Our Academy
Jacky Zhou
Oct 29, 2024
Your cooler bag may keep the temperature, but does it keep attention? With the wrong outer material, your brand might stay cold even on the hottest days.
What are the top 6 outer materials for custom cooler bags? The top 6 outer materials for custom cooler bags are nonwoven fabric, Oxford/polyester, cotton, laminated materials, Tyvek, and washable kraft paper. Each offers a distinct look and feel to match your brand’s style and usage needs.
While we’ve outlined the top outer materials used for cooler bags, understanding how each material performs in real-life applications will help you make smarter sourcing decisions. Read on to explore the pros, textures, visual appeal, and best-fit scenarios for each material.
Superior Insulation: All cooler bags have quality insulation meant to maintain the interior temperature and keep the cold or heat to the contents inside, whether food or a beverage.
Portability: Cooler bags are lightweight and small enough to be carried around, making them perfect for picnicking and camping, among other activities.
Variety of Capacities: Different sizes and capacities can be customized, implying that cooler bags are suited for a given consumer and use.
Multi-Functionality: Cooler bags are for more than just keeping food and drinks cool. They can also keep items warm, adding significant value to daily life.
Eco-Friendly Materials: Most cooler bags are made from materials that are safe for human use and are environmentally friendly, making them a responsible choice for outdoor activities.
Durable and Waterproof: Cooler bags are usually made of waterproof material, which goes hand in hand with using quality material.
Easy to Clean: The inside of cooler bags is generally designed so that when one intends to use the cooler bag, one has only to wash it with water and remove any markings.
Diverse Styles: Therefore, cooler bags can respond to several aspects of consumer differentiation regarding the style and design of more fabulous bags that consumers utilize.
Such advantages have made cooler bags a necessary tool in people’s lives, mainly when they are required to maintain the appropriate temperature for meals and drinks.
Cooler bags come in a variety of outer materials, each with its own advantages. Here’s a quick look at six popular options before we go into details:
| Material | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Nonwoven fabric | Budget-friendly, low MOQ, easy to customize |
| Oxford / Polyester | Strong, wear-resistant, and premium look |
| Cotton | Breathable, biodegradable, eco-conscious feel |
| Laminated materials | Waterproof, glossy/matte finish, easy to wipe clean |
| Tyvek® | Lightweight, unique texture, stylish yet functional |
| Washable kraft paper | Paper-like texture, modern retro look |
Nonwoven fabric is a type of spunbond material2 that is not woven like traditional textiles, which makes it more affordable and widely available. Thanks to its cost-effectiveness, it’s an ideal choice for companies seeking low-cost solutions for promotional events or everyday packaging. Nonwoven cooler bags typically come with a low MOQ, allowing for greater flexibility in customization—including different styles, prints, and add-on accessories. Compared to other fabrics, nonwoven is easier to sew and suitable for small-scale production, making it perfect for brands that prioritize both affordability and fast turnaround.
Oxford fabric and polyester cooler bags are known for their strength, durability, and premium feel. Though slightly more expensive than nonwoven options, they offer a more refined appearance and are built to last. These bags can withstand repeated hand washing and carry heavier loads, making them ideal for large or frequently used cooler bags. The thicker fabric enhances the bag’s structure and visual appeal, making it a preferred choice for businesses seeking a high-end look with reliable performance. For customers who value durability and style, Oxford and polyester are well worth the investment.
Compared to non-woven and polyester options, cotton cooler bags stand out for their natural environmental advantages. Cotton is a biodegradable, non-polluting material that aligns with current sustainability trends. These bags also offer excellent breathability, helping prevent odor buildup and making them more user-friendly. Thanks to these features, cotton cooler bags are ideal for brands and consumers seeking natural, eco-friendly packaging solutions.
Superior Waterproofing: Laminated cooler bags come with a thin yet effective waterproof layer, preventing moisture from penetrating and protecting the contents.
High-Quality Printing: Their surface supports vivid, long-lasting printing, enhancing visual appeal for promotional use.
Easy to Clean: With low permeability and stain resistance, laminated bags can be cleaned effortlessly—just a quick wipe does the job.
Common Materials:
Non-woven laminated cooler bags
PP woven laminated cooler bags
RPET laminated cooler bags
Ultrasonic Sealing Option: For non-woven types, ultrasonic heat sealing creates a seamless finish. These bags are thinner, lighter, and suitable for bulk orders (MOQ: 5,000). Though their insulation level is slightly lower, they are ideal for short-distance delivery and takeout packaging due to reduced shipping volume and cost.
Tyvek® cooler bags are gaining popularity for their distinctive material advantages. With a unique look and practical functionality, they’ve become a top choice for brands seeking both style and performance.
Lightweight but Durable: Made from Tyvek®, these bags weigh half as much as paper while maintaining excellent strength and flexibility.
Paper-Like Look, Fabric-Like Benefits: Tyvek® mimics the appearance of paper but performs like fabric—it’s breathable, tough, and resistant to wear and tear.
Stylish Meets Functional: The unique texture and sleek appearance give Tyvek® bags a premium look while staying practical for everyday use.
Versatile Surface Options: Soft Tyvek® feels similar to leather, while hard Tyvek® offers a more structured, paper-like finish—perfect for different branding styles.
Water-Repellent: With its natural water resistance, Tyvek® helps keep contents protected from spills, moisture, or rain.
These qualities make Tyvek® cooler bags ideal for modern brands seeking lightweight, eco-conscious, and visually distinctive packaging solutions.
