.
The shipping costs are rising, contact us for a real-time quote.
Inquiry

Our Academy

Cotton VS Polyester: Which is Better for Bags?

Jacky Zhou

May 31, 2025

Comparison of cotton bag and polyester bag fabrics with blog title “Cotton VS Polyester: Which is Better for Bags?” clearly displayed

When planning marketing campaigns for your business, customizing employee welcome kits, or developing your own brand’s product line, the choice of bag material is often a critical factor that impacts the final outcome, cost control, and brand image. Faced with natural and eco-friendly cotton versus economical and durable polyester, which one can more precisely match your business needs and budget considerations? This article will provide you with a professional analysis to assist in your B2B purchasing decisions.

Cotton bags, with their natural eco-friendly properties, good breathability, and excellent printing and customization capabilities, are particularly suitable for corporate clients who emphasize brand culture transmission, pursue personalized designs, and practice sustainable development concepts. In comparison, polyester bags are favored in B2B bulk purchasing projects with strict requirements for durability, specific functionalities (like waterproofing), or budget, due to their outstanding wear and tear resistance, excellent waterproof and moisture-proof characteristics, and significant cost-effectiveness.

Having been deeply involved in the bag manufacturing industry for 13 years, as the head of Yanxin Bags, I have a profound understanding of the characteristics, applications, and cost structures of cotton and polyester, these two core fabrics. They are not just a distinction of materials but also represent different market positioning and brand expression. To help you quickly grasp key information among the many options and efficiently make the most beneficial purchasing decisions for your company, we will first present a Core Characteristics Comparison Overview Table to intuitively show the differences, and then proceed with a more in-depth analysis based on this.

Table of Contents

1. Getting to Know Cotton (Cotton Fabric)

1.1. A Brief Introduction to Cotton's Production Process

Natural Fiber: The raw material for cotton fabric is cotton, the white, fluffy fibers harvested from the common cotton plant. This is a natural fiber.

Becoming Fabric: Harvested cotton fibers go through a series of spinning processes like cleaning, carding, drawing, roving, and spinning to become cotton yarn. This yarn is then woven into cotton fabric using a loom. In our country, the industry generally refers to cotton fabrics below 8 ounces (OZ) as cotton cloth, which is relatively lightweight. Fabrics 8 OZ and above are typically called canvas, which is thicker and more wear-resistant. This article mainly discusses the lightweight cotton cloth under 8OZ.

1.2. Characteristics of Cotton

1.2.1. Advantages of Cotton

  • Eco-friendly: Cotton is natural and can be decomposed by nature.
  • Soft to the touch: Cotton fabric feels soft.
  • Good breathability: Cotton fabric has good breathability, suitable for storing items that need ventilation.
  • Easy to print on, convenient for customization: Cotton is easy to dye and print on, and the printed patterns look natural. It’s especially suitable for custom bags with personality, like the canvas bags with logos we often make in our factory.
  • Washable: Most cotton bags can be machine-washed or hand-washed.
  • Absorbent: Cotton can absorb a certain amount of moisture.

1.2.2. Disadvantages of Cotton

  • (Regular cotton) cultivation puts pressure on the environment: Growing cotton requires a lot of water, and to increase yield, a significant amount of pesticides and fertilizers may be used.
  • Prone to wrinkling and deformation: Cotton fabric wrinkles easily after washing and needs ironing. It may also shrink or deform after multiple washes.
  • Dries slowly: It doesn’t dry quickly after absorbing water.
  • Not as strong: Compared to polyester, cotton’s strength and wear resistance are poorer.

Curious about how canvas compares? Don’t miss our breakdown in Pros and Cons of Canvas Bags

2. Getting to Know Polyester

2.1. A Brief Introduction to polyester's Production Process

Synthetic Fiber from Petroleum: Polyester is not natural; it’s synthesized using chemical methods from raw materials derived from petrochemical products like petroleum or coal.

Becoming Fiber then Fabric: These chemical raw materials undergo a series of complex polymerization reactions to become polyester chips. These chips are then melted and drawn into very fine threads, much like pulling noodles. These threads are polyester fibers, which are finally woven into fabric, creating polyester cloth. Many of the promotional bags and drawstring backpacks our factory makes are polyester.

