As more and more shoppers turn to eco reusable bags, but not all shopping bags are created equal. So, when you need to order custom reusable shopping bags, you can distinguish and choose by the reusable bags’ material type. Following this guide to learn more about these 23 reusable shopping bag fabrics!
Last Updated on May 12, 2025 by Gentle Packing Team
Fabric Basics: Structure and Fiber Types
Fabrics consist of two main components: fabric structure (woven, knitted, or non-woven) and fabric fiber (natural, synthetic, or blended).
Fabric construction refers to how a piece of fabric is constructed, including woven, knitted, or embroidered fabric.
Common fabric constructions include plain weave fabrics (simple and durable for everyday handbags), twill weave (soft diagonal patterns for high-end handbags), and satin weave (smooth and shiny for luxury packaging).
Fabric fibers are the raw materials used to make fabrics, including natural fibers like cotton, synthetic fibers like polyester, and blended options for balanced performance.
How Many Different Types of Fabrics for Reusable Bags Are There?
This guide divides reusable bag material into five groups: Natural Fabrics, Synthetic Fabrics, Semi-synthetic and Special Fabrics, Blended Fabrics, and Woven fabrics.
Natural Fabrics
Made from renewable resources, natural fabrics are breathable and biodegradable, which is why they’re popular in sustainable packaging.
Cotton
Cotton is a natural fiber that comes from the cotton plant. The tight plain weave fabric gives it a smooth surface. It’s known for being soft, breathable, and hypoallergenic.
Because it’s versatile, cotton is easy to dye and handle, which is why it’s used in so many different industries. Cotton fabric is widely used in reusable bags, clothing, home textiles, and industrial applications.
It’s also biodegradable, so it supports eco-friendly production, such as reusable shopping bags and grocery bags. You can customize cotton bags with your logo. Organic cotton bags are soft and eco-friendly, which makes them great for corporate gifting or retail branding.
Jute
Jute is a natural fiber that comes from the jute plant. It’s known for being rough and having a high tensile strength.
Because it’s eco-friendly, it’s used mainly in sustainable product packaging and reusable grocery bags. It’s also used in carpets and rugs. Jute is biodegradable, which makes it a good fit for environmentally conscious brands. However, it’s rough, so it’s not used for products that go directly on your skin.
If you’re a business that’s focused on sustainability, you can use jute bags for packaging and brand promotions. They’re a natural, eco-friendly way to present your products. You can use them for events or if you’re doing a marketing campaign that’s focused on the environment.
Hemp
Hemp is a natural fiber that comes from the hemp plant. It’s known for being strong, durable, and good for the environment. It’s lightweight, breathable, and resistant to mold. That’s why it’s used in sustainable fashion, bags, and industrial textiles.
It needs less water, and it grows quickly. That’s why it’s becoming more popular with eco-friendly brands.
If you’re an eco-friendly company, you can use hemp reusable bags instead of disposable plastic bags. Hemp reusable bags are biodegradable and have natural strength. They’re great if you want to be more eco-friendly.
Linen
Linen fabric, sourced from the flax plant, is a luxurious, lightweight fabric highly regarded for its cool feel and moisture-wicking properties.
It’s great for summer clothes and household linens because it’s a plain woven fabric. It’s durable and naturally resists dirt and stains. Linen has a natural texture that makes it look high-end. However, it wrinkles easily, so you have to be careful with it.
You can use linen bags if you want something that looks nice and is natural. They’re good for boutiques or if you’re doing something for a corporate event.
Silk
Silk is a luxurious natural fabric that comes from silkworms. It has a smooth, shiny surface and is highly valued for being soft and having a natural sheen.
Silk is light and strong, so it’s great for luxury clothing, wedding dresses, and evening gowns. However, you have to be careful because it can be delicate and expensive to make.
You don’t see silk bags made of delicate fabric often because it’s too fragile. But silk fabric bags are a good choice for proms, luxury clothing, evening wear, and accessories.
Leather
Leather is a natural fabric made from animal hides. It’s known for being strong, lasting a long time, and looking expensive. It ages well and gets a patina over time, which is why it’s popular for high-end things like handbags, jackets, and upholstery. It’s durable, but you have to take care of it.
Leather is a fancy fabric known for being fancy and lasting a long time. If you’re doing luxury branding, you can go with leather-based bags. Of course, a leather blend bag can make a high-quality, memorable impression at an exclusive promotion or upscale event!
