What Are The Types of Printing For Non-woven and PP-woven

Non-woven and PP woven bags are a common way to design business logos or details while serving their primary purpose. Before we examine how your non-woven and PP woven bags can be customised, let us examine how they are made and their uses.

If you are confused about the difference between non-woven and PP woven fabrics, this article will help you understand the difference.

Both non-woven and PP woven materials are made from recycled plastic. The difference is in the production process of both materials.

Continue reading to have an in-depth understanding of both fabrics.

2.1, Non-woven fabric

Non-woven fabrics are made from thermoplastic polymer polypropylene. Therefore non-woven fabrics are web structures joined together by entangling filaments through chemical, mechanical and thermal bonding.

Non-woven fabrics are not made by weaving and do not require transforming fibres into yarn- a common production method in cotton, jute and other natural fibres.

Non-woven fabric applications include baby diapers, adult incontinence products, wet wipes, surgical drapes and covers, liquid cartridges, bag filters, face masks, bags, etc.

2.2, Non-woven manufacturing process

Non-woven fabric manufacturing processes include web formation, bonding and finishing/converting.

Web formation- How the non-woven fibre is formed is a key determinant of the physical property of the non-woven fabric. A common technology used for forming webs directly from the filament immediately after they exit the extruder is the spun laid technology.

The fibrous webs have little to no mechanical strength, hence, they require further processing to form a useful fabric. Such processing includes chemical and thermal bonding.

In chemical bonding, the chemical binder is applied to the web and is cured. The most common type of chemical binder is latex.

In thermal bonding, heat is used to bond web structures that have thermoplastic fibre. All parts of the fibre act like a thermal binder, thus, there is no need for latex.

Finishing and converting are the last processes involved in producing non-woven fabrics. Finishing includes coating and lamination.

After finishing the fabric, it is cut according to customer order sizes. This is referred to as converting.

2.3, PP woven fabric

PP woven fabric is made from polypropylene and is useful in a wide range of applications.

Polypropylene (PP) is a type of thermoplastic resin material that is produced by the polymerisation of propylene.

Woven PP is the method by which threads are woven in weft and warp directions to form a fabric.

PP woven fabric is used in bags, sacks for fertilisers, cement and food grains, upholstery for furniture, carpets, etc.

Non-woven and PP woven bags are the most common products made from non-woven and PP woven fabrics. These bags are available in different sizes and are suitable for different uses.

One application that non-woven and PP woven fabrics have in common is that they are used to make reusable bags.

Non-woven bags you can easily come across are wine bags, dust/shoe bags, garment bags, drawstring bags, tote bags, cooler bags and shopping bags.

PP woven bags you can easily come across are wine bags, tote bags, cooler bags and shopping bags.

Non-woven and PP woven bags can be customised with logos, graphics or any other details you desire. Printing your non-woven/PP woven bags helps you achieve personalisation and brand promotion.

The following are the methods of applying graphics to your non-woven and PP woven bags:

Thermal transfer– In thermal transfer, a medium is required for printing, that is, the graphics are first printed on a transfer film and then, the transfer film is placed on the woven or non-woven bag which then releases the graphic through heating.

This printing method gives an excellent printing outcome, it has a rich layering structure, and it is suitable for printing on a small surface area.

Silk screen– In silk screen printing, a mesh screen and block stencil are needed to spread ink onto the surface of a material. A machine is responsible for moving the blade across the screen to fill the open mesh sections with ink. Finally, the blades reverse and cause the screen to touch the surface.

Screen printing is the best printing method for simple designs and designs that have solid colours. This printing method is long-lasting and suitable for both short-run and long-run projects.

Printing on the laminate– Laminates are glossy materials that can be printed and applied to non-woven or PP woven bags to enhance their appearance.

Laminated printing works by printing your desired design on a thin laminate film and then applying the printed laminate on the non-woven or PP woven fabric through heat.

For more detailed designs, laminate printing is recommended.

Laminated bags are waterproof, which makes them suitable for grocery shopping bags.

When to use any of the printing methods

How do you choose thermal transfer, silk screen or laminate printing as the customising method for your shopping bags?

If you are printing a simple design, then you should choose either thermal transfer or silk screen printing methods.

However, if you want to print a more detailed design, printing on laminate is the ideal printing method.

This article has explained in detail how you can differentiate non-woven fabrics from PP woven fabrics.

It also explained the products that can be derived from these materials including shopping bags, cooler bags, wine bags, tote bags, dust bags, etc.

Lastly, we discussed the three major printing methods for PP woven and non-woven bags. That is thermal transfer, silk screen and laminate printing.

Now that you know all about PP woven and non-woven bags and printing methods, you can easily choose any of them based on your preferences.

References

“What is Polypropylene Fabric: Properties, How it’s Made and Where”- Sewport Support Team

“Nonwoven Manufacturing”- New Cloth Market

“About Nonwovens”- Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

“Non-Woven Fabrics, Application, and its Features”- Worldsupporter

“Woven Polypropylene Bags: The Complete Guide”- China Woven Bag

“Fabric Printing Method: 3 Options for Tote Bag Customisation”- Bukit Timah Shopping Centre

“What is Screen Printing? How it Works, Benefits and Applications”- Ynvisible