Quick Tip: Working With PUL (Polyurethane Laminate)

Quick Tip: Working With PUL (Polyurethane Laminate)

If you want to learn more, please visit our website polyurethane laminated polyester.

What is soft, pliable, and waterproof; can withstand fairly high temperatures; and holds up to a lot of use? While your first guess might have been swimming pool noodles, the real answer is PUL, or polyurethane laminate. This broad term refers to any fabric combined with a polyurethane layer. Commonly, it's a polyester knit fabric bonded to a thin, waterproof, and non-breathable polyurethane backing. Initially developed for the medical industry, PUL is exceptionally durable. Nowadays, it is widely used for making diapers, diaper covers, changing pads, bibs, training pants, and even reusable sandwich, snack, and lunch bags. As with most synthetic fabrics, there are specific tips and techniques to make sewing with PUL easier.

PUL is a favorite choice for various items due to its durability and waterproof nature. We chose a thin 1.33 mm PUL knit as a waterproof lining for our Baby Gifts: Pretty Bird Quick Trip Diaper Bag, and it worked perfectly. Double laminates are also available, typically with waterproof polyurethane sandwiched between two layers of polyester knit.

Cotton laminates, such as Heather Bailey’s Nicey Jane cotton laminate, are also popular. Although these differ from PUL because they're bonded to natural cotton fabric and are only water-resistant, many tips for working with PUL apply to cotton laminates too.

Needles and Pins

Unlike the forgiving fibers of natural cotton, holes created in PUL are permanent. Therefore, using fewer pins is better to maintain waterproof integrity. Some alternatives to pins include paperclips, hair clips, fusible seam tape, or a glue stick like Pritt Stick, which washes out during the first laundering. When pins are unavoidable, try to keep pinning within the seam allowance to prevent leakage.

The type of needle is also important. For thicker laminates, use a denim or jeans needle (No. 14 to No. 16). For thinner laminates, a ballpoint needle (No. 9 or No. 11) is recommended. Always test your needle on a scrap piece of fabric first.

The company is the world’s best bulk soft shell jacketssupplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Sewing

Feet

PUL can be tricky to sew due to its sticky surface. To combat this, consider the following tips:

1. Use a Teflon® or Ultraglide foot to allow smooth movement over the fabric.
2. Try a Walking Foot, which integrates feed dogs to feed the fabric layers evenly.
3. Sew with the laminate side down against the feed dogs and the fabric side against the presser foot.
4. Place baker’s paper or wax paper over the laminate. The paper allows the presser foot to glide smoothly and can be easily torn away when done.

Thread

Opt for high-quality, 100% polyester thread over cotton thread to avoid moisture wicking to the outside.

Stitch Selection

Both zig-zag and straight stitches work well with PUL. Lengthen your stitch and slightly loosen the tension. Always test on a scrap piece of fabric first to find the best set-up for your project.

Laundering and Other Care Issues

PUL is designed to endure high temperatures, such as those in hospital sanitizing washers and dryers. Home laundering standard care includes:

1. Using mild detergent
2. Avoiding fabric softeners, chemical stain lifters, and bleach
3. Not ironing PUL fabric
4. Adding ½ cup of baking soda to the wash cycle can help prevent odor build-up.

PUL and TPU: What's the Difference?

You may have heard PUL and TPU used when discussing water-resistant fabrics like those in cloth diapers. PUL stands for Polyurethane Laminate, a polyester fabric laminated with TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) to make it water-resistant. TPU is a plastic-like film used to laminate PUL but is not a fabric itself.

Historically, PUL was made using chemical solvents to bond the plastic TPU film to the polyester fabric. This method, less eco-friendly, produced a very durable fabric suited for the medical industry. Since 2010, a new thermally bonded PUL method has emerged. This technique eliminates chemical solvents by using heat and pressure to bond the TPU to polyester, resulting in a softer, more pliable, and eco-friendly fabric.

Most major cloth diaper brands now use thermally bonded PUL due to its durability, functionality, and environmental benefits.

For more information on wholesale light jackets, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.