Bottom detail of polyester drawstring backpack with grommet and cord, relevant for “How to Clean Polyester Bags? A Complete Guide”, customizable in size, material, style, and printing.
Detailed cinch closure of a black and yellow polyester drawstring backpack, ideal for cleaning tips in “How to Clean Polyester Bags? A Complete Guide”, customizable in size, material, style, and printing.
Detailed view of the bottom corner of a black and yellow drawstring backpack with metal grommet and yellow cord, customizable in size, material, style, and printing.

2.2. Characteristics of Polyester

2.2.1. Advantages of Polyester

  • Especially strong and durable: Polyester is very strong, not easily torn, and very wear-resistant.
  • Resists moisture, dries quickly: Polyester doesn’t absorb much water and dries quickly when wet.
  • Resists wrinkling and shrinking: Bags made of polyester maintain their shape well, don’t wrinkle easily, and don’t shrink much after washing.
  • Lightweight: 190T and 210D polyester materials are inherently light, making the bags light and easy to carry. However, coated 420D and 600D are thicker, similar in thickness to cotton fabric.
  • Inexpensive: Generally, polyester is cheaper than cotton, especially 190T and 210D, which are very price-competitive.
  • Resistant to mold and insects.
  • Colorfast: It’s not prone to fading.

2.2.2. Disadvantages of Polyester

  • Not very eco-friendly: The raw material is petroleum, a non-renewable resource. The production process is also energy-intensive, and it’s not easily decomposed by nature (unless it’s recycled polyester made from recycled plastic bottles, like the RPET fabric our factory also uses).
  • Poor breathability: Polyester is not very breathable. It might feel a bit stuffy in summer and isn’t suitable for storing items that need ventilation.
  • Prone to static electricity: In dry weather, polyester can easily generate static electricity, attracting dust.
  • Feels a bit stiff: Compared to cotton, polyester usually doesn’t feel as soft or comfortable.
  • (Sometimes) difficult to repair if damaged: If polyester fabric tears, mending it yourself might not be as easy or effective as with cotton.

Want to explore more about polyester bags? Check out our detailed guide on What’s the Pros of Polyester Bags?

3. Cotton vs. Polyester Bags: Core Characteristics Overview

To get a more direct grasp of the core differences between cotton and polyester in bag making, we’ll first use a concise list to quickly compare their characteristics across key dimensions. This will give you an initial impression and help you quickly identify the material direction that suits your needs.

Comparison DimensionCottonPolyester
1. Source & CompositionNatural plant fiber (from cotton)Synthetic chemical fiber (polyester fiber)
2. Thickness & FeelLightweight, soft, natural feel, good drape.Various models: thin and smooth (e.g., 190T/210D), thick and stiff (e.g., 420D/600D Oxford).
3. Eco-friendlinessNaturally biodegradable.Virgin material hard to degrade; Recycled polyester (RPET) is an eco-friendly alternative.
4. Appearance & StyleNatural, simple, artistic feel, suitable for minimalist, eco-friendly styles.Smooth, modern, wide variety of bright colors, suitable for sports, casual, functional styles.
5. Durability & LifespanRelatively low, prone to wear and tear, shorter lifespan.Usually very durable, excellent tear and abrasion resistance.
6. Waterproof PerformanceNaturally absorbent, not waterproof.Inherently water-repellent; excellent waterproof performance after coating.
7. Breathability & ComfortGood breathability, skin-friendly.Poor breathability, can feel stuffy.
8. Customization & PrintabilityDecent ink absorption, screen printing gives a rustic effect; digital direct injection colors are relatively soft.Smooth surface, good for screen printing; heat sublimation/transfer offers vibrant, high-precision colors.
9. Purchasing CostModerately priced, organic cotton is higher.Thin materials are cost-effective; thick materials (like Oxford cloth) still offer cost advantages due to durability.
10. Foldability & PortabilityLightweight and easy to fold, but wrinkles easily and noticeably.Thin materials extremely easy to fold (first choice for foldable bags); thicker materials fold less easily.
11. Washing & MaintenanceProne to shrinking, deformation, color bleeding; wrinkles easily, needs ironing.Easy to clean, quick-drying, wrinkle-resistant, simple maintenance; avoid high temperatures.

4. Cotton vs. Polyester: In-Depth Analysis of Key Characteristics

After getting an initial overall impression of cotton and polyester, we will now conduct a more in-depth and detailed comparative analysis of the 11 key dimensions mentioned above. This will help you fully understand the specific performance of each material in different aspects, thereby providing a more sufficient basis for your bag purchasing and customization decisions.

