Mesh fabrics, also known as netting, can be designed and manufactured in an almost unlimited variety of shapes and sizes with uniform openings, allowing for lightweight breathability and enormous versatility. One key advantage is their strength-to-weight ratio, which enables them to be remarkably lightweight yet rugged, tear-resistant, and indispensable across many industries.
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Mesh fabric is not just a textile but a versatile solution to many practical needs. From personal insect protection that allows the skin to breathe to military tactical vests that reduce precious weight from a soldier’s load, mesh or netting fabric serves various end uses. Understanding the properties of different fabrics and their applications ensures you can choose the suitable textile for your needs.
Netting or mesh fabrics have an open knit pattern that creates a network of evenly spaced gaps or holes that can be fine or coarse, depending on the fabric’s design—a mesh construction results in a breathable, lightweight fabric for ventilation applications. The fabric can differ in weight, thickness, color, and finish.
Mesh can be rigid, stretchy, or something in between. Polyester or nylon is often used for rigid mesh properties. We offer a combination of stretch nylons and polyesters with a balance of properties. Fabric can also be made with polyester/spandex, nylon/spandex yarns, or elastomultiester yarns for even greater stretch and recovery properties.
Along with breathability, mesh fabric can be designed and manufactured with large hole sizes that offer high visibility, making it easy to see through. The increased transparency makes this material a preferred choice for applications that include:
Car seat pockets like the one above are made of mesh fabric.
Mesh fabric can contain different yarns with various tensile strengths to meet the application’s needs. These yarns include polyester and nylon. The chosen options will impact the fabric’s load-supporting ability, measured in pounds per square inch (PSI).
The flexible construction allows product engineers to adapt the mesh fabric to the strength required by the application. For example, some yarn offers high strength-to-weight ratios, making it ideal for manufacturing durable sporting goods and protective wear.
If you are purchasing high-quality mesh or netting fabric, look for these features:
Various types of mesh fabrics are available. For example, mainstream options include tulle and a heavy-weight mesh suitable for military MOLLE vests. Tulle is a soft, delicate, light netting fabric made from man-made fibers such as polyester and nylon and is often used in wedding veils and gowns.
More durable options include mosquito netting, medical mesh, support garments/braces and spacer mesh for contract furniture and consumer goods.
The most commonly available mesh fabrics are made of synthetic yarn knitted into a mesh pattern. Knitting involves interlocking the yarns together, which enhances the capabilities of the final fabric and allows it to meet stringent requirements for various industries.
Additional benefits of polyester mesh include:
Nylon is a synthetic polymer with high tensile strength, excellent resistance to wear and tear, and good elastic qualities. It is made from nylon fibers derived from petroleum products. Nylon mesh is known for its strength, resilience and elasticity.
There are various types of nylon depending on their chemical synthesis, and are classified according to the number of carbon atoms per molecule:
You may hear the term power mesh or power net in mesh fabrics. Power mesh is a specialized fabric with superior durability, support, and elasticity. It is soft, lightweight, and has four-way stretch. The open structure offers excellent comfort, making it a good choice for shapewear and compression garments.
Specific power mesh applications include:
Apex Mills offers lightweight, tear-resistant netting and mesh fabric favored by Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. Our selection includes flame-retardant nylon mesh, stretch nylon, and elastomeric fabrics. When you partner with Apex Mills, you can expect the following innovative approach:
Netting and mesh fabrics have multiple applications and benefits across diverse industries, including medical, military, apparel, contract furniture, and industrial sectors. Their versatility and customizable characteristics will continue to drive innovation, leading to new uses and advancements.
Mesh fabrics have steadily emerged as a staple in various industries, from high-fashion garments to cutting-edge medical textiles. Known for their versatility, breathability, and performance-enhancing qualities, they hold a prominent place in the textile and garment manufacturing industry.
This comprehensive guide covers everything about mesh fabrics—from their materials and construction techniques to their types, applications, and emerging trends. If you’re a garment manufacturer, textile trader, or wholesaler, this post will give you the insights you need to integrate mesh fabrics into your portfolio.
At its core, mesh fabric is a textile with an open-weave structure, creating a net-like appearance. This construction makes it distinctively lightweight, airy, and durable. Its design allows air to pass through the material, making it an ideal choice for applications that require breathability, flexibility, and comfort.
There are a few different types of mesh fabrics, each with unique characteristics and applications. These types include polyester mesh, known for its durability, and power mesh, which offers excellent stretch and support. Mesh fabrics stand out because of their practical benefits and aesthetic appeal, offering functionality and performance with modern design versatility.
