Tent Fabric Manufacturer & Exporter: Cotton, Poly-Cotton & Polyester Canvas
Breathable, water-resistant tent canvas from 220 to 800 GSM in plain and ripstop weaves. Made in Kanpur, India, tested to ISO methods and supplied to tent makers, camping brands and project buyers worldwide.
Fabric Engineered for Tents That Perform in Every Season
Tents provide shelter for camping, trekking, expeditions, events and relief work. The fabric has to breathe, shed rain, resist wind and keep its strength after years of pitching. Cotton Canvas weaves tent fabric in 100% cotton, polyester-cotton and 100% polyester, each engineered for the conditions your tent will face.
Every quality on this page is lab-tested for tensile and tear strength, shrinkage, water resistance, light fastness and anti-fungal performance, so you can specify with confidence and reorder with consistent results.
- Ridge, bell, safari & glamping tents
- Military & relief shelters
- Event marquees & canopies
- Flysheets & groundsheets
Tent Fabric at a Glance
The core construction details buyers specify for tent canvas.
- Fabric base
- Cotton, Poly-Cotton, Polyester
- Common weights
- 8 oz to 18 oz
- Weave pattern
- Plain & Ripstop
- Key property
- High water & wind resistance
What a Good Tent Fabric Must Deliver
A tent fabric has to work hard in the field. We manufacture tent canvas engineered around these six performance requirements.
Breathability
Natural and blended yarns let water vapour escape, reducing condensation inside the tent for comfortable use in all climates.
Water & wind resistance
Dense weaves with spray ratings of 85 to 95% and a 24-hour cone test with no drop keep rain and wind out.
High tensile & tear strength
Up to 2,946 N tensile and 368 N tear strength (warp) to resist ripping at guy points, seams and pole sleeves.
Light fastness
Vat and pigment dyes achieve grade 4 to 5 light fastness (ISO 105-B02), so colours hold under strong sun.
Rot-proof & anti-bacterial
Fabric passes the soil burial test (ISO 11721-1) and Aspergillus niger test (ISO 14119) against mildew and rot.
Flame & UV resistant finish
Flame-retardant and UV-resistant finishes are available for event, military and long-exposure tentage.
Tent Fabric Technical Specifications
Standard tent canvas weights by fibre, followed by lab-tested data for every available GSM. Click View PDF on any row to open the full technical specification sheet in a new tab, where you can also download it.
| 100% Cotton canvas | Polyester-cotton canvas |
|---|---|
| 10 oz | 10 oz |
| 12 oz | 12 oz |
| 15 oz | 13 oz |
| 16 oz | 15 oz |
| 18 oz | 28 oz |
| 26 oz | — |
Commonly used tent qualities: 8 oz, 10 oz, 12 oz, 13 oz, 15 oz and 18 oz in plain and ripstop patterns.
Available GSM by Fibre Type
Test results from our technical specification sheets. All qualities are woven up to 200 cm wide, pass a 24-hour cone test with no drop, rate grade 3 to 4 for dry and wet rubbing fastness, and pass anti-fungal testing.
100% Cotton Tent Canvas 275 to 800 GSM
Breathable and naturally water-shedding as the fibres swell when wet. The classic choice for bell, safari, ridge and glamping tents.
| Quality | Fibre blend | Yarn | Tensile strength warp / weft (N) | Tear strength warp / weft (N) | Shrinkage warp / weft (%) | Water column (mm) | Spray rating (%) | Light fastness (grade) | Spec sheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 275 GSM | 100% Cotton | Ringspun | 1,151 / 1,010 | 51 / 37 | 1.00 / 0.50 | 410 | 90 | 4-5 | View PDF |
| 300 GSM | 100% Cotton | Ringspun | 1,288 / 1,080 | 57 / 35 | 1.00 / 0.50 | 610 | 90 | 4-5 | View PDF |
| 350 GSM | 100% Cotton | Ringspun | 1,202 / 1,090 | 73 / 50 | 0.75 / 0.50 | 250 | 90 | 4-5 | View PDF |
| 400 GSM | 100% Cotton | Ringspun | 1,550 / 1,450 | 92 / 66 | 0.75 / 0.50 | 300 | 90 | 5 | View PDF |
| 480 GSM | 100% Cotton | Open-end | 934 / 996 | 67 / 61 | 1.00 / 0.50 | 250 | 90 | 4-5 | View PDF |
| 490 GSM | 100% Cotton | Ringspun | 1,650 / 1,150 | 153 / 108 | 1.00 / 0.50 | 280 | 90 | 4-5 | View PDF |
| 500 GSM | 100% Cotton | Ringspun | 2,121 / 1,552 | 160 / 109 | 1.50 / Nil | 300 | 90 | 4-5 | View PDF |
| 540 GSM | 100% Cotton | Open-end | 1,699 / 882 | 118 / 74 | 1.00 / 0.50 | 250 | 85 | 5 | View PDF |
| 600 GSM | 100% Cotton | Open-end | 1,403 / 1,301 | 89 / 76 | 2.00 / 1.75 | 250 | 90 | 4-5 | View PDF |
| 650 GSM | 100% Cotton | Open-end | 1,826 / 969 | 135 / 141 | 1.00 / 0.50 | 250 | 85 | 4-5 | View PDF |
| 800 GSM | 100% Cotton | Open-end | 1,690 / 1,520 | 212 / 155 | 1.00 / 0.50 | 250 | 85 | 4-5 | View PDF |
Polyester Cotton Tent Canvas 220 to 580 GSM
Blends of 30:70 to 65:35 polyester and cotton combine cotton breathability with polyester strength, lower weight and faster drying. Ripstop qualities add a reinforced grid against tear propagation.