4.1. Material Composition

  • Cotton: Primarily derived from the seed fibers of the natural cotton plant. It’s made through processes like harvesting, ginning, spinning, and weaving. Its core component is cellulose, a natural polymer compound that gives cotton many of its natural properties.
  • Polyester: A synthetic fiber, scientifically known as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). It’s made from chemical monomers extracted from fossil fuels like petroleum and coal, through polymerization and spinning processes.
Cotton fabric texture used in blog “Cotton VS Polyester: Which is Better for Bags?”
Cotton Fabric
Polyester material highlighting its durability and versatility in various applications
Polyester Fabric

4.2. Thickness & Feel Composition

  • Cotton: This type of cotton fabric typically presents a very lightweight texture, feels soft, and has the characteristic comfort of natural fibers.
  • Polyester: Polyester fabrics come in many models and specifications, with significant variations in thickness and feel. For example, 190T and 210D polyester fabrics are very thin and smooth, often used for lightweight foldable bags, linings, or drawstring bags. Polyester with deniers like 420D and 600D (often called Oxford cloth) is usually treated with PVC or PU coating, making it thick, stiff, and more wear-resistant. Its feel is closer to traditional Oxford cloth, suitable for tote bags, cooler bags, and tool bags that require structure and durability.

4.3. Eco-friendliness Composition

  • Cotton: As a natural fiber, cotton is biodegradable, making it relatively environmentally friendly. Certified organic cotton, grown without chemical pesticides and fertilizers, offers better protection for water resources and soil, making it a preferred choice for eco-conscious practices. However, conventional cotton farming can consume large amounts of water and may involve pesticides and fertilizers, impacting the environment.
  • Polyester: Virgin Polyester is mainly derived from non-renewable petrochemical products. Its production is energy-intensive, and it’s extremely difficult to degrade naturally once discarded, posing a challenge to environmental sustainability. Currently, Recycled Polyester (RPET), made from recycled PET plastic bottles and other waste, is a more eco-friendly alternative. It reduces reliance on virgin petroleum resources and helps with waste recycling.

4.4. Appearance & Style Composition

  • Cotton: Cotton bags usually have a natural, simple, slightly matte visual effect, easily creating an artistic, vintage, or minimalist style. Their natural texture and feel make them an ideal carrier for brands emphasizing an eco-friendly, healthy lifestyle.
  • Polyester: Polyester fabric surfaces are typically smoother and have a certain gloss (depending on the specific weave and finishing), giving a more modern look. Polyester is easy to dye and can display very vibrant and diverse colors, suitable for creating sports, casual, fashionable, or function-focused bag styles.

4.5. Durability Composition

  • Cotton: Due to its lightweight nature, this type of cotton fabric has relatively low wear resistance and tear strength. If frequently carrying heavy loads or used in rough environments, it can easily wear out, tear, or develop holes, resulting in a relatively short lifespan.
  • Polyester: Polyester is renowned for its excellent durability. Its fibers are strong, offering superior tear and abrasion resistance. Even thin polyester is generally more durable than thin cotton fabric of similar thickness. Thicker or coated polyester Oxford cloths like 420D and 600D are very robust and durable, suitable for bags that need long-term use or to withstand significant physical stress.

4.6. Waterproof Performance

  • Cotton: Cotton fibers have strong natural moisture absorption, so cotton fabric itself is not waterproof and will quickly become soaked when wet.
  • Polyester: Polyester fibers have extremely low moisture absorption, giving them inherent water-repellent properties that can resist small, brief liquid splashes (e.g., 190T, 210D polyester can handle light rain). For scenarios requiring stronger waterproof performance, polyester (especially 420D, 600D Oxford cloth) can be treated with PVC, PU, TPU coatings, or lamination to achieve excellent or even complete waterproofing.

