Burlap is a common coarse-woven fabric, usually made from jute fiber. It is widely used for bags, packaging, agriculture, gardening, and home décor. In different markets, burlap is also often used alongside terms such as jute and hessian.
This article introduces the material composition, manufacturing process, main properties, common uses, and different types of burlap, and further explains how this material is used in bags and packaging.
Burlap is a plain-weave1 fabric with a relatively rough surface and visible woven texture. It is usually made from jute fiber, although other plant fibers can also be used. Its warp and weft yarns are usually relatively coarse, giving the fabric a visible open-weave texture and a natural appearance.
Natural burlap is usually light brown or beige-brown. It has good strength and breathability and also absorbs moisture easily. Depending on yarn thickness, weave density, and finishing method, burlap can range from loose and coarse to denser and smoother in appearance.
Burlap is commonly used for sacks, shopping bags, packaging, gardening, home décor, and crafts. In North America, it is usually called burlap, while the term hessian is also commonly used in the UK, Australia, and other markets.
Burlap is most commonly made from jute fiber. Jute fiber is processed, spun into yarn, and woven into burlap, so natural burlap usually retains a visible plant-fiber texture and a light brown color.
In addition to jute, some burlap can also be woven from hemp or other plant fibers. However, in everyday commercial, packaging, and bag-making applications, burlap usually refers mainly to a coarse woven fabric made from jute.
There is also synthetic burlap or faux burlap on the market, usually made from synthetic fibers such as polyester. These materials can imitate the coarse woven appearance of natural burlap, but they differ from natural burlap in fiber source, moisture absorption, and biodegradability.
Burlap production usually begins with the processing of plant fibers. Taking the most common jute burlap as an example, jute stalks are retted to separate the fibers, which are then washed, dried, and prepared for spinning.
The processed jute fibers are spun into yarn and then woven into fabric using a plain-weave structure. Burlap usually uses relatively coarse yarns and a more open weave, giving the finished fabric a visible warp-and-weft texture and a coarse feel.
After weaving, burlap can be used in its natural state or undergo further processes such as dyeing, printing, lamination, or other finishing treatments. Different yarn specifications, weave densities, and finishing methods affect the final fabric’s appearance, feel, and performance.
Natural burlap has a coarse woven texture, good breathability, and moisture absorption, and its cut edges are also relatively easy to fray. Its performance is affected by yarn thickness, weave density, and finishing methods, so different burlap fabrics can vary noticeably in feel, stiffness, and surface condition.
These characteristics mainly apply to natural burlap that has not been laminated or coated. After lamination, the fabric’s stiffness, stability, breathability, and ability to hold its shape will change.
PE lamination adds a layer of polyethylene2 to the back of burlap. The laminated layer does not change the composition of the jute fiber, but it does change the structure and performance of the fabric as a whole.
PE lamination can increase the stiffness and dimensional stability of burlap while making a looser woven structure more stable. Compared with single-layer natural burlap, laminated fabric holds its shape more easily, making it more suitable for tote bags, shopping bags, and other bags with bottoms, side panels, or a more structured shape.
Lamination also reduces burlap’s original breathability and changes its softness and natural feel. The final load-bearing capacity of a bag is not determined by the PE layer alone. It is also affected by fabric weight, bag construction, handles, stitching, and load-bearing points.
Burlap has a wide range of uses, from traditional agricultural packaging to tote bags, gift bags, and home décor.
Burlap does not have only one fixed classification system. In the market, different types of burlap are usually distinguished by fiber source, weave structure, and finishing method. These classifications can overlap in the same fabric. For example, one burlap fabric can be natural jute, fine-weave, dyed, and PE-laminated at the same time.
Jute, burlap, and hessian are often used together, but they emphasize different meanings. Jute refers to jute fiber, while in bag, packaging, and everyday commercial applications, burlap usually refers to a coarse woven fabric made from jute fiber.
Hessian is commonly used as the name for burlap in the UK, Australia, and other markets. In the jute bag and packaging industry, burlap and hessian therefore usually refer to the same type of coarse woven jute fabric, with the difference mainly being regional terminology. Cambridge also uses burlap in American English as the equivalent of hessian in British English.
In the broader textile definition, burlap can also refer to similar coarse woven fabrics made from hemp and other plant fibers, but jute remains the most common material for burlap in commercial bag-making applications.
Burlap retains the coarse woven texture of natural plant fibers and can also take on different appearances and structural properties through dyeing, lamination, and other finishing treatments. For bags and packaging, weave specifications, fabric weight, and finishing methods all affect the stiffness, feel, appearance, and performance of the finished product.
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Answer: Jute refers to the plant fiber, while burlap usually refers to a coarse woven fabric made from jute in bag and packaging applications. Hessian is a common regional name for burlap, especially in the UK and Australia.
Answer: Natural burlap is not waterproof because plant fibers can absorb moisture and the woven structure allows water to pass through. PE lamination or coating can improve water resistance, but the final performance depends on the material structure and treatment used.
Answer: Burlap tote bags can be durable, but their strength depends on fabric weight, weave density, lamination, stitching, handles, and bag construction. A laminated burlap tote usually has better shape stability than a single-layer burlap bag.
Answer: Burlap bag stiffness is affected by fabric weight, weave density, and whether the material has been laminated or backed. PE-laminated burlap is usually stiffer and holds a structured tote shape more easily than single-layer natural burlap.
Answer: Yes, burlap is suitable for drawstring bags in different sizes. Different weave densities and fabric weights can be selected depending on the bag size, required structure, and intended use.
Answer: Yes, burlap bags can be customized with logos using screen printing, heat transfer, UV digital printing, embroidery, or labels, depending on the fabric surface and design. Coarser weaves may make very fine lines and small text less clear than smoother or finer-weave burlap.
Answer: Natural burlap can change in size or shape after absorbing water, especially if it is washed or dried without controlled conditions. The degree of change depends on the fiber, weave, and finishing treatment.
Answer: Natural burlap can develop mold or unpleasant odors if it remains damp for a long time. Keeping burlap bags dry and well ventilated helps reduce problems caused by prolonged moisture.
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We will contact you within 1 working day, please pay attention to the email with the suffix “@yanxinbag.com”.