Synthetic Fabrics
Polypropylene (PP)
PP, or polypropylene, is a lightweight synthetic fiber known for being chemical, water, and stain-resistant. It’s used a lot in packaging, reusable bags, and activewear. It’s not as breathable as natural fibers, but it’s durable and water-resistant, which makes it great for outdoor stuff.
Polypropylene bags give you a customizable, long-lasting way to brand yourself or promote your stuff. Within PP materials, there are two main fabric types: non-woven and woven, each offering unique benefits for different use cases.
1. Non-Woven Polypropylene Fabrics
Non-woven fabric is a low-cost fabric that’s made by bonding fibers instead of weaving or knitting them. This process creates a smooth, flexible material that’s ideal for:
- Promotional bags and giveaways
- Retail packaging and bulk orders
- Light-duty reusable shopping bags
- Medical and hygiene products
Non-woven fabric bags are perfect for brands that want an affordable, reusable option for bulk orders. You get an eco-friendly, lightweight NWPP bag with full branding features. Of course, recycled PP Non woven bags and PLA bags are more and more popular due to their sustainable property.
2. PP Woven Fabric
Polypropylene woven fabric is made from polypropylene and is known for its strength, durability, and ability to carry heavy loads. PP woven bags are very durable and great for heavy-duty use, they’re designed for industries like retail or agriculture.
Businesses commonly use these high-quality fabrics in heavy-duty packaging, shopping bags, and industrial products. It’s also water-resistant, so it’s great for outdoor use.
Polyester
Polyester is a super durable synthetic fiber known for being wrinkle-, shrink-, and stretch-resistant. It’s used a lot in sportswear, outerwear, and home textiles because it’s versatile.
Synthetic fibers are often mixed with natural fibers to make the fabric perform better, so polyester is used a lot in all kinds of things.
Polyester bags are good for brands that need something reliable, cheap, and weather-resistant for a lot of bags or brand promotions.
Nylon
Nylon is a synthetic plastic material made from high molecular weight polyamides, but it’s not usually made into a fiber. It is a lightweight synthetic fiber. It’s durable and feels smooth. It’s great for foldable bags or travel bags because it’s flexible and can resist water.
Foldable nylon bags are a strong, water-resistant option for companies that need a lot of bags and want them to last.
Tyvek
Tyvek from DuPont is a 100% synthetic material that looks like paper but is as strong as fabric. It’s also waterproof and can’t be torn.
Tyvek is used a lot in protective clothing, packaging, and banners because it can’t be torn and is weatherproof. It’s lightweight and can be used for all kinds of industrial stuff.
Tyvek bags are waterproof and customizable. This is the best choice if you need waterproofing for your products, such as electronics, important data, etc.
PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is a versatile synthetic material that resists water, chemicals, and abrasion well. It’s often used in raincoats, clear bags, and upholstery. Although it’s durable, it’s not the most environmentally friendly because of its composition.
PVC bags are good for waterproof packaging, or if you need something you can see through, like cosmetic packaging.
PEVA
PEVA (Polyethylene Vinyl Acetate) is a non-chlorinated alternative to PVC. It’s soft and waterproof. It’s also safer because it’s less toxic.
You see it a lot in household stuff like shower curtains and garment bags for storage. You can also see it in fashion and protective packaging. Learn more about the difference between PEVA and cotton bags.
PEVA reusable bags are great for protective packaging for sensitive stuff, and you can customize them for branding.
Acrylic
Acrylic is a warm, lightweight, synthetic fiber that looks and feels like wool, which makes it a popular alternative. It’s commonly used for knit fabrics like sweaters and home decor. Acrylic holds color well but may not be as durable as natural wool over time.
Also, it’s often used for cooler bags or thermally insulated bags. Acrylic bags are a versatile choice for brands that want to make stylish, functional products that keep things warm, like food industry brands or winter-focused brands.
Semi-Synthetic Fabric and Special Fabrics
Semi-synthetic fabrics are made by combining natural and synthetic fibers to enhance their qualities.
RPET
RPET, or recycled polyethylene terephthalate, is a sustainable material made from recycled plastic bottles. It’s known for its durability, lightweight, and environmentally friendly profiles. It’s widely used to create products that support circular economy goals.
According to the data, we can see that the demand for food-grade RPETs is expected to grow dramatically and may increase by 10-15 times by 2030. The fabric is becoming more and more popular with brands that care about the environment because it helps to reduce plastic waste by recycling single-use plastic bottles to turn plastic into practical, reusable items.
RPET bags are made from recycled drink bottles, they are a sustainable and durable option for businesses that care about the environment. They are perfect for green initiatives, corporate gifts, or retail packaging. They can help companies show their commitment to the environment.