4.7. Breathability & Comfort Composition

  • Cotton: The structural properties of cotton fibers give it good breathability, allowing air to circulate relatively freely between the fibers.
  • Polyester: Polyester fabrics are usually woven more tightly, and the breathability of the fibers themselves is far inferior to natural fibers like cotton.
Front view of a thin cotton gift bag with large blue marble UV print and drawstring closure, customizable in size, material, style, and printing.
Cotton Bag - Front View
Flat lay of a lightweight cotton gift bag with large-scale blue marble UV print and natural drawstring, customizable in size, material, style, and printing.
Cotton Bag - Flat View

4.8. Printability Composition

  • Cotton: Cotton has decent ink absorption and is suitable for screen printing, which can produce a rustic, vintage pattern effect. For Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing, while full-color patterns are achievable, the vibrancy and saturation of colors are usually less than polyester sublimation, resulting in a softer, more natural overall style. Pattern fineness might also be slightly less than on smooth polyester surfaces due to the natural roughness of cotton fibers.
  • Polyester: Due to its smooth surface and fine fibers, polyester fabric is very suitable for screen printing, heat transfer, and sublimation. Sublimation printing, in particular, allows dye molecules to penetrate the fibers, creating patterns with extremely vibrant colors and high saturation.

4.9. Purchasing Cost Composition

  • Cotton: Moderately priced. However, if organic cotton is chosen, its price will be significantly higher than regular cotton.
  • Polyester: Lightweight polyester fabrics like 190T and 210D, due to high production efficiency and relatively low raw material costs, usually offer a very significant price advantage and are extremely cost-effective, making them common choices for bulk promotional bags and inner bags. While 420D and 600D polyester Oxford cloths are more expensive, they still offer good cost-effectiveness compared to other materials of similar durability, considering their excellent durability and functionality.

4.10. Foldability & Portability Composition

  • Cotton: Being lightweight, it’s easy to fold and carry. However, its main drawback is that it develops wrinkles after folding that don’t easily smooth out on their own, affecting its appearance.
  • Polyester: Lightweight polyester fabrics (like 190T, 210D) are very soft and have good wrinkle resistance, making them extremely easy to fold into a small volume. They are the preferred material for portable foldable shopping bags and travel storage bags. Thick, coated polyester Oxford cloths like 420D and 600D are not recommended for folding.

4.11. Washing & Maintenance Composition

  • Cotton: Cotton bags can be machine-washed or hand-washed. However, note that cotton products may shrink to some extent (especially on the first wash), deform, and dark-colored products may risk color bleeding. Cotton fabric wrinkles easily after washing and usually requires ironing to restore a smooth, attractive appearance.
  • Polyester: Polyester bags are very easy to clean and maintain. Stains can usually be wiped off directly. They can also be machine-washed (gentle cycle recommended). They dry quickly, resist wrinkling, deformation, and fading, requiring virtually no special maintenance. However, avoid prolonged high-temperature ironing or contact with hot objects to prevent fiber damage.

5. How to Choose: Match the Material to Your Needs

After all this, how do you choose?

5.1. When to Choose Cotton Bags?

  • If you highly value eco-friendliness and natural materials.
  • If you need the bag to be breathable (e.g., grocery shopping bags, storage bags for items).
  • If you want to promote your brand and desire printed patterns that look natural and textured.

5.2. When to Choose Polyester Bags?

  • If the bag needs to be very durable and not easily torn (e.g., travel bags, sports backpacks).
  • If you have a limited budget and want something cost-effective.
  • If you need a lightweight, easy-to-care-for bag that doesn’t wrinkle easily (e.g., foldable shopping bags, drawstring bags).
Front view of a black drawstring polyester sports bag featured in “How to Clean Polyester Bags? A Complete Guide”, customizable in size, material, style, and printing.
Polyester Bag - Front View
Flat lay of a black polyester sports drawstring bag used in “How to Clean Polyester Bags? A Complete Guide”, customizable in size, material, style, and printing.
Polyester Bag - Flat View

6. Conclusion

Cotton and polyester each have their advantages; neither is absolutely “better,” only “more suitable” for you.

Simply put, cotton is natural, breathable, and good for printing, but it wrinkles easily, gets dirty easily, and isn’t as durable. Polyester is durable, waterproof, and inexpensive, but it’s not breathable1 and less eco-friendly (virgin polyester). The key is to consider what you value most: eco-friendliness, durability, price, appearance, or other specific functions. Think it through before making a decision.

Yanxin Bag is a professional custom bag factory with 13 years of export experience, serving global brands and distributors long-term. We offer various types of cotton bags, polyester bags, RPET eco-friendly bags, and more. We support custom sizes, colors, printing, and packaging methods to help you create unique branded bag solutions.

Contact us now to get free design advice and sampling services, and start your exclusive customization journey! Let us help you create custom cotton bags or custom polyester bags that truly align with your brand philosophy. Looking for a trustworthy bag manufacturer or bag factory? Yanxin Bag is your ideal partner.

