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FABRICS

Custom linen fabric

Linen fabric is one of the oldest materials known to man. Our printed linen fabric is smooth and durable and derives from natural fibres. Find out about this ancient textile and how it can work for you. Printed linen fabric is known for its durability and breathability, making it perfect for warmer weather with one of our unique designs, becoming a statement piece that is sure to turn heads.

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Rated ‘Excellent’

4.6/5 from 1600+ independent 3rd party reviews

1-2 Days Production

Cottons, Silks, Jerseys, Recycled Poly-fabrics & more

Exclusive Discounts

Quantity, Wholesalers and Students

Made in London, UK

Sustainably & ethically made in London, UK, since 2002

We offer discounts

You can take advantage of our wholesale prices or use our dropshipping service to sell without ever holding inventory. Plus, we offer discounts on all products which you can pass on to your customers.

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Wholesale

Order unique products in bulk for your brand, and we'll offer an exclusive up to 40% discount.

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Students

We offer a 40% discount for UK students on custom fabric printing and more..

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Custom Linen Fabric Printing

What is linen fabric?

Linen is a general term for any material that has been made using fibres flax plant or Linum ustiatissimum. It is a natural plant fibre, known as cellulose, which is renowned to be one of the strongest and most durable available. Thanks to its long strands it has brilliant longevity.

The flax strands are spun into yarns and can be blended with other fibres including cotton to make cotton linen fabric. Linen textiles come in all different weights and most are woven in closely sett plain weave constructions.

Some popular linen textiles include:

Cotton linen fabric – cotton linen fabric, cool and smooth made with slub yarns
Linen blend – poly linen blend with a textured surface and natural ochre colour
Linen look – plain, open weave construct made from textured yarns with a matt finish

How is it manufactured?

Linen is one of the oldest fabrics in the world dating back thousands of years.

It is laborious to manufacture. Flax is ready to be harvested for its fibres when the stem turns yellow and the seeds turn brown. The highest quality linens are made from flax plants that are hand harvested, thanks to the quality of the root when pulled up by hand. It is finer and suppler than machine harvested flax.

Flax stalks dry in the open air for several weeks before the seeds are removed. Then, flax is exposed to moisture to break down the pectin’s that bind the fibres together. Fibres are then separated from the straw and graded into short fibres to make coarser yarns or long fibres to make fine linen yarns.

Carding draws out the long and short fibres into ribbons which are plied together on spinning looms. Fine yarn is wet spun to get it a shiny and smooth appearance, whereas the tow are normally dry spun giving a more rustic, napped yarn.

These are then woven into linen fabric and treated so that we can custom print on linen fabric.

Properties

Linen fabric is made from flax; a bast fibre that becomes softer through handling and washing. It is very comfortable and breathable, does not pill or stretch and resists wear from abrasion as well as dirt. This is true even once we print on linen fabric.

A lot of linen fabric is UK made and dyed and you can purchase a wide range of linen fabric online. A lot of clothing, particularly summer clothing, is made from linen. This is mainly due to its natural wicking properties. It can gain up to 20% moisture before it starts to feel damp and has an innate ability to prevent bacterial growth.

Characteristically, linen yarns are quite uneven and slubby which adds to its rustic look. Woven linen fabrics are strong as well as hard-wearing and have excellent washability; they can be boiled and starched and take dye very well.

Purposes of linen fabric

Many products are made with printed linen fabric, thanks to its attributes and ability to hold dye; grey linen fabric is extremely popular in the fashion and interior world. Popular end uses include:

Upholstery
Drapes and curtains
Clothing; suits, jackets, dresses, blouses, trousers, and more
Tablecloths
Bedding and bed linen
Towels
Tea towels
Wallpaper
Napkins
Placemats
Furnishing fabrics
Luggage
Sewing thread

Advantages of printed linen fabric

The plethora of qualities of linen makes it the perfect fabric to wear in the warmer months, as it keeps the wearer feeling cool and comfortable. The weave of the fibres allows for excellent airflow, and the fabric billows away from the body drying out excess moisture and allowing it to become cool again.

Linen has a natural sheen and lustre with an earthy base tone which varies from beige to grey linen fabric.

Linen also has medical advantages and can be used for internal sutures and bandages. It stimulates blood flow and is anti-bacterial as well as resistant to mildew. It is also eco-friendly, as flax plants don’t require irrigation. They need little or no pest control and require very little energy in processing.

Design Your Own

Lino 100% Linen Cotton Linen Dorchester Linen Look