Ward & Kennedy supplies businesses nationwide with traditionally die-cut and high-precision digitally cut canvas. From tote bags to tents and everything in between, you can trust Ward & Kennedy’s nearly 100-year history for fast turnaround times and dedicated service and support.
Canvas is a heavy-duty woven fabric, typically made from cotton, linen, or synthetic fibers like polyester, known for its durability and tight weave. It's widely used across outdoor, marine, and industrial applications, along with bags, upholstery, and art supplies, wherever a rugged, long-lasting material is needed.
Common products made from canvas include:
Canvas's weight, weave, and fray resistance directly affect how it performs during cutting, from blade pressure to edge finishing.
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Weight | Heavier canvas requires more cutting force and sharper blades for clean edges |
| Weave density | Tightly woven canvas resists fraying better but can be harder to cut through cleanly |
| Fiber content | Cotton and cotton blends fray more than synthetic canvas, which affects edge finishing needs |
| Coatings & treatments | Waterproof or flame-retardant coatings can dull blades faster and affect cut consistency |
| Fray resistance | Cut edges often need sealing, especially on cotton canvas used for tents, tarps, or covers |
| Thickness | Affects how well canvas layers stack and cut evenly for multi-layer production |
slices completely through the material, and both digital cutters and traditional dies can perform it depending on thickness and volume.
Digital cutting works well for prototyping canvas products and producing large-format, custom items like tents, awnings, and boat covers, since patterns can be adjusted per project without any tooling cost. Laser or hot-knife digital cutting is especially useful for canvas, since it seals the edge as it cuts, reducing fraying on this heavily woven material.
For production runs involving smaller, repeated components, such as bag panels or patches, die cutting becomes more cost-effective. It requires an upfront tooling investment, but that cost is offset by faster cutting speeds and lower per-unit costs once the design is finalized and volume increases.
At our facility in Milwaukee, WI, our team of designers and fabricators can help bring your vision to life. Whether you have existing design files or assistance with their creation, we’re here every step of the way.
Along with fabrics, we die cut materials like:
Ward & Kennedy has been designing, fabricating, and supplying industries all over the world since we were founded in 1928. Whether you’re in our Wisconsin backyard or located across the world in Asia, we can supply your die cut materials.
Along with fabricating parts for businesses across America, we supply them with the necessary tools, supplies, and gear to keep them running at full capacity. We stock abrasives, adhesives, PPE, and more from major brands like 3M, Dynablade, Superior Glove, Wendt and Mirka.
