PPB May 2015

EDITOR’S PICKS

42 •

PPB

• MAY 2015

GROW

Material Makeup

BAGS TODAY ARE MOST COMMONLY MADE from natural fibers, petroleum-based raw

content and recycled or repurposed materials. Their durability, strength and feel are based

on a number of factors. Not sure which bag type works best for your client? Start with the

basics: Ask what the bag will be used to carry, and who will be carrying it. Decorating pref-

erences also determine the type of bag a client will want to purchase—some materials are

more suited to screen printing; others, embroidery or appliqué.

Woven

Cotton

—can be organic,

recycled or traditional

Linen

—spun from flax,

and can be difficult to dye

Hemp

—one of the oldest plant fibers used

in cloth-making; stronger than cotton

Nylon

—a synthetic fiber

that can be made from

oil-refining or agricultural

byproducts

Jute

—a plant fiber that

produces coarse threads;

also known as burlap

Non-woven

Paper

—most commonly made of wood pulp, but

also made from flax (linen) and hemp, as well as wild

grasses such as bamboo

LDPE

(low-density polyethyl-

ene)—lightweight thermoplas-

tic with lower tensile strength

than HDPE, but more pliable;

recyclable

HDPE

(high-density polyethylene)—

lightweight thermoplastic with high

tensile strength, high resistance to

heat and high rigidity; recyclable

Polypropylene

—a

lightweight thermoplas-

tic with high tensile and

compressive strength;

excellent colorfast

properties; recyclable

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