Laminated usually means a PP woven base with PE film laminated on one side or both sides. Unlaminated (uncoated) is the woven roll as it comes off the loom, without that waterproof skin.
Buyers mix these up when comparing GSM and price. A 100 GSM laminated roll is not the same product as a 100 GSM uncoated roll.
Side-by-side
| Point | Unlaminated PP woven roll | PE laminated woven roll |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Woven texture, air can pass | Film skin, much lower water pass-through |
| Typical use | Bags, liners, some ground cover, wrapping | Tarpaulin conversion, truck covers, outdoor covers |
| Water | Not a rain cover by itself | Selected when the converter needs a waterproof face |
| Welding | Limited | Often used where heat welding is part of cover making |
| Price driver | Yarn, weave, GSM | Base GSM plus film, coating adhesion and color |
| What to confirm | Weave density, tensile, roll width | Coating side, adhesion, UV, welding/sewing method |
Choose unlaminated when
- The roll will be sewn into bags, liners or wrapping, not used as a rain sheet.
- You need breathability or a fabric face, not a film face.
- Ground cover specs call for water permeability rather than a tarp surface. Confirm that separately; some ground cover is still woven without tarp lamination.
See white PP/PE woven roll and yellow PP woven fabric roll when appearance or site visibility matters more than tarp waterproofing.
Choose laminated when
- A converter will cut covers for trucks, cargo, storage or construction rain protection.
- You need a wipeable, lower-porosity face.
- The quote is for tarpaulin conversion or truck cover rolls.
Then confirm one side or both sides, coating adhesion, color and UV. Read PP woven roll vs PE tarpaulin roll if the supplier’s naming is unclear.
GSM trap
Ask whether GSM is:
- base woven fabric only;
- finished laminated weight.
Price-per-ton or price-per-roll is not comparable until that is stated. Use how to choose GSM with this page, not instead of it.
FAQ
Is laminated always better?
No. Extra film adds cost, stiffness and freight. Packaging and some agriculture uses do not need a tarp face.
Can we laminate later?
Some converters coat or laminate downstream. Say that in the RFQ so the base cloth is quoted as base cloth.