Laminated usually means a woven fabric base with PE film on one side or both sides. Unlaminated (uncoated) is the woven fabric as it comes off the loom, without that waterproof skin.
Buyers mix these up when comparing GSM and price. A 100 GSM laminated woven fabric roll is not the same product as a 100 GSM unlaminated roll.
Side-by-side
| Point | Unlaminated woven fabric | Laminated woven fabric |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Woven texture; air and water can pass more easily | Film skin; much lower water pass-through |
| Typical discussion | Bags, liners, some ground cover, wrapping | Covering, moisture-sensitive packaging, tarp conversion |
| Water | Not a rain sheet by itself | Selected when the buyer needs a lower-porosity face |
| Price driver | Yarn, weave, GSM | Base GSM plus film, adhesion and color |
| What to confirm | Weave density, tensile, permeability, width | Coating side, adhesion, UV, converting method |
Choose unlaminated when
- The roll will be sewn into bags, liners or wrapping, not used as a rain sheet.
- Ground cover or geotextile language calls for water permeability rather than a film face.
- You need a fabric face, not a wipeable film face.
Black ground-cover enquiries often stay unlaminated. Confirm that on black woven fabric roll rather than assuming from the color.
Choose laminated when
- Packaging or covering needs a moisture-related face.
- A converter will cut covers from roll fabric.
- The RFQ already says “PE coated” or “laminated woven fabric.”
Then confirm one side or both sides, adhesion, color and UV. For polymer choice, use PP vs PE woven fabric.
GSM trap
Ask whether GSM is:
- base woven fabric only;
- finished laminated weight.
Price per ton or per roll is not comparable until that is stated. Read GSM for woven PP fabric with this page, not instead of it.