Mesh fabric is a common material in backpacks. It’s used in backpacks like commuter backpacks, outdoor sports backpacks, gym backpacks, and yoga backpacks for side pockets, back panels, shoulder straps, and waist belts. Some backpacks even use mesh as the primary material, such as cosmetic backpacks, beach backpacks, shoe backpacks, and packing backpacks.Today, let’s explore the appeal of mesh fabric used in backpacks with Kewei.
What Is Mesh Fabric?
Mesh fabric is a fabric with a network of holes created through a specific weaving method (yarn interlacing or fiber braiding). It offers lightweight, breathable, and high visibility.
The History of Mesh Fabric
Research has revealed that people have been using mesh fabric for a long time, such as in fishing nets and industrial filters for oil filtration.
In the 1970s, some sportswear brands began using mesh fabric in sportswear because of its high breath ability, lightweight, and excellent perspiration-wicking properties. However, compared to the original mesh fabric, the production of mesh fabric at this time was more sophisticated.
As mesh fabrics became increasingly popular, some backpack manufacturers began using them in the 1990s to reduce weight, enhance breath ability, and enhance design.
What Are The Advantages of Mesh Fabric?
Mesh fabric is a popular choice for backpacks due to its many advantages. Kewei, drawing on his experience in the backpack manufacturing industry, summarizes the following:
- Good Breath Ability: Due to its openwork structure, mesh fabrics offer excellent breath ability, allowing sweat to evaporate quickly and preventing mold and odor.
- Lightweight: Some backpacks use mesh fabric for internal compartments, which can reduce weight compared to solid panels.
- High Visibility: For cosmetic backpacks and ID pockets, mesh fabrics allow for easy access to essential items.
- Various Colors: Through industrial production, mesh fabrics are available in a wide variety of colors, making them particularly useful for backpack customization and enhancing your brand’s visibility.
Benefits of Using Nylon and Polyester As Mesh Fabrics
Not all fabrics can be used as the raw materials for mesh fabrics. Kewei learned from communication with fabric suppliers that the main materials currently used for mesh fabrics on the market are nylon and polyester, sometimes blended with spandex to increase the fabric’s elasticity.This is primarily due to the following advantages of nylon and polyester:
Abrasion Resistance
Nylon and polyester both have excellent abrasion resistance and can withstand a certain amount of stretching and compression without deforming.
Lightweight
Lightness is crucial for mesh fabrics. The low density of nylon and polyester allows for strong yet delicate threads, resulting in lighter mesh fabrics.
High Water Absorption
Nylon has low water absorption, while polyester is extremely hydrophobic. Mesh fabrics made from these materials also absorb less water, effectively improving their quick-drying and perspiration-wicking properties.
High Mold Resistance
Backpacks made with mesh fabric often come into direct contact with the body, such as the back panel. These areas are prone to sweating during exercise, so the fabric used needs to be mold-resistant. Nylon and polyester are well-suited for weakly acidic and alkaline environments and are resistant to mildew, making them suitable as the primary materials for mesh fabrics.
Easy to Process
Nylon and polyester can be easily processed into yarns of varying thicknesses and cross-sectional shapes, resulting in mesh fabrics with varying breath ability. Backpack manufacturers can tailor the materials used for different backpack components based on these parameters.
Low Cost
Nylon and polyester production technology and scale are relatively mature, resulting in relatively low and stable costs.
In addition to nylon and polyester mesh, a number of decorative and functional mesh fabrics are used to make certain backpack components. For example, PU-coated mesh can be used for the interiors of cooler backpacks and lunch backpacks; metal foil mesh can be used for decorative panels; and fine mesh and tulle can be used for gift backpack decorations, such as the familiar bow.
What Are Some Common Mesh Fabric Structures?
Mesh fabrics have many different structures, primarily due to different weaving techniques. Let’s take a look:
3D Spacer Mesh
3D Spacer Mesh consists of two or more layers of mesh supported and connected by monofilament fibers. This creates a thick, three-dimensional air layer, commonly known as a “sandwich mesh.” It has good breathability, so it is very suitable as mesh fabrics of many backpack back panels.
