Our Fabric Range
At Tactical Fabrics we stock a carefully curated range of six custom-printable fabrics — from lightweight breathable cottons to rugged weatherproof canvases. Each fabric is printed using eco-friendly water-based pigment or dye sublimation inks, and representative samples have been independently tested against commercial standards by UKAS accredited laboratories. Below you’ll find a comprehensive guide to every fabric we offer, with specs, certifications, and recommended uses to help you pick the right material for your project.
Plain Cotton 156gsm
A versatile, great-value plain weave 100% cotton. Lightweight and breathable with a natural white base and a soft hand, Plain Cotton is a popular choice for craft makers, dressmaking, bunting, tablecloths, and beeswax wraps. Colour prints with a slightly muted, natural tone thanks to the eco-friendly water-based pigment inks.
Specification
- Type: Woven, plain weave
- Weight: 156gsm
- Width: 145cm
- Composition: 100% Cotton
- Ink: Pigment (water-based)
- Properties: Breathable
- Origin: Woven in Uzbekistan, finished and printed in the United Kingdom
Certifications & Standards
- OEKO-TEX Eco Passport Certified Ink (NEP 1612)
- ECOCERT Certified Ink
- Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) member cotton
- Martindale Abrasion: 25,000 rubs (EN 14465:2003)
- EN 71-3:2019 Toy Safety — Pass (migration of certain elements)
Care
Wash on a delicate machine cycle at 30°C. Delicate tumble cycle on low heat. Iron on a medium heat.
Great for
Blouses, shirts, dresses, quilting, lampshades, curtains, soft furnishings, bunting, tablecloths, handkerchiefs, beeswax wraps, face masks.
Half Panama Cotton 220gsm
A medium-weight 100% cotton half Panama weave in optic white. A great all-rounder for soft furnishings, kitchenware and craft — pre-treated for excellent print quality, wash fastness, and long-term durability.
Specification
- Type: Woven, half Panama
- Weight: 220gsm
- Width: 145cm
- Composition: 100% Cotton
- Ink: Pigment (water-based)
- Origin: Woven and finished in Pakistan. Printed in the United Kingdom
Certifications & Standards
- OEKO-TEX Eco Passport Certified Ink (NEP 1612)
- ECOCERT Certified Ink
- ASTM F1821:2022 — Pass
- Martindale Abrasion: 25,000 rubs (EN 14465:2003)
Care
Wash on a regular machine cycle at 30°C. Delicate tumble cycle on low heat. Iron on a medium heat.
Great for
Aprons, bags, cushions, curtains, tea towels, tablecloths, lampshades, blinds, banners, art, and general craft.
Cotton Drill 255gsm
Sturdy and durable 100% cotton in a tight diagonal weave. Similar to twill but with a tighter, tougher feel, Cotton Drill is a strong choice for hard-wearing homeware, workwear, jackets, and accessories. The heavy weight and tight weave deliver especially rich, deep colour reproduction. Printed with inherently UV-resistant water-based pigment inks.
Specification
- Type: Woven, diagonal drill weave
- Weight: 255gsm
- Width: 145cm
- Composition: 100% Cotton
- Ink: Pigment (water-based, UV-resistant)
- Origin: Woven in Pakistan, finished and printed in the United Kingdom
Certifications & Standards
- OEKO-TEX Eco Passport Certified Ink (NEP 1612)
- ECOCERT Certified Ink
- Martindale Abrasion: 35,000 rubs (EN 14465:2003)
- EN 71-3:2019 Toy Safety — Pass
Care
Wash on a delicate machine cycle at 30°C. Delicate tumble cycle on low heat. Iron on a medium heat.
Great for
Aprons, bags, jackets, shirts, dresses, cushions, curtains, kitchenware, tea towels, tablecloths, banners, and durable homeware.
Poly Canvas 380gsm
Our heavyweight workhorse. Poly Canvas (a duck-canvas-style weave) is a great-value, tough, and easy-to-handle heavyweight polyester fabric for soft furnishings, upholstery, bags, and large-format accessories. Printed with dye sublimation for strong, long-lasting colour reproduction.