| Quality | Fibre blend | Yarn | Tensile strength warp / weft (N) | Tear strength warp / weft (N) | Shrinkage warp / weft (%) | Water column (mm) | Spray rating (%) | Light fastness (grade) | Spec sheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 220 GSM | 65:35 Poly-Cotton | Ringspun | 1,297 / 1,229 | 140 / 66 | 1.00 / 0.50 | 300 | 85 | 4-5 | View PDF |
| 320 GSM Ripstop | 52:48 Poly-Cotton | Ringspun | 1,709 / 1,300 | 161 / 113 | 1.00 / 0.50 | 300 | 85 | 4-5 | View PDF |
| 320 GSM | 65:35 Poly-Cotton | Ringspun | 2,202 / 1,705 | 264 / 166 | 1.00 / 0.50 | 300 | 90 | 4-5 | View PDF |
| 350 GSM | 30:70 Poly-Cotton | Open-end | 956 / 820 | 64 / 43 | 1.00 / 0.50 | 230 | 85 | 4-5 | View PDF |
| 410 GSM | 50:50 Poly-Cotton | Ringspun | 1,900 / 1,450 | 138 / 123 | 1.50 / 0.50 | 250 | 90 | 4-5 | View PDF |
| 450 GSM | 50:50 Poly-Cotton | Ringspun | 2,146 / 1,650 | 155 / 95 | 1.00 / 0.50 | 280 | 90 | 4-5 | View PDF |
| 480 GSM Ripstop | 50:50 Poly-Cotton | Ringspun | 2,350 / 1,700 | 198 / 165 | 1.50 / 0.50 | 400 | 95 | 4-5 | View PDF |
| 510 GSM | 50:50 Poly-Cotton | Ringspun | 2,433 / 1,823 | 246 / 153 | 0.75 / 0.50 | 250 | 90 | 4-5 | View PDF |
| 580 GSM Ripstop | 50:50 Poly-Cotton | Ringspun | 2,450 / 1,900 | 256 / 180 | 0.75 / 0.50 | 350 | 90 | 4-5 | View PDF |
100% Polyester Tent Fabric 250 to 410 GSM
The highest tensile and tear strength with minimal shrinkage. Filament (300D and 600D) and spun constructions for flysheets, groundsheets, canopies and covers.
| Quality | Fibre blend | Yarn | Tensile strength warp / weft (N) | Tear strength warp / weft (N) | Shrinkage warp / weft (%) | Water column (mm) | Spray rating (%) | Light fastness (grade) | Spec sheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250 GSM (300D) | 100% Polyester | Filament | 2,426 / 1,334 | 157 / 128 | 1.00 / 0.50 | 250 | 85 | 5 | View PDF |
| 310 GSM | 100% Polyester | Ringspun | 2,694 / 1,639 | 259 / 178 | 1.00 / 0.50 | 250 | 85 | 4-5 | View PDF |
| 350 GSM (600D) | 100% Polyester | Filament | 2,702 / 1,708 | 277 / 219 | 1.00 / 0.50 | 250 | 85 | 5 | View PDF |
| 410 GSM (15P) | 100% Polyester | Ringspun | 2,386 / 1,704 | 368 / 278 | 1.00 / 0.50 | 250 | 90 | 4-5 | View PDF |
| 410 GSM | 100% Polyester | Ringspun | 2,946 / 2,181 | 278 / 225 | 1.00 / 0.50 | 250 | 85 | 4-5 | View PDF |
Values are typical laboratory results and may vary within normal manufacturing tolerances. Custom constructions can be developed to your specification.
