What is ripstop fabric? Ripstop is a woven fabric, often nylon or polyester, with thicker reinforcement yarns woven in a grid that stops small tears from spreading; the grid, water repellent coatings and heat sensitivity mean decorators need low temperature transfers rated for the fabric, careful embroidery and tests on every new garment.

Key rule: ripstop stops rips from spreading, not from starting. For decorators, the coating on the fabric usually matters more than the grid.

Part of the business and pricing guides in the DAX Learning Hub. Related: What Fabric Can You Embroider On?, What Is Jersey Fabric?, How to Buy Wholesale Blank T Shirts, Heat Press on Nylon and Screen Printing on Nylon.

Published by DAX (Decorated Apparel Expo) · Last updated: October 2026

Ripstop vs Plain Nylon vs Canvas

The grid itself changes little for decoration. The fiber and the finish drive the settings.

What Is Ripstop Fabric? How It Is Made

Ripstop is a weaving technique, not a fiber. A plain weave base is woven with stronger, often thicker, reinforcement yarns placed at regular intervals in both directions, which forms the visible square grid. If a small hole or tear starts, the reinforcement yarns contain it within a grid square instead of letting it run across the fabric.

Nylon is common, especially in the reinforcement yarns, but ripstop is also made in polyester, cotton, nylon cotton blends and other fibers. That is why the label matters: a nylon ripstop jacket, a polyester ripstop bag and a cotton blend ripstop work pant need different settings.

Heat Pressing Ripstop

Many synthetic ripstops are heat sensitive, so they need lower temperatures than cotton. Most adhesion trouble on nylon ripstop comes not from the fiber but from water repellent treatments, which keep adhesives from bonding. Film makers sell low temperature films designed for coated fabrics for this reason.

1. Read the fiber content and any notes about coatings or water repellency.
2. Drip a little water on an inside area: if it beads, expect a repellent finish.
3. Choose a film or transfer the maker rates for coated or nylon fabrics.
4. Press at the maker's low temperature settings with a cover sheet and a test garment.
5. Let it cool, then check adhesion with a peel and flex test before running the order.

See heat press on nylon for nylon settings and films.

Embroidering and Printing Ripstop

Ripstop is a stable woven, but light outerwear ripstop is thin and can pucker or show needle holes under dense stitching. Keep designs moderate in density, use backing suited to the garment weight, and test sew. On lined jackets, plan whether to stitch through the lining or work from an access opening.

Screen printing on nylon and coated fabrics needs inks and additives made for them, and repellent finishes can stop ink from wetting the surface. See screen printing on nylon for ink systems.

Coatings and Water Repellent Finishes

Water repellent finishes make liquids bead and roll off the surface. That helps the wearer but works against inks and adhesives. Technical fabrics may also have heat limits that a standard transfer would exceed. Suppliers of decorated outerwear recommend adhesion testing before bulk runs.

Ask the supplier about coatings when ordering. If the garment has a repellent finish, quote extra testing time and consider methods that do not rely on adhesion, such as embroidery or sewn patches.

Keep a test log for each ripstop style: fiber, coating, method, settings and results. The next order for the same style starts from proven settings.

Quoting a Ripstop Job

Start a ripstop quote by identifying the item: jacket, vest, bag, hat or pants. Each has different seams, linings and hardware, and those details decide whether you print, press, stitch or add a patch.

Ask the customer for the style number and request the supplier spec sheet. You want fiber content, any coating or water repellent finish, and the heat limits the maker gives. If the sheet is vague, get a sample before you commit.

Build test time into the price. A ripstop job usually needs a test piece, a wash check and an adhesion check before production, and that labor is part of doing the job right.

Write the approved method, settings and placement on the job ticket. If the customer reorders next year in a new color, retest, since a different dye lot or finish can behave differently.

Tell the buyer how to care for the finished items. Cool washes and low dryer heat protect both the fabric and the decoration, and clear care advice heads off complaints later.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ripstop Fabric (FAQ)

What is ripstop fabric made of?

Ripstop is a weave, often nylon or polyester, also cotton and blends, with thicker reinforcement yarns in a grid.

Can you heat press ripstop nylon?

Often, with a film the maker rates for nylon or coated fabrics, at the maker's settings. Test first, since coatings can block adhesion.

Can you embroider ripstop?

Yes, with moderate density, suitable backing and a test sew. Light ripstop can pucker under heavy designs.

Ripstop vs nylon: what is the difference?

Nylon is a fiber; ripstop is a weave. Ripstop nylon is nylon woven with the reinforcement grid.

Why won't my transfer stick to ripstop?

Usually a water repellent finish or coating, or a film not rated for the fabric. Use a film made for coated fabrics and test.

Supplier note: figures and settings here are hedged starting points that vary by blank, film, stone, leather, ink and certificate; confirm every claim against the supplier or manufacturer spec sheet, the garment care label and current certificates. Fiber, coatings and heat limits vary by garment; follow the film or ink maker's spec sheet and test.

Browse more guides in the DAX Learning Hub, and check cities and dates on the DAX show schedule when you are ready to see outerwear blanks and heat transfer films in person.