Mesh fabric has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The concept of mesh fabric was first explored in the late 19th century by Lewis Haslam, a textile innovator who founded the textile company Aertex. Haslam was inspired by his aunt’s gloves with holes, which kept her hands warm, and he developed the first mesh fabric for use in clothing. Initially, mesh fabric was used by soldiers in the trenches, but it later became popular in athletic wear, particularly in the mid-s.
The production of mesh fabric involves refining petroleum oil to extract polyamide monomers, which are then reacted with acid to form polyamide or polyester. The resulting polymers are melted and forced through spinnerets to create polymer strands. These strands are then packed onto spools and shipped to textile manufacturing facilities to be woven into mesh fabric. The production process can vary depending on the type of fiber used, with polyester and nylon being the most common.
Mesh fabrics can be made using different types of fibers, each offering unique properties based on the material chosen.
Polyester
Polyester mesh fabric is widely used due to its durability, lightweight nature, and ability to resist wrinkles and stains. It offers excellent structural stability, making it perfect for applications like sportswear and industrial uses. Polyester or nylon fibers are commonly used in mesh fabric production.
Nylon
Known for its exceptional strength and elasticity, nylon mesh fabric is often chosen for performance clothing, bags, and netting due to its stretch and abrasion resistance. The production process of nylon fibers involves refining petroleum oil to extract polyamide monomers, which are then polymerized and spun into long strands before being woven into various mesh fabric styles.
Stretch Mesh Fabric
Fabrics that incorporate elastane or spandex give mesh fabrics stretch capabilities. These are ideal for creating snug-fitting garments like leggings, athletic apparel, and shapewear.
Recycled Polyester
Sustainable fashion brands increasingly turn to fabricated mesh material made from recycled plastics. Not only is recycled polyester environmentally friendly, but it also retains all the resilient properties of traditional polyester.
Other fibers, such as cotton and rayon blends, are sometimes used to create soft mesh fabric with enhanced comfort for certain applications like casual wear or medical textiles.
Mesh fabrics are primarily produced through knitting or weaving methods. Different mesh fabric variants, such as polyester, nylon, and power mesh, are produced using similar processes.
Knitted Mesh Fabric
Knitting creates a more elastic, flexible mesh fabric that can stretch. Lightweight garments and sportswear often rely on knitted mesh fabric for its comfort and adaptability.
Woven Mesh Fabric
Woven mesh fabrics are less stretchy but stronger and more structured. These fabrics are chosen for applications that require durability, like industrial textiles or heavy-duty bags.
The process involves adjusting yarn size, knit density, and thread tension to achieve the desired characteristics, such as breathability, stretch, and softness. Multiple terms can refer to the same mesh fabric variant, highlighting the complexity of mesh fabrics.
There are multiple types of mesh fabrics on the market, each suited to specific needs.
Breathable Mesh Fabric
As the name suggests, this fabric focuses on allowing airflow, making it essential for applications like sportswear and casual apparel.
Waterproof Mesh Fabric
These designs integrate a waterproof layer, ideal for outdoor gear, tents, and industrial uses.
Soft Mesh Fabric
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A delicate and lightweight variant often utilized in intimate apparel, medical garments, and stylish applications requiring comfort.
Stretch Mesh Fabric
Ideal for athletic wear and fitted garments. Its balanced elasticity provides unrestricted movement and form-fitting comfort. Stretch mesh fabric is also used in shaping apparel due to its elasticity.
Knitted Mesh Fabric
Known for its flexibility and stretch, common in activewear and other functional uses.
Power Mesh
Power mesh is recognized for its compression abilities and is frequently utilized in sportswear and shapewear garments. This type of mesh fabric is distinct from regular nylon or polyester mesh due to its increased elasticity and sheer appearance. Power mesh is also occasionally applied in home decor.
Understanding these types helps garment manufacturers and textile traders identify the mesh fabric material that matches their production requirements.
Mesh fabrics are revered for their distinctive combination of qualities, including:
Breathability
The porous construction ensures excellent airflow, preventing overheating. Additionally, polyester mesh fabrics can wick moisture away from the body, enhancing comfort during physical activities.
Lightweight
With its open-weave structure, mesh fabric is remarkably light, making it suitable for performance-focused applications.
Durability
Despite being lightweight, mesh fabrics demonstrate excellent tensile strength, especially polyester mesh fabric or nylon-based materials.
