Know the key differences between woven and non-woven bags. Ideal for businesses seeking custom Eco-friendly packaging.
Last Updated on January 4, 2026 by Gentle Packing Team
Globally, approximately 300 million tonnes of plastic waste is generated each year, of which more than 40% is single-use plastic packaging.
Reusable eco-friendly bags, such as woven and non-woven bags, offer a positive impact in terms of durability, cost-effectiveness, and customizability. They are not only effective in reducing the use of single-use plastics but also provide companies with premium branding opportunities.
Woven Bag
Woven tote bags are strong and durable, and they are made by interweaving individual lines with each other to form woven fabrics. Using a loom to interweave the lines gives the material a unique woven structure and strength.
Unlike twill weave and satin weave, plain weave woven fabrics provide a smooth laminated surface to the printed BOPP film. PP woven bags, in particular, are stronger and less likely to come loose with the addition of the laminated process, providing a smooth, printable surface suitable for various business needs.
Non-Woven Bag
Nonwoven bags are made of materials like polypropylene (PP), polyester (PET), and Polylactic acid (PLA), which bond fibers together through high-temperature thermal rolling, without going through any weaving process. The most common non-woven fabric bags are non-woven polypropylene bags.
How to Choose the Right Non-Woven Fabric for Tote Bags?
Selecting the right non-woven fabric ensures your tote bags are functional, durable, and eco-friendly. Here are some key considerations:
- Determine the Bag’s Purpose: Decide if the bag will be used for shopping, promotions, or carrying heavier items. This will help you select the appropriate fabric strength and durability.
- Select the Right GSM: Choose a grams per square meter (GSM) value that matches the bag’s required sturdiness and weight capacity.
- Consider Environmental Impact: Opt for biodegradable or recyclable non-woven fabrics, such as PLA or recycled PET, to reduce environmental impact and appeal to eco-conscious users.
- Evaluate Texture and Appearance: Choose a texture that complements your brand—smooth surfaces are ideal for printing, while textured fabrics offer a better grip.
- Check Water Resistance: For bags that may encounter moisture or outdoor use, select water-resistant or waterproof non-woven fabrics.
- Assess Cost and Availability: Compare fabric costs and ensure reliable availability without sacrificing quality.
- Test Printing Compatibility: Confirm the chosen fabric supports your preferred printing method, whether it’s screen printing, transfer printing, or heat sublimation.
- Review Strength and Tear Resistance: Make sure the fabric can withstand regular use and is resistant to tearing.
These considerations ensure your non-woven tote bags are not only functional and attractive but also aligned with your brand’s sustainability goals and budget.
There are many Non-woven bag printing methods, including screen printing, transfer printing, and heat sublimation printing. These methods allow for vibrant colors and detailed designs to increase brand awareness.
Are Nonwoven Textiles Biodegradable?
The biodegradability of nonwoven textiles really comes down to the materials they’re made from. Most commercial nonwoven bags—like those made with polypropylene (PP) or polyester (PET)—aren’t biodegradable. These synthetic polymers are durable and water-resistant, but can persist in the environment for years after disposal.
However, some nonwoven textiles are produced using natural fibers such as cotton, jute, or viscose. Bags made from these organic materials do break down much more easily, decomposing naturally when exposed to soil, moisture, and microorganisms.
It’s worth noting that recent innovations have led to biodegradable versions of nonwoven textiles. These are designed to degrade more quickly under composting or natural conditions, though they aren’t as widely available or used as their synthetic counterparts.
In summary:
- Synthetic nonwoven bags (PP, PET): Not biodegradable, durable, and long-lasting.
- Natural fiber nonwoven bags (cotton, jute, viscose): Biodegradable, compostable, and a better choice for the eco-conscious.
- Biodegradable alternatives: Available, but less common in the mainstream market.
As attention grows around sustainability, choosing nonwoven bags made from natural or biodegradable fibers is an important consideration for reducing environmental impact.
Is Spunbond Nonwoven Fabric Recyclable?
Absolutely—spunbond nonwoven fabric, most commonly made from polypropylene, can be recycled. Since polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer, it can be melted down and reprocessed into new items, much like other recyclable plastics.
Proper recycling of spunbond nonwoven fabric typically involves:
- Collection and Sorting: Keeping the material clean and separating it from other waste streams to ensure effective recycling.
- Processing: The fabric is melted and remanufactured into various products, helping close the loop on plastic waste.
