Bag Fabric Manufacturer & Exporter: Dyed Cotton Canvas for Bags
Strong, colourfast dyed cotton canvas from 10 to 15 oz for totes, backpacks, duffels and industrial bags. Wide colour range, ISO-tested performance and export supply from Kanpur, India.
Canvas That Keeps Its Colour and Shape Through Daily Use
Bags come in many colours, shapes and sizes, from everyday totes and fashion backpacks to industrial carrying and tool bags. The fabric is usually dyed cotton canvas, chosen for a set of properties that keep the bag looking good and performing well.
Cotton Canvas supplies bag fabric in a wide, consistent colour palette with good light fastness, water resistance and strength for stitching, handles and heavy loads.
- Tote & shopping bags
- Backpacks & rucksacks
- Duffels & travel bags
- Tool, utility & industrial bags

Bag Fabric at a Glance
The core construction details buyers specify for bag canvas.
- Fabric base
- Dyed Cotton / Canvas
- Common weights
- 10 oz to 15 oz
- Weave pattern
- Plain & Ripstop
- Key property
- Wide colour range
What a Good Bag Fabric Must Deliver
Bag fabric needs to hold its colour and shape through daily use. Our bag canvas is built around these six requirements.
Breathability
Natural cotton canvas lets air through, keeping contents fresh and preventing odours.
High water resistance
Dense weaves shed light rain, with water-repellent and wax finishes available.
Good light fastness
Vat and pigment dyes achieve grade 4 to 5 light fastness, so colours stay rich.
Wide colour range
Dyed to order in a broad, consistent palette for brand and seasonal collections.
Rot-proof & anti-bacterial
Anti-fungal tested canvas that resists mildew in storage and humid climates.
Flame & temperature resistance
Flame-retardant and heat-resistant finishes for industrial and tool bags.
Bag Fabric Technical Specifications
Common bag canvas weights with approximate GSM, followed by lab-tested data for every available quality. Click View PDF on any row to open the full technical specification sheet in a new tab, where you can also download it.
| Weight (oz per sq. yd) | Approx. GSM | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 10 oz | 339 GSM | Totes, shoppers & pouches |
| 12 oz | 407 GSM | Backpacks & fashion bags |
| 15 oz | 509 GSM | Duffels, tool & industrial bags |
Commonly used qualities for bags are 10, 12 and 15 oz, in plain and ripstop weave.
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 Bag Canvas 275 to 800 GSM
Natural cotton canvas that breathes and swells when wet to shed water. The classic choice for totes, backpacks and heritage bags.
| 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 Bag Canvas 220 to 580 GSM
Blends from 30:70 to 65:35 combine cotton breathability with polyester strength, lower weight and faster drying. Ripstop qualities resist tear propagation. Lighter, tear-resistant canvas for backpacks and travel bags.
| 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 Bag Canvas 250 to 410 GSM
The highest tensile and tear strength with minimal shrinkage, in filament (300D and 600D) and spun constructions. High strength for industrial, tool and technical bags.
| 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 Canvas Suits Your Bag?
Typical fabric choices by bag type. Our team will confirm the best construction for your design, load and finish.

Totes & Shopping Bags
Soft, printable canvas that is strong enough for daily loads.
Cotton 275 to 350 GSM
Backpacks & Rucksacks
Tear-resistant canvas that holds its shape with heavy contents.
Cotton or poly-cotton 350 to 450 GSM
Duffels & Travel Bags
Durable, water-resistant canvas for bags that are packed and carried often.
Cotton 400 to 510 GSM
Tool, Utility & Industrial Bags
Heavy canvas with high tensile and tear strength for tools and equipment.
Cotton or polyester 480 to 650 GSMRecommended Cotton Canvas Fabrics for Bags
Our Cotton Canvas and Dyed Canvas ranges are ideal for bag manufacturing, offering strength along with a wide, consistent colour palette. For a more sustainable option, our PET Fabrics range, made from recycled PET bottles, is increasingly popular with eco-conscious bag brands.
Built for International Bag Brands
Custom constructions
GSM, blend, weave and width developed to match your bag specification.
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.
Bag Fabric: Frequently Asked Questions
What fabric is best for making canvas bags?
Dyed cotton canvas between 10 oz and 15 oz is the most popular bag fabric. It is strong, breathable, easy to stitch and print, and holds colour well. Poly-cotton and polyester canvas are used where lower weight or higher tear strength is needed.
What GSM is used for tote bags and backpacks?
Tote and shopping bags typically use 10 oz canvas (about 340 GSM), backpacks and fashion bags around 12 oz (about 410 GSM), and duffels, tool and industrial bags 15 oz (about 510 GSM) or heavier.
Can bag canvas be dyed in custom colours?
Yes. Bag canvas is dyed to order with vat or pigment dyes in a wide, consistent colour range, achieving grade 4 to 5 light fastness on the listed qualities.
Is canvas bag fabric water resistant?
Our qualities pass a 24-hour cone test with no water drop and record spray ratings of 85 to 95%. Water-repellent and wax finishes can be added for outdoor and travel bags.
Do you offer sustainable bag fabric?
Yes. Our PET Fabrics range is made from recycled PET bottles and is popular with eco-conscious bag brands.
How can I get the technical specification sheet?
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.
Do you export bag fabric?
Yes. Cotton Canvas manufactures in Kanpur, India, and has supplied canvas since 1983. Bag canvas is exported worldwide to bag makers and brands.
Ready to Source Canvas for Your Bag Collection?
Share your bag type, target GSM, colours, finish and quantity. We will recommend the right construction and send technical data sheets and a quotation.