Plain Weave Mesh
Plain weave mesh is a single-layer, flat-woven mesh fabric. It lacks noticeable thickness and three-dimensionality, yet is breathable and lightweight. However, it lacks the cushioning and support of three-dimensional spacer mesh. Therefore, it is generally used for side pockets, linings, and simple backing for casual backpacks.
Warp Knitted Mesh
Warp knitted mesh is woven using a warp knitting machine. Its structure is more stable and less prone to snagging, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing design. It is often used to create the skin-tight fabric of running and cycling backpacks, as well as the decorative mesh panels of some trendy backpacks.
Parameters That Determine Mesh Fabric Performance
The performance of mesh fabric can be primarily judged by three parameters: denier, pore size, and coating.
Denier
Denier, abbreviated as D, is a unit of measurement for yarn thickness and is typically found at the end of a number, such as 15D. Generally speaking, the higher the number before D, the thicker the yarn, resulting in a thicker, more durable mesh fabric. Conversely, a lower D number results in a lighter, more flexible one. High-D mesh fabrics are typically used for backpack side pockets, while low-D mesh fabrics are often used for linings.
Pore Size
Pore size refers to the size of the pores in the mesh fabric. Large, sparsely distributed pores reduce air flow resistance and improve breath ability. Conversely, small pores with high density reduce breath ability, but can protect small items from falling out.
Coating
Mesh fabrics can be enhanced by adding a coating, typically PVC or PU. PVC is cheaper but can break easily at low temperatures, while PU coating maintains the mesh fabric’s flexibility and breath ability.
Which Backpacks Use Mesh Fabric?
Different backpack types use different materials. Kewei has summarized some backpack styles that frequently use mesh fabric.
Gym Backpacks
Many gym goers stuff their clothes directly into their backpacks after exercise, so breath ability is crucial. Mesh fabric can effectively improve the breath ability of gym backpacks and prevent mold and sweat odor. Gym backpacks typically use 80-120g/m² of mesh fabric.
Beach Backpacks
Beach backpacks require excellent water filtration, so they use a higher proportion of mesh fabric than gym backpacks, typically 150-200g/m². The pore size is also larger for better drainage.
Laundry Backpacks
The entire laundry backpack is made of mesh fabric. The mesh fabric should be both water-draining and soft and durable, making it suitable for washing machines.
Tool Backpacks
Tool backpacks are typically made of 200 g/m² coated mesh. This makes it easier to see where tools are stored, saving time. The coating also helps remove stains during cleaning.
Grocery Mesh Bag
Many grocery bags use mesh fabric, and they are lightweight and easy to carry. The perforated design promotes air circulation, making it perfect to store fruits, vegetables, or other items. Furthermore, grocery mesh bags are reusable, environmentally friendly, and an ideal solution to replace plastic shopping bags.
Storage Mesh Bag
Many households keep storage mesh bags at home, and use it to store clothes, toys, socks, and other items. Storage mesh bags are transparent, so it is easy to find and see the contents. The perforated design also allows for air circulation, reducing odors. In addition, storage mesh bags are available in different sizes to suit individual needs.
Custom Mesh Bag
Some retailers and brands customize mesh bags as promotional gifts or giveaways. These custom mesh bags usually look high-quality, and their practicality helps businesses effectively attract customers. Kewei, as a professional bag manufacturer, can create high-quality custom mesh bags to meet your diverse customization needs.
How To Choose The Right Mesh When Customizing A Backpack?
The right mesh can significantly improve a backpack’s comfort, durability, and longevity. Therefore, when customizing a backpack, it’s best to consider the denier, pore size, and coating mentioned above. Then, you can choose the right mesh based on your needs.
The Function of the Backpack
If breath ability is important, choose a mesh with a larger pore size. If load-bearing capacity is important, choose a high-denier mesh. If waterproofing and stain-repellent properties are important, choose a coated mesh.