This recyclability, paired with its strength and versatility, is a major reason why spunbond nonwoven fabric is chosen for a wide range of applications—from medical supplies to shopping bags. By recycling spunbond nonwoven materials, companies and individuals contribute to more sustainable consumption and production cycles, minimizing landfill waste and supporting eco-friendly initiatives.
Is Non-Woven Fabric Good for Clothing?
Non-woven fabric has carved out an important niche in the clothing world—just not where you might expect polos and jeans to show up. Thanks to its lightweight, breathable nature, non-woven material is widely used for single-use and protective garments, especially in medical and industrial settings.
Think of hospital gowns, surgical masks, and disposable lab coats. These are often made from non-woven polypropylene, which offers excellent barrier protection against liquids and particles—crucial for maintaining hygiene and safety. Its flexibility and softness bring comfort for short-term wear, making it an ideal choice for situations where disposability and cleanliness are paramount.
However, non-woven fabric isn’t designed for everyday fashion. It doesn’t boast the stretch or durability needed for regular, long-term use—so don’t retire your favorite cotton t-shirt just yet! Instead, non-woven’s strengths shine in applications where cost-effectiveness, hygiene, and convenience are more important than longevity or high style.
In summary, non-woven fabric is a smart, practical choice for disposable, protective, and medical wear—offering functionality where it matters most.
7 Key Differences Between Woven and Non-woven Bags
Now, we will show you 7 key differences between woven and non-woven tote bags and know their advantages, such as material, cost, customizability, etc. Let’s start.
Texture and Appearance
Woven polypropylene bags intertwine lines to create a checkerboard-like texture. This polypropylene fabric is sturdy and durable, making it suitable for carrying heavier items, and it has a stronger, more reliable appearance.
In contrast, Non-woven bags are made from smooth, soft polypropylene non woven materials or similar materials (PET, RPET, and PLA) for a thinner, more flexible, and sophisticated look.
Cost
Woven bags are more expensive than non-woven bags. This is because woven bags are produced mechanically or manually, making the complex manufacturing process and resulting in a higher cost.
Non-woven bags, on the other hand, are more cost-effective because they have a simpler production process. This is an affordable option for companies with limited budgets, especially when large-scale production is required.
Weight
Woven bags are relatively heavier than non woven bags due to the thicker and stronger material. However, its weight also makes it capable of carrying heavier items without being easily damaged.
In contrast, a Non-woven bag is lightweight and easy to carry, suitable for those occasions when you don’t need to load heavy items.
Printing
Due to the thickness and structure of the material, woven bags are often printed using gravure printing, a printing method that allows for high-resolution images to be printed on the surface and is particularly suited to the surface layer of PP woven bags.
On the other hand, Non-woven tote bags are made from a soft and smooth material that is suitable for a wide range of printing methods such as silk screen printing, transfer printing, and sublimation printing.
W cut bags offer significant advantages in terms of customization and printing flexibility, especially for colorful patterns and complex designs, as well as lower printing costs.
Durability
In terms of durability, the woven tote bag is superior because of its thick and tear-resistant material, making it able to carry heavier items and more suitable for long-term repeated use. Non-woven bags also offer more durability than plastic bags. They are more suitable for carrying lightweight items and short-term or one-time use.
However, it is worth noting that both bags can be laminated with a film that will reinforce their durability and increase reusability.
Non-woven polypropylene fabric is especially valued for its resistance to tearing, abrasion, and stretching. The fibers form a strong network, ensuring the bag maintains its shape and integrity even when subjected to mechanical stress.
This makes non-woven bags a reliable choice for repeated use, as they can withstand everyday wear and tear without significant degradation. Despite being lightweight, these bags are tough enough for regular handling, making them a practical and economical solution for those looking for a balance of strength and convenience.
Purpose and Use
Custom woven tote bags are ideal for businesses that request durability, and long-term use, such as retail stores. They are strong enough and repeated use.
However, custom non woven tote bags are better suited for lighter-use scenarios such as promotional items, trade shows, or light shopping.
Eco-friendliness
Both woven and non-woven bags are part of the eco-friendly bag business. This is because they are both made from recycled materials. They are recycled at the end of their useful life after being reused multiple times.