Reusable Kraft Paper Cooler Bags
Washable kraft paper thermal bags are favored for their unique tactile quality and eco-chic appeal. Here’s what sets these reusable cooler totes apart:
Distinctive Paper-Like Feel: These bags feature a matte, paper-like surface that feels raw and vintage—something most other insulated bag materials can’t replicate.
Natural Aesthetic: Resembling traditional kraft paper, each eco-friendly kraft lunch cooler carries a high-end, minimal look ideal for stylish branding and custom designs.
Vintage and Stylish: With a soft retro vibe blended into modern lines, these washable kraft thermal bags offer a unique design language that’s both eye-catching and refined.
One-of-a-Kind Texture: Each custom kraft cooler bag is crafted with a slightly different surface finish, giving every piece a handmade, artisanal feel that enhances perceived uniqueness and brand value.
EPE and PE are the most used materials when it comes to insulating cooler bags. It has diverse thickness to suit the needs of the customers due to the availability of many types.
EPE is usually joined with aluminum foil, which is the most cost-effective. PE can be combined with PEVA or other types of waterproof material, such as PVC, because it has enhanced waterproof features ideal for use in applications that demand higher levels of waterproofing. Diamond EPE is commonly known to have a better finish than EPE, which comes with a layer of aluminum foil.
Besides handles, the most typical closure systems for cooler bags are zippers and Velcro. Regarding the form of the bag, several styles can be developed with a certain freedom concerning the closing system—zip or Velcro, depending on requirements.
Cooler bags with large front pockets are perfect for storing napkins, utensils, or promotional leaflets. This added compartment increases the bag’s practicality, especially for food delivery and picnic use. Popular for insulated tote bags and thermal delivery bags.
Insulated bags with side mesh pockets provide quick-access storage for water bottles or snacks. The mesh material is breathable and stretchable, making it ideal for daily use cooler backpacks and lunch bags.
Cooler bags with reinforced handles are designed to carry heavier loads without breaking or tearing. Whether it’s a thermal grocery bag or a large insulated catering bag, strong handles ensure durability and comfort.
A reinforced zipper area helps maintain insulation and prevents damage from frequent use. Custom cooler bags with sturdy zippers are more reliable during transportation and repeated opening and closing.
By figuring out the different materials used in cooler bags and manufacturing procedures, we have realized what materials can be utilized in cooler bags and their benefits. Through appropriate selection of the materials and the processes of manufacturing and assembling cooler bags, it is possible to regulate the temperature of sensitive foods and drinks, meet the several needs of the users, and improve the overall experience.
Looking for a reliable custom cooler bag manufacturer to support your brand? Yanxin Bag offers a wide range of reusable insulated bags, from thermal totes and insulated lunch bags to stylish cooler totes—all customizable in material, size, and printing. Whether you need durable thermal bags for daily use or promotional insulated shopping bags, we’ve got you covered.
Contact Yanxin Bag today for a free quote and let’s create cooler bags that truly reflect your brand.
1 Find out about sustainable materials that not only reduce pollution but also appeal to eco-conscious consumers.
2 Learn about spunbond material and its various applications, enhancing your knowledge of fabric types.
Note: Tyvek® and DuPont™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of Dupont or affiliated companies of DuPont.
Q1: What are the best outer materials for custom cooler bags?
Answer: The best outer materials for custom cooler bags include nonwoven fabric, Oxford/polyester, cotton, laminated materials, Tyvek, and washable kraft paper—each offering different strengths like durability, waterproofing, and eco-friendly appeal.
Q2: Why choose nonwoven fabric for promotional cooler bags?
Answer: Nonwoven fabric is cost-effective, supports low MOQ, and is perfect for promotional cooler bags. It enables fast production, easy customization, and is widely used for everyday brand packaging.
Q3: Is Tyvek a good material for making insulated cooler bags?
Answer: Tyvek® is a lightweight, tear-resistant, and water-repellent nonwoven material that provides a paper-like appearance with high durability, making it a great choice for custom insulated cooler bags.
Q4: Are cotton cooler bags biodegradable and eco-friendly?
Answer: Cotton cooler bags are biodegradable, breathable, and eco-conscious. They are ideal for brands focused on sustainability and reducing environmental impact through natural packaging materials.
Q5: What are the advantages of laminated cooler bags with glossy or matte finishes?
Answer: Laminated cooler bags offer waterproof protection, an easy-to-clean surface, and excellent printing results. The glossy or matte lamination enhances the professional appearance of custom cooler bags.
Q6: How does Oxford fabric compare to polyester for custom cooler bag manufacturing?
Answer: Oxford fabric and polyester are both strong and wear-resistant, but Oxford typically has a thicker texture and more premium feel, making it better suited for long-lasting custom cooler bags.
Q7: Can washable kraft paper be used as an outer layer for insulated cooler bags?
Answer: Yes, washable kraft paper is durable and stylish, offering a raw, paper-like look for eco-conscious cooler bags. It’s a unique choice for brands seeking a modern-retro aesthetic.
Q8: What is the most durable outer material for long-lasting cooler bags?
Answer: Oxford/polyester is often considered the most durable outer fabric for cooler bags due to its strength, resistance to wear and tear, and premium image for frequent use.
Q9: Are custom cooler bags made from nonwoven laminated fabric waterproof?
Answer: Yes, nonwoven laminated fabric is waterproof and budget-friendly. It’s commonly used for cooler bags intended for takeout, food delivery, and promotional use.
Q10: Which cooler bag material is best for premium brand promotion?
Answer: Tyvek® and washable kraft paper are top choices for premium brand cooler bags thanks to their unique texture, lightweight build, and strong visual identity.
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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”.
