1What is the difference between woven and non woven bags?
The difference between woven and non woven bags is how the fabric is made. A non woven bag uses fabric that is bonded, not woven, so it feels soft and smooth, like the tote handed out at events or used for takeaway. A PP woven bag is made from woven polypropylene, so it is stiffer, slightly glossy and has a weave you can see, like the carriers from IKEA or 99 Speedmart. Both bags are reusable and both carry a printed logo. They are two different products at two different prices, which is why mixing up the names leads to quotations that cannot be compared.
| Non Woven Bag | PP Woven Bag | Canvas Bag | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel | Soft and smooth, fabric-like | Stiff, slightly glossy, visible weave | Natural cotton texture |
| Familiar example | Event and takeaway totes | IKEA and 99 Speedmart carriers | Premium gift and merchandise totes |
| Price | The lowest of the three | Costs more than non woven | The premium option |
| Minimum order at AALY | 100 pcs, ready stock | 100 pcs, ready stock | 100 pcs, ready stock |
| Often chosen by | F&B, events, retail | Supermarkets, groceries, heavy items | Brands giving the bag as a gift |
2Why do so many people ask for a woven bag when they mean non woven?
Many buyers ask for a woven bag when they mean non woven because the two names differ by one word and have drifted into each other. Most enquiries that reach AALY ask about a woven bag, and most of those describe a soft non woven tote. Searches such as "woven bag murah" or "beg woven" usually come from the same mix-up.
In Malaysia the same soft bag is also called a recycle bag or an eco bag. Those are everyday names, not materials, so a supplier still needs to know which fabric you mean before the price makes sense. Getting this right first saves a round of quotations.
3How can I tell which bag I am looking at?
You can tell the bags apart by look and feel. A bag with a criss-cross weave you can see, that holds its shape on its own, is PP woven. A bag whose fabric feels soft and smooth, with no visible weave, is non woven. A bag that feels like cotton cloth is canvas.
If you are still unsure, a photo settles it faster than any description. AALY gets photos like this several times a day on WhatsApp, and we reply with which bag it is and what it would take to make it with your logo.
4Which should my business choose, non woven or PP woven?
Most businesses should choose non woven, and the choice comes down to budget and quantity. A non woven bag suits most event, retail and F&B use, and it is the lowest-cost reusable bag of the three. A PP woven bag costs more, and it is worth it when the bag has to carry heavier items, hold its shape, or come back for repeat use, which is why supermarkets and grocery stores often pick it.
If the bag is meant to feel like part of a gift rather than the wrapping, canvas is the premium step up from both. All three start at 100 pieces from AALY, so the quantity you need rarely decides it on its own.
5Is a PP woven bag stronger than a non woven bag?
A PP woven bag is the heavier-duty bag of the two: it is stiffer, holds its shape and is made for repeat use with heavier items. A non woven bag is not weak, though, when it is made from new fabric at the right weight. Every bag AALY supplies, non woven included, carries 10kg.
When a non woven bag tears, the cause is usually the fabric, not the type of bag. A lot of non woven fabric in the market is lighter and old stock that has started to oxidise before it reaches the buyer. Our separate guide on fabric weight explains how to spot it.
6Does a woven bag cost more than a non woven bag?
Yes, a PP woven bag costs more than a non woven bag of a similar size. AALY's published starting prices, both at 1,000 pieces with a 1-colour print: from RM1.50 per piece for an A4 non woven bag (28 × 33 × 8 cm, 100gsm), and from RM3.30 per piece for a 50 × 39 × 16 cm PP woven bag.
Every other size, material and quantity is quoted, because price moves with size, artwork and quantity. Delivery within West Malaysia is free and built into the quoted price, so the number on your quotation is the number you pay.
7What do woven and non woven bags have in common?
Woven and non woven bags have more in common than the names suggest. At AALY both are reusable, both carry 10kg, and both are held in ready stock from 100 pieces. Both take a printed logo, with local printing done in 1 to 2 weeks, and both ship free within West Malaysia, with the delivery built into the price you are quoted.
That is why the choice rarely comes down to whether a bag will do the job. It comes down to the feel you want in your customer's hand, how heavy the contents are, and the budget per piece.
8Can both bags be printed with my logo?
Yes, both non woven and PP woven bags can carry your logo. The printing method depends on your artwork, the number of colours and your quantity. Silkscreen is the lowest-cost method for spot colours, while full-colour and gradient artwork uses DTF heat transfer or sublimation. Gradients can be printed, which surprises many buyers.
Deciding the printing method before you finalise the artwork saves a redraw later. Our printing guide compares the four methods side by side.
9Is a laminated non woven bag a woven bag?
No, a laminated non woven bag is still a non woven bag. The laminated version adds a full-colour laminated print to the non woven fabric, the highest-quality print AALY offers.
The laminated non woven bag is always custom made, starts at 5,000 pieces and is produced in China in 45 to 60 days. It suits large orders with detailed, full-colour artwork. Below 5,000 pieces, a plain non woven bag printed locally is the faster route.
10Where do tote bags and canvas bags fit in?
A tote bag is a bag with handles, not a material, so non woven, PP woven and canvas bags can all be tote bags. Asking a supplier for "a tote bag" does not yet tell them what to quote.
A canvas bag is made from cotton canvas and is the premium option. Buyers choose canvas when the bag itself should feel like part of the gift. If your search started with "tote bag", name the material as well and the quotation will match what you picture.
11Which bag suits F&B takeaway and food delivery?
For F&B takeaway and food delivery, AALY usually suggests a non woven bag or a cooler bag. A non woven bag suits dry takeaway and dine-in packaging. A cooler bag is insulated and non woven based, made for food delivery and frozen goods, and comes laminated or unlaminated.
Cooler bags start at 200 or 5,000 pieces depending on the style. AALY suggests PP woven bags to supermarkets and grocery stores instead, where heavy items and repeat use matter more.
12What should I send AALY to get the right bag quoted?
To get the right bag quoted, send AALY four things: your logo, the quantity, the size and the date you need the bags. Add a photo of the bag you have in mind if you have one, and we will confirm whether it is non woven, PP woven or canvas.
Ready-stock orders ship 5 working days after you confirm, with courier delivery usually the next day. The fastest turnaround is 3 days, with no rush fee. AALY is based in Melaka and delivers across Malaysia and to Singapore.