Woven fabric

Canvas

A firm, typically heavy plain-woven fabric emphasizes sturdy yarns and close construction.

Also searched as: Cotton duck, Duck cloth

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Illustrative face of a repeating weave. Warp runs vertically; weft runs horizontally. Colors, yarn thickness and spacing are examples, not a production specification.

How it is made

The basic crossings follow plain weave. Substantial yarns and fabric density give canvas its characteristic body rather than a special diagonal or pile structure.

How to recognize it

Look for a coarse visible grid and a firm hand.

Common uses

  • Bags
  • Workwear
  • Upholstery

What to distinguish

Canvas and duck overlap in trade usage; the name does not specify a waterproof coating or one fiber composition.

Sources & further reading

Research checked 2026-09-27. Descriptions are original summaries; references support terminology and construction, not every product sold under a name.

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