Webbing and tape can be used in a wide variety of products. Because of this, they come in many different forms: Polyester webbing. Vinyl facing. Furniture strapping. Heat bond tape. Double-sided seam tape.
Hook and loop fasteners.
Each type offers distinct functions and features. Depending on the purpose, you’ll find some of these products in our Webbing & Tape and some in our Adhesives.
Please note that these products are separate from those in our binding section.
To see how each type is broken down, read through the quick guide below.
Interested in becoming a Trican customer? Find out more about us to see if we’re right for you.
“Webbing” and “tape” are both industry terms that simply mean “a strip of fabric.” They're available in many types of fabric including flat nylon, cotton twill, polyester, and polypro fabrics. Durability varies from
heavy-duty, high-strength, and mil-spec products to light and breathable.
So what's the difference between webbing and tape? Webbing is typically stronger and thicker than tape while tape is often preferred for lightweight applications.
Many of the products we use every day have webbing straps. Webbing and tape are often used for decorative furniture trim, tie downs, sporting goods, shade edge reinforcement, belts, purses, backpack straps, bag
straps, seatbelts, dog collars, parachutes, lanyards, and more.
Webbing fabric is very strong, with breaking strengths of upwards to 10,000 pounds, which is why it has many load-bearing and safety applications.
How you will apply webbing and tape will depend on your project and the materials you choose. Webbing and tape are available by the yard or roll in different fabrics and sizes. Tape and webbing fabric can be
applied by sewing or using adhesive or heat. They're often used in conjunction with steel webbing hardware, like
dee rings and buckles. Hook and loop fastening tape, like VELCRO® Brand products, is also an option.
Types of Webbing
Webbing can be either tubular webbing or flat webbing. Flat webbing is a solid weave of the fabric. It's often used for straps on bags and backpacks. Tubular means that the webbing is woven in the shape of a
tube then flattened to offer double layers. Tubular webbing has many safety applications for kayaking, anchor climbing, and camping.
There are many types of fabrics used for webbing tape. These fabrics include canvas, acrylic, nylon, polypropylene, polyester, and cotton twill. The type you use will depend on your specific application. We have many tape
and webbing products
available for you in a variety of widths, colors, thicknesses, and materials.
To see how each product type is broken down, read through our quick guide below.
Fabric Webbing
Fabric webbing or strapping is typically made with a basket or tight weave construction. The webbing fabric
comes in materials like polypropylene, polyester, nylon, Dacron®, cotton, and acrylic.
Check out each type for specific features.
The breaking strength of heavy-duty webbing is anywhere from 130 to 6000 lbs., depending on the size and material. Cotton webbing normally has the lowest breaking strength while polyester webbing has the highest.
Applications include tie downs, shade sail edges, bundling, banding, apparel, upholstery, bag straps, furniture strapping, curtain reinforcement, outdoor gear, decorative trim, and marine canvas functions.
The main distinguisher between fabric webbing and fabric tape is that tape typically isn’t as strong.
Made from a twill weave structure, fabric tape is often made from cotton. The strap material offers a lightweight construction best used for fabric binding, tying, or finishing raw edges. Fabric tape is best if you’re looking for a
natural and inexpensive option.
Bonding tape is commonly referred to as heat tape, heat seal tape, thermos or thermal tape, or welding tape. By placing the
tape between two pieces of fabric and applying heat, the fabric will cleanly bind together. Bonding tape eliminates the need for sewing and creates a stitch-free, waterproof seam. It’s used in conjunction with an RF (Radio Frequency),
Hot Wedge, or Hot Air welder.
Note: Please ensure the fabric you use for this method is heat-compatible. Some common heat-capable fabrics are acrylic and vinyl.
Seam seal tape wears many names in the fabrication world: seam tape, double-faced or double-sided tape, transfer tape, basting tape, and Seamstick. All refer to a clear, double-sided adhesive tape with a paper transfer backing. While there are countless uses across industries, fabricators typically use the tape for tacking down fabric
prior to sewing seams. It’s great for upholstery fabric projects, custom awnings, boat sails and other marine applications, bonding and laminating,
and more.
A few distinctions to keep in mind when selecting the right seam tape:
Transfer tape = used on acrylic fabrics
Rubber tape = strong adhesion; used on acrylic and vinyl fabrics; known to turn slightly yellow over time
Acrylic tape = not quite as adhesive as rubber; used on all fabrics; will not turn yellow
Super Seamstick = very strong adhesion; used on acrylic and vinyl; holds up well in the sun
Most commonly associated with the VELCRO® brand namesake, hook and loop fastener tape is used for fastening and bundling. It consists of two mating strips (the male/hook side and the female/loop side) that adhere when
pressed together. This eliminates the need for snaps, buckles, or other fastening hardware. Some product types include an adhesive backing to mount objects to surfaces. Many are suitable for outdoor use. Applications include tying,
bundling, mounting and adhering, and many industrial uses.
Reinforcing tape is also called reinforced tape, fiber tape, or filament tape. Generally made from clear laminate and polyester scrim, the non-adhesive tape is strong, stable, and weather resistant. The fiber reinforced
tape is used to support pressure points on awnings, boat covers, enclosures, and more. Because it's waterproof, it' perfect for outdoor and boating applications.
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Interested in becoming a customer? Call customer service at 1-800-387-2851 Monday–Friday 8:00 am–5:00 pm ET for more information.
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