Bag Knowledge Center

Bag 101

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Cotton

Cotton fabric is one of the most commonly used types of fabrics in the world. Cotton is chemically organic, which means that it does not contain any synthetic compounds. Cotton fabric is derived from the fibers surrounding the seeds of cotton plants.

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Organic Cotton

Organic cotton refers to naturally cultivated cotton without the use of any synthetic agricultirall chemicals such as fertilizers or pesticides or transgenic technology.

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Recycled Cotton

Recycled cotton is generally defined as converting cotton fabric into cotton fiber that can be reused in textile products. Recycled cotton is also commonly referred to as regenerated cotton or reclaimed cotton.

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rPET Polyester

Recycled polyester (RPET) comes from PET (the chemical name for polyester) plastic bottles & waste that are melted down and re-spun into new, recycled plastic products such as polyester fibers, yarns and fabrics.

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Polyester/Polycanvas

A synthetic fabric made from polyester fibers. This fabric is one of the world's most popular textiles, and it is used in thousands of different consumer and industrial applications.

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Non-woven

Non-woven fabrics are textiles that have been created through a process of bonding fibers together, either by some kind of chemical adhesion, mechanical or heat treatment, or a combination of those. There is no weaving or manual construction involved. Non-woven fabrics are often more cost-effective and can be manufactured quickly.

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Nylon

A tough, lightweight, elastic synthetic polymer used to make fabrics used in a variety of consumer goods including apparel and bags.

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Vinyl/ PVC/PU

Vinyl fabric is a synthetic material made from PU or PVC and is has an extensive range of uses including bags particularly since it can be manufactured look like leather. It is sometime referred to as Pleather for this reason.

Terms for Materials

BCI Cotton

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is a non-profit, multistakeholder governance group that promotes better standards in cotton farming and practices across 21 countries.

Bluesign

Every item carrying a bluesign PRODUCT or APPROVED label has been manufactured to strict safety and environmental requirements. Known as the bluesign CRITERIA, these are the highest standards in the industry.
The term “bluesign” comes from the name of a Swiss group called bluesign® technologies. This group monitors the complex journey of materials from factory to final product. The bluesign team includes experts in chemistry and textile production, as well as specialists who oversee a robust system of factory auditing and certification.

Denier

Denier is a unit of measurement used to determine the fiber thickness of individual threads or filaments used in the creation of textiles and fabrics. So when you see materials listed as 600d or 300d – the d refers to the thickness of the threads or filaments used to weave that material. The larger the number the larger the threads or filaments used.

Full grain

is the highest quality of leather you can find. It is the outer layer of the hide that has not been sanded or buffed to remove imperfections. Full grain leather is prized for its natural grain and texture, which gives it a distinctive appearance and a patina that develops over time.

GRS or Global Recycled Standard (GRS)

The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) tracks recycled materials through the supply chain. The standard applies to the full supply chain and addresses traceability, environmental principles, social requirements, chemical restrictions, and labeling. Developed with the textile industry in mind, the GRS may also be applied to products from any industry. See also Recycled Content Standard (RCS).

Organic Fair Trade Cotton (GOTS)

(Global Organic Textile Standard) organic certification means that textile and fabric products are grown according to strict ecological and toxicological guidelines - without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticide.

Split Leather

Split leather is crafted from the fibrous part of the hide once the top grain has been separated from the raw hide and combined with an artificial layer with an embossed leather grain.

Top Grain

Top grain has been sanded or buffed to remove imperfections, making it smother and more uniform in texture. This process removes the natural grain and patina.