Flexibility
Stretch mesh fabrics add unmatched versatility for activewear and fitted applications.
Mesh fabrics are incredibly versatile, with applications spanning industries.
Breathable mesh fabrics are a go-to for athletic equipment and clothing. Highlights a high-end sportswear company integrating stretch mesh fabric in its apparel, increasing comfort and customer satisfaction while boosting sales.
Recycled polyester mesh fabrics offer an eco-friendly solution for brands like [Brand Name], which are eliminating traditional fabric footprints. How a sustainable fashion brand achieved high consumer engagement with eco-friendly mesh designs.
Soft mesh fabrics find extensive use in healthcare. Lightweight, antibacterial designs help improve patient comfort in surgical gowns and medical equipment.
Mesh clothing fabric has made its mark in fashion, seen in trendy dresses, tops, and even accessories.
Durable woven varieties are employed in heavy-duty applications like netting, seat covers, safety vests, and more. Nylon mesh is also commonly used in making tent screens, showcasing its versatility in outdoor equipment. Additionally, mesh fabric is practical for everyday items such as laundry bags, emphasizing its functional aspects in various applications.
The environmental impact of mesh fabric depends on the materials used in its production. Most mesh fabrics are made from synthetic materials such as polyester and nylon, which have a negative impact on the environment. The production of nylon requires adipic acid, which releases nitrous oxide into the atmosphere, while the production of polyester requires large volumes of water, which is then contaminated and reenters the hydrosphere. Additionally, neither polyester nor nylon biodegrade, which means that garments made from these fabrics can continue to harm the environment for thousands or millions of years.
However, there are efforts to make mesh fabric more sustainable. Some textile companies are using recycled materials to produce mesh fabric, which reduces the amount of waste generated during production. Additionally, some mesh fabrics are designed to be biodegradable, using natural fibers such as cotton or hemp. Consumers can also play a role in reducing the environmental impact of mesh fabric by choosing sustainable options, recycling old mesh garments, and properly disposing of mesh fabric waste.
Mesh fabrics require delicate care to maintain their quality and longevity. Follow these tips for upkeep:
Gentle Washing
Hand wash mesh clothing fabric or put it in a laundry net for machine washes to avoid damage.
Use Mild Detergent
Harsh chemicals can degrade the fibers over time, so use mild and non-bleach detergents.
Air Dry
Avoid tumble drying as the heat can weaken synthetic fibers like nylon or polyester. Hang the fabric to dry naturally.
Avoid Heavy Pressing
Mesh fabrics typically don’t require ironing. If necessary, use a low-heat setting.
There are several certifications and compliance standards that mesh fabric manufacturers can adhere to in order to ensure the quality and sustainability of their products. The Global Recycle Standard (GRS) is a certification offered for mesh fabric made from 100% recycled materials. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) provides a certification for mesh fabric that meets certain quality standards. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) provides certification that integrates ISO requirements and lays down additional standardization principles.
Mesh fabric manufacturers can also comply with regulations such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for workplace safety and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations for environmental sustainability. Additionally, some mesh fabric manufacturers may choose to comply with industry-specific standards, such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards for textile testing.
By adhering to these certifications and compliance standards, mesh fabric manufacturers can ensure that their products meet the highest standards of quality, sustainability, and safety.
The textile industry is seeing exciting innovations in mesh fabric usage.
Sustainable Options
Focus has shifted to recycled and biodegradable fabric mesh material, reflecting consumer demand for eco-conscious products. Historically, the textile company called Aertex pioneered mesh fabrics, being the world's first producer of mesh fabric and influencing the apparel industry, particularly in athletic wear through collaborations with brands like Adidas.
Hybrid Fabrics
Manufacturers are exploring combinations of mesh fabric and other materials for added versatility.
Functional Enhancements
Advances in knitting technology are enabling mesh fabrics to feature waterproof or antibacterial properties unobtainable in the past.
Mesh fabrics have cemented their place as a dynamic, multifaceted textile across industries. From enhancing athletic performance with stretch mesh fabric to providing comfort in medical textiles, their utility is virtually unparalleled. Following the trends and understanding fabric properties will give garment manufacturers and textile traders an edge in expanding their offerings.
By considering the material compositions, applications, and care recommendations outlined here, businesses can select the perfect mesh fabric to suit their production needs, whether it’s breathable sportswear, durable industrial materials, or delicate fashion-forward garments.
For expert advice on sourcing or using mesh fabrics, reach out to [Your Company Name], your trusted partner in textiles.
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