Specification
- Type: Woven, duck canvas
- Weight: 380gsm
- Width: 155cm
- Composition: 100% Polyester
- Ink: Dye Sublimation
- Origin: Woven and finished in Turkey. Printed in the United Kingdom
Certifications & Standards
- OEKO-TEX Eco Passport Certified Ink (NEP 1902)
- Martindale Abrasion: 45,000+ rubs (EN 14465:2003)
- EN 71-3:2019 Toy Safety — Pass
Care
Wash on a delicate machine cycle at 40°C. Do not tumble dry. Iron on a low heat without steam.
Great for
Bags, banners, upholstery, heavyweight cushions, art prints, and other projects where durability is paramount.
Waterproof Canvas FR 240gsm
Our go-to fabric for outdoor projects. A medium-weight PU-coated polyester canvas that is both waterproof and fire-retardant, with a textured print face and a smooth back for easy handling. Printed using dye sublimation for vivid, long-lasting colour.
Specification
- Type: Woven, PU-coated canvas
- Weight: 240gsm
- Width: 145cm
- Composition: 100% Polyester, PU Coated
- Ink: Dye Sublimation
- Properties: Waterproof, Fire Retardant
- Origin: Woven and finished in China. Printed in the United Kingdom
Certifications & Standards
- OEKO-TEX Eco Passport Certified Ink (NEP 1902)
- UK Upholstery Fire Safety BS 5852:2006 — Pass (Source 0 & Source 1)
- Martindale Abrasion: 45,000+ rubs (EN 14465:2003)
- EN 71-3:2019 Toy Safety — Pass
Care
Routine soap-and-warm-water sponging is effective for ordinary soiling. Treat both water- and oil-based stains as soon as possible while fresh.
Great for
Deckchairs, outdoor furniture, outdoor cushions, tents, bunting, inflatables, outdoor signage, and wall hangings.
Velveteen 260gsm
Our most sophisticated fabric — a 100% polyester short-pile velvet with a sumptuous hand and exceptional print quality via dye sublimation. Incredibly durable with a 45,000+ Martindale rating, making it suitable for heavy-use soft furnishings. For upholstery projects that require a CRIB5 FR rating, look out for our FR-backed velveteen variant.
Specification
- Type: Velvet, short pile
- Weight: 260gsm
- Width: 140cm
- Composition: 100% Polyester
- Ink: Dye Sublimation
- Origin: Manufactured and finished in China. Printed in the United Kingdom
Certifications & Standards
- OEKO-TEX Eco Passport Certified Ink (NEP 1902)
- Martindale Abrasion: 45,000+ rubs (EN 14465:2003)
- EN 71-3:2019 Toy Safety — Pass
Care
Vacuum or wipe clean with a microfibre cloth lightly dampened with cold water only. Remove spillages promptly.
Great for
Cushions, curtains, blankets, and luxe soft furnishings.
At a Glance — Fabric Comparison
| Fabric | Weight | Width | Composition | Ink | Martindale | Key Properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plain Cotton | 156gsm | 145cm | 100% Cotton | Pigment | 25,000 | Breathable, BCI |
| Half Panama Cotton | 220gsm | 145cm | 100% Cotton | Pigment | 25,000 | Versatile mid-weight |
| Cotton Drill | 255gsm | 145cm | 100% Cotton | Pigment | 35,000 | Sturdy, UV-resistant |
| Poly Canvas | 380gsm | 155cm | 100% Polyester | Dye Sublimation | 45,000+ | Heavyweight, durable |
| Waterproof Canvas FR | 240gsm | 145cm | 100% Polyester, PU coated | Dye Sublimation | 45,000+ | Waterproof, Fire Retardant (BS 5852) |
| Velveteen | 260gsm | 140cm | 100% Polyester | Dye Sublimation | 45,000+ | Short-pile velvet |
Representative samples have been independently tested against commercial standards by UKAS accredited laboratories. Specifications and test results are indicative and may be updated as fabrics are revised.