient.
Canvas Bags
Unlike burlap which is made from jute stem, canvas was traditionally made out of hemp fibers. However, most modern-day canvas bags are made from cotton canvas. Cotton turns into canvas through a knitting procedure known as plain weave. This makes canvas super durable and resistant to wear and tear. That’s why cotton canvas is even used for making heavy-duty bags, clothing, tents, and more.
Canvas material is softly textured and provides endless possibilities for customization. The only downside is that it’s more expensive than burlap. This is because the manufacturing process takes a lot longer than jute. While cotton is biodegradable, it takes more resources to manufacture. Even then, canvas is a lot less expensive and environmentally destructive than leather.
Burlap Or Canvas – Which Bag Is Right For You?
The kind of material you choose for your tote bags will have an impact on your sales, and overall business. Here are some factors to consider before making your decision:
Look And Texture
The first thing to consider is the aesthetic you are going for. If you’re into a more rustic and charming feel, burlap bags will be the better choice. The material has a beige color and a rough texture that goes perfectly with certain looks. If you want to present a homegrown image, customized burlap bags will do the trick.
However, if you want a more refined and polished feel, cotton canvas would fit your style more. These bags have a soft texture and look way more professional. This makes them ideal for corporate giveaways, employee gifts, merchandise, and more.
Budget And Affordability
If you’re ordering your tote bags in bulk for packaging, giveaways, or an event, you need to consider your budget. Usually, burlap bags are cheaper as the manufacturing process is fairly inexpensive. On the other hand, cotton canvas takes more resources to produce. This makes canvas bags pricier than your average burlap bag.
The best thing to do is ask your trusted manufacturer for a quote before committing to a single material. If the canvas bags are out of your budget, you can always go for burlap which is just as popular.
Printing Preferences
When it comes to printing your designs on the bags, you have several options. Some of the most popular printing methods include:
- Screen printing
- Heat transfer printing
- Digital printing
- Silk printing
These printing methods work on both burlap and canvas but the results may differ. Due to the noticeable weave and texture of jute, it’s better for non-detailed prints. This might include block printing or other uncomplicated designs. There’s also the risk of the print chipping away over time. Cotton canvas on the other hand is the perfect material for high-quality printing.
Since canvas holds inks really well, it provides a more long-lasting print. This gives you more flexibility when it comes to printing options. The fine weave of the canvas ensures that detailed designs look amazing when printed. In short, if you need a high-quality, detailed print, canvas is the way to go. However, if your printing needs are not that complex, burlap is worth considering.
Durability And Longevity
When it comes to strength, both burlap and canvas are worthy contenders. Burlap is quite resilient due to its sturdy fibers. That’s why it’s commonly used to make sacks that lift heavy loads with ease. However, jute may be prone to fraying over time.
Canvas is also a very durable material that’s used for creating everything from tents to tote bags. You can choose the thickness of cotton canvas depending on the use case. It can easily carry heavy loads such as books and groceries. As the cotton weave is really tight, canvas bags may last longer than burlap ones.
Environmental Impact
Fortunately, both canvas and burlap are considered to be recyclable and biodegradable materials. Although, there are a few important differences that make burlap better than canvas. The production process of burlap uses less water and is quite fast as compared to cotton.
Cotton takes a longer time and much more water, pesticide, and fertilizer to grow. This means it has a bigger carbon impact and chemical consumption. To make it worth the effort, a cotton canvas bag has to be used 100 times.
So, if you’re looking for the most eco-friendly solution, you might want to go for burlap instead.
| Criteria | Canvas Bags | Burlap Bags |
| Fabric | Made out of a cotton weave that’s sturdy and resilient. | Made out of jute stem with qualities of both cloth and wood. |
| Look and Feel | Smooth and refined texture due to tightly knit cotton. Cleaner and professional look. | Highly textured finish. Gives a more rustic look. |
| Cost | More expensive than burlap. | Very cheap and affordable. |
| Environmental Impact | Recyclable and biodegradable.Higher carbon impact and chemical consumption. | Recyclable and biodegradable.Low carbon impact and chemical consumption. |
| Durability | Resistant to wear and tear. Highly durable. Can withstand heavy loads. | Highly sturdy and durable. Can be used for heavy loads. Might wear and tear much easily over time. |
| Printing | Provides a lot of flexibility for printing options. Cotton holds inks well. Good for detailed, high-quality prints. | Not many options when it comes to printing designs. Good for simplistic prints. Lower quality prints than canvas. |
Burlap And Canvas Bag Ideas
Looking for a bit of tote bag inspiration? Here are some exciting ideas for burlap and canvas bags for you to try.
Burlap Bags
Rustic Wine Gift Bag
If you’re a fan of Pinterest wedding boards, you’ll love this rustic wine gift bag. Made out of 100% natural jute fibers, this will be a hit at weddings, parties, or as a gift on Christmas. This is also ideal for wineries who want a more charming packaging.
Cute Drawstring Bag
Who doesn’t love a cute drawstring bag? You can make it even cuter by choosing burlap as the material. This will ensure that your little bag is full of character. The bag can even be customized to display your brand name, couple names, or more.
Cool Beach Bag
Return to the beach in style with this cool burlap beach bag. The natural material blends right in with the summery beach vibes.
Canvas Bags
Convenient Grocery Bag
Cotton canvas grocery bags will be your ideal companion to the supermarket. These bags can carry a heavy load with ease without any wear and tear.
Yoga Mat Carrier
Fitness freaks will love this eco-friendly yoga mat carrier made from cotton canvas. It’s a safe, secure, and stylish way to carry your best workout gear.
Printed Tote Bag
This simple yet stylish canvas tote bag opens up a whole world of possibilities for you. Through customization options, you can control the color, design and look of this bag.
Why Choose Customized Burlap And Canvas Bags?
Whether you’re upgrading your packaging or selling merch, tote bags are the best option. Add value to your customer journey through fully customized burlap and canvas bags. With a wide array of customizability options, you can get exactly what you want.
Looking for a reliable tote bag manufacturer to help you out? Avecobaggie provides the largest selection of environmentally friendly bags online. Their customization services are fully fine-grained for a truly bespoke experience.
Conclusion
One of the most important considerations while choosing a tote bag is the material. With so many materials available, it can be hard to pick one. However, the most popular ones are canvas and burlap. Many people are confused between these two equally worthy fabrics. Hopefully, our comparison of burlap and canvas will help you make the right choice.