Cost
Mesh fabrics with different functions have different prices. In general, based on denier number and aperture size, the price from highest to lowest is: PU coated mesh > nylon mesh > nylon mesh.
Printing
Nylon mesh fabrics require heat transfer vinyl or embroidery to clearly display your brand logo or pattern; polyester mesh fabrics require dye sublimation to create vibrant patterns.
Delivery Time
Ordinary mesh fabrics are generally in stock and suitable for customers with urgent delivery needs. However, mesh fabrics with printed patterns and coatings require custom orders and require a lead time, making them more suitable for customers with ample delivery time.
How Can B2B Customers Choose the Right Custom Mesh Bag?
It is easy to choose the right custom mesh bags for B2B customers. Based on past project experience, Kewei summarizes the following key steps:
Determine the Use Case
Consider your target customer group and the types of mesh bags they typically purchase. It will allow you to determine the style of your custom mesh bags in advance. You can choose the beach mesh bags, laundry mesh bags, gym mesh bags, or storage mesh bags.
Target Price Range
Determine a suitable price range based on your target customer group. It relates not only to design and fabric selection but also to manufacturing processes.
Materials
To ensure flexibility and durability, most mesh bags choose using nylon, polyester, or cotton.
- Nylon mesh bags have excellent load-bearing capacity, so they are suitable for carrying heavy items such as sneakers and books.
- Compared with nylon mesh bags, polyester mesh bags have lower load-bearing capacity. But they are cheaper. They are suitable for carrying lighter items, such as swimwear, sunglasses, and food during beach trips.
- Cotton mesh bags’ strength are Medium, and they are soft, so are suitable as storage bags for clothing. They are perfect for fruits and vegetables as grocery bags.
Size
To meet the needs of different customers, B2B clients can customize mesh bags in various sizes, including small, medium, and large.
- Small Mesh Bag: Suitable for shopping or strolling, it can hold fruits, vegetables, or personal items.
- Medium Mesh Bag: It can be as a laundry bag or gym bag, convenient for holding clothes, shoes, etc.
- Large Mesh Bag: It can hold more items, including towels, swimwear, sunglasses, food, etc. So it is perfect as a beach bag or pool bag to use.
Structural Design
Pay attention to the handles, shoulder straps, closure methods, and the number of pockets and compartments of the mesh bag. These parts effectively improve the user experience.
- Handles and Shoulder Straps: Padded handles and shoulder straps make carrying more comfortable, especially for larger mesh bags or long journeys.
- Closure Method: Open mesh bags make it easy to access items. Mesh bags with drawstrings, zippers, or snaps can reduce the risk of lost or stolen items.
- Pockets and Compartments: In addition to the large main compartment, extra small pockets or compartments help organize small items such as keys, ID cards, and phones, reducing clutter and making them easier to find and retrieve.
The above is some basic information about mesh fabrics. If you require custom mesh backpacks or need more information about custom mesh backpacks, please contact Kewei today.
FAQ
F: What is a mesh bag?
A: The mesh bag fabric usually adopts nylon or polyester mesh, typically used for laundry, beach trips, and general storage.
F: What are the disadvantages of mesh fabric?
A: While mesh fabric has breathability, lightweight, durability, and environmental friendliness advantages, it also has some drawbacks. Understanding these disadvantages before purchasing a mesh bag is essential.
- Easily torn: Mesh fabric has many holes, it is easy prone to tearing and damage if it snags sharp objects.
- Limited protection: Mesh fabric is very thin and has a perforated design, offering limited protection. Fragile or delicate items should not use mesh bags to store.
- Insufficient support: Mesh fabric is relatively soft, resulting in bags that lack a good three-dimensional structure and cannot stand upright.
F: How to clean a mesh bag?
A: For mesh bags, you can choose to hand wash or machine wash. Use a mild detergent and gently rub with your hands; do not use a brush. If machine washing, select a gentle cycle. After washing, let them air dry in a well-ventilated area.
