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Blank cushion covers
What are the best cushion covers to print on?
Feb
The best cushion covers to print on are those made from plain, tightly woven cotton. Types of cotton such as “duck” canvas cotton and plain weave cotton give best results for screen printing and embroidery finishes. This is because these types of cotton give a soft and smooth surface for excellent adhesion and application.
Duck cotton also is also strong and sturdy which is able to handle a large range for printing techniques including heat transfer vinyl, DTG, DTF and traditional screen printing inks (both water based and PVC).
When looking for a blank cushion cover to decorate there are certain specifications and features you want to look for. The first and most obvious one is the type of material the cushion cover is made from. Most cushion covers sold in your popular large retailers will have either 100% cotton or polyester blend options. However, we recommend to look for a material that is sturdy and can take everyday use.
Such fabrics that offer a sturdy feel include duck canvas cotton (a plain, tightly woven cotton). Duck cotton is similar to canvas but has the added advantage of giving excellent screen printing / embroidery results. An additional bonus of duck cotton is that it can also handle DTG prints – making it a versatile all-rounder for decorators. Duck cotton has a good mid weight (9 ounces) for embroidery compared to the more available cotton / polyester blends and can be used for both indoors and outdoors.
Brief history of duck canvas cotton
While the name may imply, cotton duck canvas has nothing to do with ducks, rather it originates from the Dutch word “doek” which was a type of canvas the Dutch were known to use. The Dutch found that duck cotton is ideal for use in the navy for a sailor’s uniform as it is strong, wind proof and can be sewn into a range of shapes and sizes.
Today you can find cotton duck canvas used for apparel pieces such as jackets and industrial work wear and homewares such as cushion covers.
But what exactly is duck cotton and how it is different to regular cotton?
What makes duck canvas cushions covers durable?
Cotton duck canvas is a plain weave that has 2 been modified features to give it strength and a smooth texture. These features are:
- Tighter weave
- Stronger threads
Tighter weave
A plain weave is made be repeatedly weaving cotton threads in an over and under pattern. While normal plain weave follows the same weaving pattern it will have gaps between the threads where are can escape through the gaps. In comparison a duck weave is a much tighter to eliminate gaps between the threads.
Stronger threads
Duck fabric gets it strength from the up and down threads in the loom which are called “the warp” and using that as a single thread. Additionally, duck canvas cotton uses 2 threads which have been twisted together to give it extra strength. This results in a fabric that is tough, wind proof and water resistant. The stronger, tight weaves prevents and gaps and beads up and runs off water.
What is the best type of duck cotton for blank cushion covers?
We recommend Army Duck fabric, also known as “shelter duck” when it comes to cushion covers. This is because Army Duck is a medium weight cotton canvas that is also multi-purpose for durability and printing. We believe army duck with a weight of 9 oz / 280 GSM (16 x 8 construction) is ideal for a smooth cushion cover. Other duck types such as “number duck” have a tight, plied yarn weave making it very strong and resistant to tearing however the surface is not smooth which gives average printing and embroidery results.
Army Duck has the added advantage of being smooth and soft and gives excellent ink coverage.
What is the advantage of duck cotton blank cushion covers?
Prints well
Duck cotton cushion covers, especially army duck (as mentioned) are strong and resistant to tearing. Their smoother and denser surface holds shape very well which is great for achieving fine details in screen printing and embroidery. Due to the unique look of duck cotton cushion covers it gives a modern look that complements a range of designs and patterns.
Duck cushion covers also take well to DTG prints, Cricut printing and can be used for HTV sublimation.
Soft and smooth
Duck cotton blank cushion covers hem very well with quality stitching. This results in keeping a symmetrical square shape and for cushion inserts to fit and fill the whole cushion cover. Unlike linen cotton, which has a tendency to crush and form annoying creases, duck cotton cushion covers will give a machine, neat and tidy look. The tighter weave will also give a smooth and soft surface for a range of customisation techniques including screen printing and embroidery.
Durability
Cushion covers take a beating from heavy use and handling. Whether it is being used as a body support, head rest or hugged a cushion has regular contact. Given this it is best to select a material that won’t easily tear or stretch. This is again why we like duck cotton with it tight durable weave that won’t tear or become misshaped easily.
Duck cotton can also be manufacture using organic cotton without harsh chemicals in the manufacturing process. This results in a cushion cover that is gentle on the skin and environmentally friendly. Being a durable weave duck cushions covers can also be used indoors and outdoors and pairs well with an invisible zipper.
Washable
Lastly, duck cotton is easily washable. Since it is a cotton fabric washing is not an issue. The beauty of duck cotton is its durability and ability to handle machine washing. It is more stain resistant than your flat weave cushion cover, due to its tight weave that is water resistant and will out last your polyester or cotton blended cushion covers.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some common questions on duck cotton cushion covers.
Duck cotton is the best type of cover as it is durable, can be used indoors and outdoors and has a smooth surface for decoration.
Yes. Duck cotton has a smooth and strong surface area that takes well to screen printing and even ink design finishes.
No. Duck cotton has a tight weave with strong threads made from cotton. Linen is a natural fiber made from the the flax plant that gives a different texture and feel.
An invisible zipper is a zipper that is hidden within a fabric seam. The only part of the zipper that is visible is the zipper pull tab which should match the colour of the fabric it is stitched to.
