About Canvas – High Quality Canvas Tents- 3DOG Camping.

Canvas is a fascinating fabric with a very long history, probably most of us are familiar with the use of canvas in tents, it has also been used to make sails and as a material for artists to paint upon, along with numerous other uses throughout the years. In this article we explore a little about the history of canvas and its evolution throughout the years, and some of the benefits of using canvas in modern tents.

What is canvas? Canvas is a strong, tightly woven cloth which has been used throughout history for purposes where a very strong fabric is needed, for example in applications such as sails for boats, shelters for people and equipment, clothing, bags and outdoor equipment covers.

The word “canvas” is derived from the 13th century Anglo-French canevaz and the Old French canevas. Both may be derivatives of the Vulgar Latin cannapaceus for “made of hemp,” originating from the Greek (cannabis).(wikipedia)

Hemp is one of the oldest plants known that can be used to create the fibres necessary to make cloth and it is recorded that in China farmers were making cloth from hemp plants from at least 3000BC.

Canvas is an extremely, long lasting and hard wearing fabric. Modern canvas is no longer made from hemp however and is usually made from cotton or linen and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Canvas is made from a different weave than other heavy cotton fabrics, using plain weave instead of twill weave, and canvas itself also comes in two basic types, plain and ‘duck’. In duck weave the threads are woven more tightly than in plain weave.

‘Cotton duck (from Dutch: doek, “linen canvas”), also simply duck, sometimes duck cloth or duck canvas, is a heavy, plain woven cotton fabric. Duck canvas is more tightly woven than plain canvas. There is also linen duck, which is less often used.’ Wikipedia

The grade of canvas can be measured in GSM (grams per square metre) oz/sq2 (ounces per square yard) , where a heavier weight means a strong more tough fabric. The weight of duck should always be measured in its loomstate, this is the natural weight of the canvas before it has been treated with rot or waterproofing agent. Normally canvas weight will increase by 20% once the canvas has been treated with the finishing agents.

Canvas quality is also often measured using a graded number system The numbers run in reverse of the weight so a number 10 canvas is lighter than number 4.

3DOG CAMPING PRODUCES ITS CANVAS PRODUCTS IN-HOUSE IN ITS HAMBURG FACILITY. UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE OF A MASTER SAILMAKER

Once canvas has been exposed to water and moisture a few times (rain or seawater etc)it will naturally become waterproof, the cotton threads expand and swell up filling all of the gaps in the fabric. In modern canvas fabrics, chemicals are also added which further reduce water absorption and also cause the fabric to dry out faster when drying.


One of the most important parts of a 3DOG camping tent is the canvas, which gives unmatched protection against wind and weather. Australian tent canvas is a fabric that has proven its worth over many decades. It’s extremely resilient, breathable and weather-resistant, and is one of the main reasons their tents have such a long life.

About Canvas – High Quality Canvas Tents- 3DOG Camping.

A wealth of experience and specialised equipment are needed to process this high-Quality material, which is why 3DOG camping produces in-house in its Hamburg facility. Under the watchful eye of a master sailmaker, the best of Australian outdoor tradition and unique German craftsmanship unite in their high-tech sewing room.

Canvas Paternoster – This composite fabric, which is an intelligent blend of cotton and polyester, meets the toughest demands that can be placed on a tent material. It combines the advantages of natural fibre with those of a modern synthetic material. The result is a strong, breathable canvas with a pleasant look and feel, which sets the benchmark for strength and stability.

During the manufacturing process, special double-twined yarns are tightly interwoven. The weave is thoroughly cleaned and all natural and process-related residues, which could damage the fabric, are removed. High quality components are used for the finishing of the fabric, to ensure ultimate protection against weathering, fungal and mould infestation, discolouring, water ingress and UV rays.

The finishing process is such that the material isn’t just sealed on the surface – because this could lead to brittleness and poor breathability. Instead, using a large immersion bath, the protective substances are impregnated deep into the fabric. This special approach guarantees a long material life and lasting protection.

3DOG camping canvas is waterproof under a water column of up to 750 mm – impressive credentials for a cotton/polyester composite fabric! In other words, however much it buckets down outside, inside your tent stays perfectly dry. A tear strength of up to 1,800 N, combined with a high resistance to weathering and super-durability, make this canvas the ideal material for a tent that will last and perform well season after season.

About Canvas – High Quality Canvas Tents- 3DOG Camping.