Textile webbing has many applications in the manufacturing industry.

If you’re not familiar with it, textile webbing is a strong and durable material that is used in a wide range of applications, from military gear to outdoor equipment. There are several types of webbing available, including polypropylene, polyester, and nylon webbing. Military specification webbing and pattern webbing are also popular options.

  • Polypropylene webbing has excellent chemical resistance to most acids and alkalis and is resistant to insects & pests. Its low moisture absorption helps aid the quick transport of moisture. Used in outdoor gear, camera and instrument straps, wet filtration, agriculture, furniture, luggage, and tarpaulins.
  • Polyester webbing is a strong and durable material that is resistant to UV light, making it ideal for cargo straps, lifting slings, and harnesses.
  • Nylon webbing is another popular option that is also known for its durability. It is commonly used in climbing gear, tow straps, and tie-downs.
  • Military specification webbing is a high-strength material that meets the stringent requirements of military applications. It is designed to withstand extreme conditions and is commonly used in tactical gear, such as belts, vests, and pouches. John Howard Company is a leading supplier of Military Tactical Webbing (Made in the USA) and tactical plastic hardware.
  • Pattern webbing is a type of nylon webbing that features a repeating pattern or design. It is commonly used in fashion and accessory applications, such as belts, bags, and dog collars.
  • Elastic webbing is a type of woven material made from synthetic or natural fibers, such as polyester, nylon, or rubber, that has elasticity properties. It is commonly used in the production of various products, such as clothing, furniture, and automobile interiors, to provide a flexible and stretchable support system.

Each type of webbing has its own advantages.
Polypropylene webbing is lightweight and has resistance characteristics.
Polyester webbing is incredibly strong and durable, military specification is designed to withstand extreme conditions
Nylon webbing can handle high tensile strength, and pattern webbing offers unique designs
Elastic webbing can be found in a variety of forms, such as flat, round, or tubular, and can be manufactured in various widths and thicknesses to suit specific needs.

Whatever the webbing, it is often used in combination with other materials, such as foam padding, to provide added comfort and support. Whatever your manufacturing needs are, John Howard Company has a webbing that can meet your specifications and needs.

John Howard Company offers a huge selection of durable, high quality webbing products.

We invite you to call one of our textile webbing experts to discuss your webbing needs and get our expert advise on your bests options. We also can help you with our webbing cutting services and with our offerings of industrial quality webbing cutting machines.

Textile Webbing Overview

Textile webbing is a versatile material that finds application in a wide range of products across various industries. Some of the top products that commonly use textile webbing include:

  • Outdoor Gear: Textile webbing is extensively used in outdoor gear such as backpacks, camping equipment, and hiking gear. It is used for straps, handles, waist belts, and load-bearing components that provide strength and support. Even the US Military uses webbing supplied by us!
  • Automotive Industry: Webbing is employed in the automotive industry for seat belts, safety harnesses, cargo straps, and load restraints. It provides high tensile strength and durability for securing occupants and cargo.
  • Furniture and Upholstery: Webbing is utilized in furniture and upholstery manufacturing for supporting cushions, seat backs, and springs. It provides structural integrity and elasticity to ensure comfortable seating.
  • Safety Equipment: Textile webbing is crucial in safety equipment such as harnesses, fall protection systems, and safety belts. It offers strength and reliability in critical applications to protect workers in various industries.
  • Luggage and Bags: Webbing is commonly found in luggage, duffel bags, backpacks, and messenger bags. It serves as shoulder straps, handles, and attachment points, providing strength and convenience for carrying. Next time you strap up your backpack you might want to pay attention to how much webbing is used in your straps.
  • Sports Equipment: Textile webbing is used in sports equipment like climbing harnesses, paragliding equipment, and kiteboarding harnesses. It offers secure attachment and load-bearing capabilities in extreme sports.
  • Medical Devices: Webbing is employed in medical devices and equipment such as patient restraints, orthopedic supports, and positioning straps. It provides stability and secure fastening for patient safety. If you’ve seen or used a knee brace or back brace its usually a combination of Velcro and Webbing that make those products work.
  • Equestrian Products: Textile webbing is used in horse equipment like horse halters, lead ropes, and harnesses. It offers strength and reliability for handling and controlling horses.
  • Fashion and Apparel: Webbing is utilized in fashion and apparel for various purposes, including belts, straps on bags and backpacks, trimmings, and decorative elements.
  • Industrial and Commercial Applications: Textile webbing finds use in industrial and commercial applications, including cargo securing, lifting slings, tie-down straps, tow straps, and load-bearing equipment.

These are just a few examples of the many products that utilize textile webbing. The versatility, strength, and durability of webbing make it a preferred choice in numerous industries where reliable and robust materials are required.

John Howard Company is proud to be a leading supplier of textile webbing to product manufacturers and the US military!

harness textile webbing

How is Textile Webbing Made?

Textile webbing is typically made through a manufacturing process known as weaving. This is not your grandma’s weaving either! These are very complex and sophisticated machines at work. Textile webbing weaving involves interlacing multiple yarns or threads together to create a strong and durable fabric. Here’s a general overview of the steps involved in making textile webbing:

  • Yarn Preparation: The process begins with preparing the yarn. The yarn can be made from various materials such as cotton, nylon, polyester, or a blend of different fibers. The yarn is often wound onto bobbins or cones for easier handling during the weaving process.
  • Warping: In this step, the yarn is arranged in parallel, lengthwise strands known as warp yarns. The yarns are wound onto a beam called a warp beam, which feeds the yarns into the weaving machine.
  • Shedding: The next step is shedding, which involves creating a separation or opening between the warp yarns. This opening allows the weft yarns to be inserted during the weaving process. Shedding can be done using various methods, such as manually lifting certain warp yarns or using a shedding mechanism in modern weaving machines.
  • Inserting the Weft Yarns: The weft yarns, which run perpendicular to the warp yarns, are inserted into the shed created in the previous step. This is typically done using a shuttle or other insertion mechanisms. The weft yarn is passed back and forth across the width of the fabric, going over and under the warp yarns.
  • Beating: After each weft insertion, the weft yarn is beaten down firmly against the previous row of weft yarns using a comb-like tool called a beater. This process ensures that the weft yarns are tightly packed and securely interlocked with the warp yarns.
  • Repeating: Steps 3 to 5 are repeated continuously, with the shedding, weft insertion, and beating processes performed in a rhythmic manner. The fabric gradually grows in length as more rows of weft yarns are added.
  • Finishing: Once the desired length of fabric has been woven, the webbing is typically subjected to various finishing processes. These may include trimming any loose threads, washing or dyeing the fabric, and applying any necessary coatings or treatments to enhance its properties, such as flame resistance or adding a water repellent.

After the finishing processes, the webbing is typically wound onto rolls.

Overall textile webbing is an invaluable part of our world and the products we use. Often it is used in conjunction with hardware fastening components like buckles or hooks, to create finished products like straps, belts, or harnesses.

Some high-speed webbing machines can produce webbing at speeds exceeding 1,000 feet per minute (around 300 meters per minute)! These machines are equipped with advanced technologies and efficient mechanisms that allow for rapid and continuous production.

John Howard Company can supply you with all your webbing needs AND we can even cut your webbing to your sizes and specifications!

We invite you to contact us for your webbing needs!