Test Methods Used
Which Tent Fabric Is Right for Your Tent?
Typical fabric choices by tent type. Our team will confirm the best construction for your design, climate and target market.
Trekking & Ridge Tents
Light enough to carry, strong enough for wind on exposed campsites.
Poly-cotton 220 to 350 GSM, ripstop
Bell, Safari & Glamping Tents
Breathable cotton keeps interiors cool in summer and dry in rain.
Cotton or poly-cotton 300 to 480 GSM
Military, Relief & Shelter Tents
Heavy constructions with rot-proof and flame-retardant finishes for long deployment.
Cotton or poly-cotton 480 to 800 GSMEvent Marquees, Flysheets & Groundsheets
High tensile strength and low shrinkage for large spans and ground contact.
Polyester 250 to 410 GSMRecommended Cotton Canvas Fabrics for Tents
For tents we typically recommend our Water Repellent Fabrics and Polyester Cotton Canvas ranges. Both are built for outdoor exposure while staying breathable and easy to stitch into panels. Where extra fire safety is required, such as for event or military tentage, Flame Retardant Fabrics can be supplied in the same weight range.
Water Repellent Fabrics
Treated canvas that sheds rain and resists moisture for flysheets, roofs and walls.
View fabric →Polyester Cotton Canvas
Breathable, tear-resistant blends from 220 to 580 GSM, including ripstop.
View fabric →Flame Retardant Fabrics
FR-treated canvas for event marquees, military and public-use tents.
View fabric →Built for International Tent Manufacturers
Custom constructions
GSM, blend, weave and width developed to match your tent specification sheet.
Finishes on request
Water-repellent, wax-proofed, PU/PVC coated, flame-retardant, UV-resistant and rot-proof.
Shade & weight consistency
Controlled dyeing and weaving tolerances for repeat and multi-container orders.
Documented quality
ISO-method test data and technical specification sheets for every quality.
Tent Fabric: Frequently Asked Questions
What fabric is best for making tents?
Cotton, poly-cotton and polyester canvas are the most widely used tent fabrics. 100% cotton canvas breathes well and swells when wet to shed rain, which makes it popular for bell, safari and glamping tents. Poly-cotton blends (50:50 or 65:35) add tear strength and lower weight, while 100% polyester is chosen for flysheets, groundsheets and covers that need high tensile strength and low shrinkage.
What GSM is used for tent canvas?
Most tents use fabric between 8 oz and 18 oz, which is roughly 275 to 610 GSM. Lightweight trekking and ridge tents typically use 220 to 350 GSM, family, bell and glamping tents 300 to 480 GSM, and heavy-duty military, relief and event tentage 480 to 800 GSM. Cotton Canvas supplies tent fabric from 220 GSM up to 800 GSM.
Is your tent fabric waterproof?
Every quality listed on this page passes a 24-hour cone test with no water drop, records a spray rating of 85 to 95% and a hydrostatic water column of 230 to 610 mm, depending on the construction. For higher water resistance, water-repellent, wax-proofed or PU and PVC coated finishes can be applied on request.
Can tent fabric be made flame retardant and UV resistant?
Yes. Tent canvas can be supplied with flame-retardant, UV-resistant, rot-proof and anti-fungal finishes. Flame-retardant fabric is typically specified for event marquees, military and refugee tentage and any tent used in public spaces.
What width and colours are available?
Tent fabric is woven in widths up to 200 cm. It can be supplied greige, bleached or dyed in custom shades using vat or pigment dyes, which gives light fastness of grade 4 to 5 on the listed qualities.
How can I get the technical specification sheet for a quality?
Use the “View PDF” link next to any quality in the tables above to open or download its technical specification sheet, or contact info@cottoncanvas.com for custom constructions. Technical data sheets include ISO test methods for fibre content, weight, tensile and tear strength, shrinkage, water resistance, light fastness and anti-fungal performance.
Do you export tent fabric?
Yes. Cotton Canvas manufactures in Kanpur, India, and has supplied canvas since 1983. Tent fabric is exported to tent makers, camping equipment brands and project buyers worldwide, with consistent shade and weight tolerances for multi-container orders.
Ready to Specify Canvas for Your Next Tent Range?
Share your tent type, target GSM, finish and quantity. We will recommend the right construction and send technical data sheets and a quotation.