Laminated Fabrics
Laminated fabrics are two (or more) layer structures where a polymer film is bonded to the fabric. This adds a protective layer to the base material, which makes it more water-resistant and durable.
Used a lot in outdoor gear and protective clothing, laminated fabrics are versatile and easy to clean. They’re especially popular in things that need to be flexible but also need to keep moisture out.
Laminated bags are designed for brands that need water-resistant, durable packaging. Great for outdoor events or grocery shopping, these bags give you a lot of protection from the elements while still letting you show off your brand.
Canvas
Canvas is a durable, heavyweight woven fabric made from cotton or linen. It is a plain weave fabric usually made of cotton thread. It’s not a woven cotton twill fabric like denim. Canvas fabrics are highly resistant to wear and tear, so they’re great for products like tote bags, shoes, and outdoor covers.
Canvas fabrics are popular in fashion and art because they can take a beating and still hold up over time. They can be dyed in a lot of different colors.
The custom canvas bags are very durable and perfect for everyday use in retail or promotional events. Canva shopping bags are heavy-duty, so they’re great for long-term use. They’re perfect for brands that want to offer reliable, stylish tote bags.
Blended Fabrics
Blended fabrics combine fibers to get certain properties, which enhance versatility and comfort.
Poly-Cotton Blend
Polyester-cotton fabrics are usually made up of 65% polyester fibers and 35% cotton, but the blend can vary. It is often used as a poly-cotton bag.
A poly-cotton blend combines the breathability of cotton with the durability of polyester, so you get a versatile fabric that’s easy to care for and doesn’t wrinkle. This blend is used a lot in foldable bags, uniforms, and casual clothes because it feels good and lasts a long time.
Jute-Cotton Blend
This blend combines the natural, eco-friendly qualities of jute with the soft fabric of cotton. Jute-cotton blends are popular in reusable bags, promotional items, and eco-conscious products because you get a sustainable option that’s also stronger and softer.
Cotton-Nylon Blend
When you combine cotton with nylon, you get a fabric that’s lightweight but also durable. It’s stronger and more flexible, too. This blend is often used in activewear, jackets, and bags.
You can use cotton-nylon blend shopping bags when you need a fabric that’s strong and lightweight. They’re perfect for businesses that need durable reusable bags that can handle being used every day. They’re great for people with active lifestyles and for promoting your brand.
Linen-Polyester Blend
A linen-polyester blend keeps the natural texture of linen and adds the durability and wrinkle resistance of polyester. This fabric is often used in upholstery, table linens, and garments where you want something that looks good but is also tough.
Linen-polyester blend grocery bags look professional and are more durable. They’re great for corporate gifts or high-end retail bags where you want to look fancy.
Woven Fabric Types
Woven fabrics are made by using different weaving techniques. Each technique gives the fabric different properties for different uses.
Plain Weave Fabric
Plain weave is the simplest and most common weave pattern. The fibers crisscross each other in a tight, plain weave pattern.
This makes a durable, balanced fabric that’s used for things like shirts, sheets, and workwear. Plain weave fabrics are versatile, easy to work with, and great for high-traffic applications.
You can also use plain weaves like muslin to make reusable bags. People use these bags for things like storing fruits and vegetables to keep them fresh.
Twill Weave Fabric
Twill weaves are another popular type of woven fabric. They make a diagonal pattern in the fabric. This gives fabrics like denim and gabardine a unique, textured look.
You can use twill in cotton and woven fabrics to make reusable grocery bags. These bags will be more structured and are designed for brands that want to look powerful and stylish.
Satin Weave Fabric
Satin weave has a smooth surface with a high sheen, made by floating fibers over several other fibers. This makes a fancy fabric that’s used for things like evening wear, bridal gowns, and fancy home decor. It’s delicate and needs to be handled and cared for properly.
Satin drawstring bags make your luxury brand or exclusive event look fancy. They give you a fancy look with smooth finishes. They’re great for fancy product displays or gift bags.
Sustainability Considerations and Your Next Steps
According to the World Bank, the textile industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions. Sustainable fabrics like recycled polyester and organic cotton let you lower your environmental impact. You should choose certified fabrics whenever you can. This helps you attract customers who care about the environment.
Choosing the right reusable bag material means that your product meets your specific needs in terms of quality and price, environmental friendliness, and durability, balancing customer requirements.
Contact Gentle Packing for support in selecting the most appropriate fabric for your needs, and perform the following steps.