Duck Fabric

Traditionally known as cotton duck, duck cloth or duck canvas this fabric is a heavy plain woven fabric. Duck fabric can range from 7oz to 18oz in weight which make the fabric suitable for a wide range of applications. The lighter duck fabric is used for light clothes, work clothes and cloth bags, whereas the heavier, thicker fabric is used for sandbags, hammocks and cots. Our duck fabric range can be seen below which includes painting canvas, cotton loomstate and flame-proofed natural duck canvas.

For more information on Canvas Fabric

Frequently Asked Questions About Duck Fabric

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions from our customers about Duck Fabric. If your question isn't covered here, please contact us.

  • Duck is a tightly woven plain-weave cotton fabric, similar to canvas but generally tighter and smoother. It’s hard-wearing and dense, with weights running from around 7oz (light) up to 12oz and above (heavy), used for tarpaulins, workwear, and outdoor cover.

  • The name comes from the Dutch word “doek”, meaning cloth or canvas. The Dutch were major producers and exporters of this type of cotton fabric, and the term carried into English-language textile use. It has nothing to do with the bird.

  • Untreated duck is water-resistant rather than fully waterproof. The tight weave slows water penetration and the fibres swell when wet. For full waterproofing, duck is usually treated with wax, oil, or a synthetic coating.

  • The terms overlap. Duck is generally a tighter weave with a finer, smoother surface, often using two warp yarns held as one. Canvas covers a broader range of weights and weaves. Duck tends to be denser and more wind-resistant.

    See our duck fabric product range