Canvas is a widely used heavy-duty plain woven fabric made primarily from cotton, but also uses jute, linen, hemp or polyester. Though canvas is very popular as a base for oil paintings, it has many other uses. It is available in two varieties – duck and plain, with duck being more tightly woven.

Types of canvas

The most common types of canvas available in the market are:

• Waterproof canvas is treated for water resistance.
• Needlework canvas is used for needlepoint work and is characterized by the mesh per inch. Examples are mono, interlock and Penelope.
• Fireproof canvas is treated with a fire retardant finish.
• Dyed canvas is colored fabric.
• Striped canvas is used as fabric for bags, draperies and other products.
• Canvas fabric comes in plain and printed form and is used in making tents, fishing nets, awnings, etc.
• Washed canvas is available in different colors and is used by footwear manufacturers.
• Artist's canvas is untreated canvas. Types of artists' canvas are:

          - Stapled canvas is stapled to the edges of the frame and are difficult to stretch again later.
          - Splined canvas is tied to a spline at the back of the frame allowing the painter to paint the whole expanse of the canvas by shifting the spline. The artwork can be displayed without a frame.
          - Canvas board consists of a canvas sheet stretched over a cardboard frame and sealed on the backside.

Applications of canvas

Canvas is used in many applications such as:

• Painting: The most traditional and widest use of canvas is by painters and artists for oil paintings. Canvas is coated with a primer to protect it from the oil paint that can cause it to decay. It is stretched on a wooden or cardboard frame for support.
• Strengthener: Canvas is applied over a wooden board to strengthen it and make it suitable for painting.
• Canoe making: Waterproof canvas is tied to the wooden hull of a canoe.
• Umbrella: Canvas can be made into umbrellas that can withstand water and wind.
• Sails: Canvas is sturdy and easy to clean and store when not in use. Canvas sails are used in small and large boats.
• Home furnishings: Canvas is used to make sheer curtains, table covers, wall hangings, floor rugs, and draperies. Floor coverings made of canvas are popular as they can be changed in appearance from time to time.
• Trampoline: Genuine and sturdy trampolines are made out of sheer cotton canvas. Linen canvas is also used as a cheaper option.
• Apparel: Canvas is used in the manufacture of lightweight, crisp, and airy clothes such as casual shirts, pants, and shorts.
• Shoes: Canvas is a popular material in making light and inexpensive running shoes.
• Accessories: Canvas is used to make tote bags, shopping bags, and other kinds of bags.
• Creative expression: Canvas has always inspired artistic ideas. Business cards are made out of canvas, as are lamps, scrapbook pages, needlepoint projects and more.
• Tarp: Canvas tarps are durable, sturdy, and waterproof. They are popular amongst truck manufacturers as the tarp can withstand strong winds.

Canvas is mixed with other fibers to increase strength or for aesthetic purposes. It is graded by weight or a number system in the United States.