Key takeaways
- “Cotton”, “poly-cotton” and “polyester” describe fibre content; “canvas” names a fabric construction. None of these words tells you the finished bag’s hand-feel, stiffness or print result.
- A blend means two or more fibres, not a fixed ratio. For poly-cotton, ask for both percentages and the cloth reference.
- In the US, the FTC lists tote bags among products outside Textile Act fibre-content labelling, so write the composition into your specification instead of expecting it on a label.
- Compare swatches on the same bag design, approve the logo on the chosen fabric, and agree care wording on the complete bag rather than from a fibre name.
Start with the bag you want to make
When ordering a canvas tote, choose the fabric through a named bag design and a physical swatch. “Cotton”, “poly-cotton” and “polyester” identify different fibre options, while “canvas” describes a fabric construction. None of those words, by itself, tells you the finished bag’s hand-feel, stiffness, print appearance or suitability for your contents. Keep the same proposed bag shape while comparing materials, so a different gusset or lining does not become an unnoticed part of the comparison.
LinHord’s canvas configurators list all-cotton, poly-cotton and all-polyester options for discussion. The Flat Canvas Tote gives a straightforward starting shape; a Gusseted Canvas Tote adds a different base and side construction. Choose the reference first, then ask which exact fabric, colour and finish can be sampled and quoted for that version. Configurator choices describe the enquiry, while the accepted specification identifies the production material.
What does each material name actually specify?
For an all-cotton proposal, request the stated fibre composition and the reference used to identify the cloth. For poly-cotton, ask for the actual percentages instead of assuming that every supplier uses the same blend. For an all-polyester proposal, identify the particular fabric rather than treating every polyester cloth as interchangeable. CottonWorks defines a blend as a substrate containing two or more fibres; the word alone does not supply their proportions.
Record whether composition information refers to the bag body alone or also to the handles, lining and labels. A cotton body does not make a polyester webbing handle cotton. Where a material claim matters to your product description, agree the evidence and component scope before approving the wording. The production brief should make the proposed fabric recognisable to both the buyer and the factory.
| Option | Identify first | Then compare on samples |
|---|---|---|
| All cotton | Body composition, cloth reference and finish | Texture, colour, decoration and complete-bag appearance |
| Poly-cotton | Both fibre percentages and the specific cloth | The proposed blend against the other candidate fabrics |
| All polyester | Composition, construction and finish of that fabric | The chosen surface, print trial and finished sample |
Does the same fabric weight mean the same feel?
Two fabrics with the same nominal weight can feel and fold differently. Put their measured weight, agreed tolerance, weave, colour and finish on the sample record. Compare them in the same light and at a similar size. Lift and fold the swatches, look at the surface and reverse, and note what you actually prefer: a softer fold, a firmer outline, a more visible weave or a smoother area for the artwork.
Use the canvas-weight guide to keep ounces and grams per square metre clear. Select a weight and finish for the intended design rather than declaring one fibre the strongest, lightest or best for every tote. If carrying performance matters, specify the complete-bag check separately, including the contents and handle attachment. Fibre choice is one input into that finished construction.
Approve the logo on the selected fabric
Give the decorator the actual fibre specification, finish, colour and artwork. Ask for a trial of the proposed decoration method on that fabric. Compare the smallest necessary lettering, solid areas, edges and reverse, then handle the sample as the bag will be handled. A good print or embroidery result on a different cloth is a useful visual reference, but it does not approve the new fabric-and-decoration combination.
For a collection with several body colours, decide whether each colour needs its own decoration trial. Specify which marks must match and which differences may be accepted. Keep the approved artwork size and the physical result together. This is more useful for quoting than asking whether a fibre can “take any logo”, because the actual artwork and process remain part of the decision.
Confirm care and carrying expectations on the complete bag
Describe the intended contents and how the tote will be used, then review the finished sample with those contents inside. Check how the body folds, how the base sits and how the handles feel. If a lining or stiffener is proposed, include that exact component in the comparison. Changes introduced to improve one feature should be visible in the specification and quotation.
Agree the intended care route with the supplier using the complete material and decoration list. Do not promise washability or dimensional stability from a fibre name alone. If washing is proposed, define the relevant sample review and retain the approved instruction for that version. The canvas-care and colour-transfer guides cover those checks in more detail.
Send a short, comparable material brief
Choose two or three candidate fabrics for one bag version, rather than changing every variable at once. Ask the quotation to name each proposed cloth and to identify any change in construction, decoration or packing. If the fabric remains undecided, request clearly labelled alternatives so the options can be compared without confusing their specifications.
- Bag reference and intended contents; body dimensions and handle requirements.
- Composition, cloth reference, weight, colour and finish for each alternative.
- Artwork, decoration method, sample checks and proposed care wording.
- Quantity for each style and finished colour, delivery destination and sampling needs.
Frequently asked questions
Is cotton or polyester better for a canvas tote?
Neither is best for every tote. Keep one bag design, compare swatches of similar nominal weight for fold, surface, colour and print area, then approve a finished sample. LinHord’s canvas configurators offer all-cotton, poly-cotton and all-polyester options; the quotation names the exact fabric for your version.
What does “poly-cotton” mean on a quotation?
It means a polyester and cotton blend. CottonWorks defines a blend as two or more fibres in a substrate, so the word alone does not state the proportions. Ask for both percentages and the cloth reference.
Will the fibre content appear on a tote bag label?
Not necessarily. For textiles covered by the US Textile Act, the FTC requires generic fibre names and percentages by weight, but it lists tote bags among products that are not covered. Record the composition, and which components it applies to, in your specification.
If the bag body is cotton, is the whole bag cotton?
No. Handles, lining, thread and labels can use other fibres; a cotton body does not make a polyester webbing handle cotton. State whether a composition claim covers the body only or the complete bag.
What are the minimum order and typical timing?
LinHord’s bulk minimum is 100 pcs per style per colour; colours cannot be combined. Typical timing is 7–10 days for sampling and 25–35 days for bulk production, and each quotation confirms the schedule for that project.
Send your canvas tote reference and candidate fabric details through the RFQ form. LinHord’s bulk minimum is 100 pcs per style per colour; different colours cannot be combined. Contact the team to agree sampling for the selected fabric and bag version.