Here’s a table summarizing the 7 areas of comparison：
| Feature | PP woven bag | Non woven bag |
|---|---|---|
| Material and Appearance | checkerboard-like texture | smooth, soft |
| Cost | more expensive | more cost-effective |
| Weight | relatively heavier | lightweight |
| Customizability | have limit of printing methods and color options | higher customizable |
| Durability | more durable | durable |
| Purpose and Use | long-term use | lighter-use |
| Eco-friendliness | more environmentally friendly | less environmentally friendly |
Application of Woven Bags and Non-Woven Bags
Choosing between woven and non-woven bags may be difficult; here we share with you some of the business types separately to help you make the best choice.
5 Types of Businesses Using PP Woven Bags
1. Retail stores
Woven bags are sturdy and durable, perfect for retail stores that have heavier or larger items, such as grocery stores or clothing and shoe stores.
2. Promotional giveaways
If you want to make a lasting impression at a trade show or event, a woven bag is perfect as a trade show giveaway or a gift. Your customer’s repeated use of custom woven bags will continue to display your brand message and attract more potential customers.
3. Frequent use
When your customers use these bags repeatedly, you may want to invest in woven tote bags. They will last longer and your customers will see your brand more often.
4. Duty-Free store
Woven tote bags are fine and heavy-duty, suitable for carrying merchandise.
5. Wine store
PP woven bags are sturdy and long-lasting, suitable as a wine bag for carrying wine or bottles.
5 Types of Businesses Using Non-Woven Bags
1. High custom needs
With high customization needs, you can choose printed non-woven tote bags with versatile customization features. The variety of printing options provides you with colorful and crisp prints that are easy to customize with branding and logos.
2. Supermarket and small retail store
With low production costs, they are suitable for businesses with low budgets that need to distribute bags in large quantities, such as supermarkets or small retail outlets.
3. Moisture-Resistant Businesses
Waterproof treated non-woven bags are ideal for industries that require moisture resistance, such as food delivery services, the medical industry, and grocery stores.
4. Disposable Packaging Industry
If you belong to an industry that requires disposable packaging, such as takeaway services, medical packaging, or shopping bags, then non-woven bags are a cost-effective solution.
5. Seasonal promotions
Due to the short production cycle, non-woven tote bags can provide a quick supply for seasonal promotions, helping companies respond quickly to market demand during holidays or new product releases.
Why Customize Your Woven and Non-Woven Bags?
Woven carrier bags are durable and reusable. They offer customers a long-lasting option that ensures your brand message is seen again and again. In addition, they reduce the use of disposable shopping bags, helping to minimize waste and making your brand environmentally responsible.
On the other hand, non-woven tote bags are more cost-effective. Non-woven tote bags are flexible in design and can be printed with vibrant graphics and eye-catching promotional messages to increase brand recognition.
PP woven bags and non-woven bags can provide cost-effective solutions for brand-conscious and sustainable businesses. Customized bags not only reduce the use of traditional plastic bags but also increase brand awareness. They are ideal marketing tools, especially for retail, trade shows, and promotional events.
At Gentle Packing, we provide custom solutions for woven and non-woven bags with high-quality, eco-friendly options. We can customize colors, printing, and more to meet your needs.
Conclusion
Woven and non-woven bags each have their own advantages and are suitable for different businesses and applications. How you choose between the two depends on your specific business needs, budget, environmental considerations, and customization requirements.
If you still need more information about personalized reusable bags, please feel free to contact us.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between woven bags and non-woven bags?
Woven bags offer better fabric strength due to the weaving process, while non-woven bags are lighter and have a softer feel with a smooth, canvas-like surface. They also provide versatile printing methods and a wide range of fabric color options, providing you with a better, more personalized bag experience.
2. Is non-woven fabric waterproof or not?
Yes, non-woven bags are waterproof, making them an excellent alternative for single-use applications. They have become a popular choice for retail packaging and promotional items.
In addition to being waterproof, non-woven bags are valued for their strength, durability, and lightweight nature. These qualities make them well-suited for everyday use, as they can withstand regular handling while remaining cost-effective. The breathable nature of non-woven fabric helps reduce moisture buildup inside the bag, preserving the contents and making them great for groceries, giveaways, or high-quality reusable totes.
3. Can you print on non-woven bags?
Absolutely! Non-woven tote bags are perfect for personalized printing. From solid color to full CMYK logo, all can be printed onto polypropylene non-woven bags.
4. Are woven bags eco-friendly?
Yes, woven bags are an eco-friendly choice due to their durability and versatility, reducing the need for single-use plastic bags.
5. What factors should businesses consider when choosing between woven and non-woven bags?
You should choose the right type of bag based on many factors, including:
- Specific use
- Budget
- Environmental impact
- Customization needs