As experts in sustainability and as a business that is committed to delivering on its corporate social responsibility, we only use eco-friendly materials to create our bespoke products. One of these materials is jute.
This natural material is celebrated for its durability, versatility and many eco-credentials and these are just some of the reasons why it is one of the most commonly used fibers, and why we love it too.
Where does jute fabric come from?
Jute is a golden fiber that is extracted from the bark of the jute vegetable plant by hand from June to September which is the harvesting period. This rainy season crop takes around four to five months to mature which means that it is both fast-growing and rain-fed. Here you can already begin to see why jute fabric is such a beloved sustainable material.
The extraction process, known as retting, is fairly simple.
The jute stems are first bundled together and immersed in slow running water so that they can then be stripped to remove the non-fibrous matter. This leaves behind the long, soft and shiny fibers.
These fibers are then separated and combed into strings that can be spun into yarn at jute mills and, later, woven into jute fabric.
What makes jute a sustainable fabric?
Jute is sustainable for several reasons; as mentioned above, it is a natural material that derives from a fast-growing, rain-fed crop which means that is a renewable resource and it doesn’t put a strain on irrigation systems.
Jute crops also consume more carbon dioxide than the average tree, can be grown without the use of any harmful chemicals and they enhance the fertility of the soil it grows on.
It is clearly one of the most eco-friendly crops in the world.
Its eco-credentials don’t stop there as it continues right through to the end of life.
Jute fabric is recyclable and takes less than two years to biodegrade which means that not a trace is left behind once it reaches the end of its useful life.
The jute industry is socially sustainable too as it plays a vital role for the economy in Bangladesh because as the demand for jute increases, it creates more employment and development in the rural areas of the country. In fact, it supports roughly 5 million people in the poorest regions.
What are the different types of jute fabric?
Jute fabric can come in several forms with the one that we most commonly use being mesta jute. It is Oeko-Tex certified and has many desirable qualities such as strength, lustre and good microbial resistance.
However, the two most popular types of jute are white jute and tossa which are grown in India, Bangladesh, Thailand and China. They are the strongest, softest and silkiest jute fibers which means they create a high-quality and durable jute that is great for making all kinds of everyday products.
Juco is a cotton blend where jute and cotton fibers are mixed in definite proportion. This allows you to get the best of both fabrics, such as the premium feel of cotton and the durability of jute, in one new textile.
The same can also be done with rPET (recycled plastic bottles) to create a softer fabric than plain jute that is multifunctional and eco-friendly.
How we use jute fabric
We procure our jute from India, which is the world’s largest producer of jute, and use it to create many of our bespoke products for businesses.
We most commonly use it to make jute bags, sacks and pouches because of its strength and style. They are an excellent eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic bags which are extremely wasteful and harmful to the environment.
We can even create food-grade jute to make bags that are suitable for packing and storing foods for long periods of time.
Printing on jute fabric
We offer a very broad range of professional printing techniques that enable you to customize your jute product by adding your branding or bespoke artwork.
However, not every printing method is suitable for jute fabric so we always advise our clients on the best way to brand their jute products depending on their budget and desired finish.
Screen printing is the most popular technique for jute bags as it produces vibrant colours and clean-lined designs that will not crack or break over time. It is also considerably fast and economical which makes it ideal for larger orders with short timescales.
Heat transfer is another common printing method for jute bags but we would also recommend litho printing and rotary printing.
You can explore all of our branding techniques in more detail here.
If you are interested in creating bespoke, custom jute products for your business, whether for promotional, packaging or retail purposes, then contact us today to learn more.