Pros and Cons of Canvas Bags – Multiple tote bags representing the theme of canvas bags.

Pros and Cons of Canvas Bags

Samples of polyester bags representing the pros and cons of polyester bags, including durability and environmental concerns

What’s the Pros of Polyester Bags?

Blue polyester fabric representing the topic of Everything You Need to Know about Polyester Bags, focusing on material texture and color.

Everything You Need to Know about Polyester Bags

Cotton Bag VS Canvas Bag article feature image with fabric samples and title.

Cotton Bag VS Canvas Bag: What's the Difference?

Additional Resources

1 Exploring the importance of breathability can enhance your comfort and performance in various activities, making it a key factor in your clothing choices.

Learn about the history, manufacturing, and uses of canvas material on the Wikipedia Canvas page.
Learn about the environmental impact of canvas bags and their eco-friendly alternatives on the Ethically Engineered website.
Explore sustainable canvas fabric options and their life cycle analysis on the Knowing Fabric website.

FAQs

Q1: What are the main differences between cotton and polyester bags?
Answer: Cotton bags are made from natural plant fibers and are eco-friendly, breathable, and easy to print on, while polyester bags are made from synthetic fibers, offering superior durability, water resistance, and cost-efficiency.

Q2: Are cotton bags biodegradable and environmentally friendly?
Answer: Yes, cotton bags—especially those made from organic cotton—are naturally biodegradable and a great choice for eco-conscious businesses looking for sustainable custom tote bags.

Q3: Which material is more suitable for foldable shopping bags, cotton or polyester?
Answer: Polyester is more suitable for foldable shopping bags due to its wrinkle resistance, lightweight nature, and better foldability compared to cotton, which wrinkles easily after folding.

Q4: Are polyester bags waterproof?
Answer: Polyester bags are inherently water-resistant and can be coated with materials like PU or PVC to enhance waterproof performance, making them ideal for outdoor or travel use.

Q5: Can I print my logo on both cotton and polyester bags?
Answer: Yes, both materials are printable. Cotton bags are ideal for screen printing and DTG with a rustic finish, while polyester bags work well with sublimation and heat transfer printing for vibrant, detailed logos.

Q6: Which type of bag is better for promotional giveaways—cotton or polyester?
Answer: Polyester bags are generally better for promotional giveaways due to their lower cost, lightweight design, and high durability, especially when large volumes are needed for events or campaigns.

Q7: Do polyester tote bags feel comfortable to carry?
Answer: While polyester bags are lightweight and practical, they tend to feel less soft and breathable than cotton bags. Cotton is preferred when comfort and a natural feel are priorities.

Q8: What is RPET, and is it a good alternative to virgin polyester bags?
Answer: RPET (Recycled Polyester) is made from recycled plastic bottles and is a more sustainable alternative to virgin polyester. It combines durability with eco-conscious benefits, making it ideal for environmentally friendly promotional bags.

Q9: How long do cotton and polyester bags typically last?
Answer: Polyester bags usually last longer due to their high tear and abrasion resistance. Cotton bags are less durable but can last a long time if used for light loads and handled with care.

Q10: Where can I find a reliable custom cotton bag manufacturer or polyester bag factory?
Answer: Yanxin Bag is a trusted bag manufacturer offering custom cotton bags, polyester tote bags, and RPET eco bags. With 13 years of experience, we help global clients design and source high-quality, sustainable, and affordable bags tailored to their brand needs.

Picture of Jacky Zhou

Jacky Zhou

Hello, I'm Jacky Zhou, the founder of yanxinbag.com. With 14 years of experience running a shopping bag factory, I'm excited to share my insights and expertise on shopping bags from a unique perspective as a Chinese supplier. The goal of this article is to provide valuable knowledge to readers seeking to learn more about shopping bags and the industry.

Recent Posts

Table of Contents

Yanxinbag Company Logo with Shopping Bag Sketch

Your Shopping Bag Expert

Company

  • Home
  • About
  • Product
  • Blog
  • Contact

Email

sales@yanxinbag.com

Service

0086-18958840630

Connect

Facebook-f Linkedin

Custom Bags With Easy

Order or no-order we are Always here to help you!

We will contact you within 1 working day, please pay attention to the email with the suffix “@yanxinbag.com”.

Custom Bags With Easy

Order or no-order we are Always here to help you!

We will contact you within 1 working day, please pay attention to the email with the suffix “@yanxinbag.com”.