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LinkedIn Polyester is one of the most commonly found materials in the world – lightweight sports shirts, durable tents, and PET bottles are all made from the same fibers. Its strength lies in its versatility: depending on its form and finish, it performs well in fashion, technology, and advertising. In this article, you will learn about its properties and why it is so well-suited for use as advertising materials.
Table of contents
What is polyester (PES/PET)?
Polyester is a family of materials composed of many repeating ester units. The most commonly encountered polyester is PET, used among other things in fibers and plastics.
Polyester is not just one material, but an entire group. Its chain can be built from simple segments or from rings. This choice alters the behavior of the material. Sometimes you prioritize greater durability, while other times you opt for quicker degradation. The result? You select the polyester variant for the task, rather than adapting the task to the material.
PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is the most popular here. It softens under heat and can be molded, and upon cooling, it retains its shape. Production is efficient, and the components come out uniform. The PET chain contains an aromatic ring. This makes the material degrade more slowly in natural conditions. In practice, a product made from PET retains its properties longer and wears out less.
Polyester fiber is a thin, continuous thread. From it, fabrics and knits are created, which are ready materials for sewing. The form itself matters. Textiles provide specific sensations and functions, different from technical components.A real-life example: from polyester fiber (e.g., PET), fabric or knit is created for clothing or equipment. The same polyester can also be formed into film or a bottle for packaging. The chemistry is the same, but the form is different. Thus, both the application and user experience change. This is why polyester works well in both textiles and technical or packaging products.
Properties of polyester that determine its applications
Polyester combines high strength, low water absorption, and quick drying. It has stable dimensions and can be permanently dyed. UV resistance depends on the composition and additives used.
Polyester withstands impacts and elastic deformations well. It cracks, tears, and fatigues less often when bent. This extends the life of moving parts and components under load. A real-life example: an elastic connector, cover, or hinge that returns to shape after pressure. In technical textiles, this results in components that work without permanent deformation.
Low water absorption and quick drying are characteristics of many polyesters. Materials made from such fibers usually do not absorb water like cotton. This means they soak less in the rain, dry faster, and retain their shape. If more “water-loving” segments appear in the chain, absorption increases. This shows that polyester initially has low water absorption.
Dimensional stability means the material retains its shape. It does not stretch excessively or permanently deform under weight. The practical effect is predictable fitting and fewer component replacements. It also refers to resistance to creep, which is slow deformation under constant load. Good performance during temperature changes is also important.
The polyester matrix may weaken over time in sunlight (oxidation, fading), but light-stabilizing additives and special concentrates significantly improve this. In practice, the color looks fresh longer, and the product retains its mechanical properties when exposed outdoors.
Polyester is easy to dye and color can be set. The result is an even, saturated shade and repeatable series. This is important for visual identification and quality control of batches.
Forms and structures: fibers, yarns, fabrics, and knits
Polyester can take various forms: fiber, yarn, fabric, or knit. The material’s behavior is determined by its structure (woven, knitted, nonwoven) and weight.
Polyester first becomes fibers, which are thin threads. Many threads create yarn, and from yarn, ready materials are made. Fabric consists of threads interwoven crosswise. It holds its shape better, so the form is stable over time. Knit is made from loops, like in a sweater. It works and lays softly, providing greater freedom of movement. The same chemistry, but a different form gives different sensations and applications. This makes it easy to choose a polyester variant for a specific role.
Weave and weight
Weave is the way threads are connected in fabric or loops in knit. Weight refers to mass per square meter (g/m²). Higher weight usually means a thicker, more “substantial” material, often providing better coverage. Lower weight offers lightness and airiness. Polyester, as fiber and film, comes in many versions, so you can choose the form for the task.
Examples:
- Flag (flag knit): lightweight knit ~95–105 g/m² flutters beautifully in the wind and is easy to print.
- Tent cover (tent polyester): fabrics ~240–275 g/m² are denser and more resistant to rain, maintaining the shape of the roof/walls.
Finishes and modifications of polyester
Polyester gains new properties through finishes. These are simple treatments or layers that add protection and comfort in use.Polyurethane (PU) impregnation creates a thin, smooth coating. Drops slide off more easily, and dirt does not soak in as quickly. This makes polyester easier to clean, and the tent cover behaves predictably in the rain.PVC coating creates a thicker barrier. Such a surface is very tight and resistant to soaking. In practice, the roof and walls are less temperamental during heavy rain and retain their shape longer.Sunlight can weaken the material and color. Therefore, anti-UV additives are used. These are filters in the mass or coating that slow down fading and brittleness. The effect? The print looks fresh longer, and fabrics like tent or deck chair materials do not appear burnt out after the season.Antistatic treatments reduce minor “shocks” from static electricity and dust attraction. Conductive additives, such as carbon black or metallic or carbon fibers, are added to polyester. This allows the charge to escape. The material behaves more stably during printing and use, which you will appreciate in walls or roll-ups.Flame-retardant finishes in polyester slow down ignition, limit flame spread, and create a protective char layer. This makes polyester harder to ignite and extinguishes more quickly after the source of fire is removed. This is important in halls, at fairs, and in facilities that require safety certifications.MITKO materials are available in versions that meet PN-EN ISO 6940/6941 and DIN 4102-B1. In short: PN-EN ISO 6940/6941 tests the reaction of fabrics to flames (how quickly they ignite and how fire spreads), while the DIN 4102-B1 class indicates a difficult-to-ignite material. For the user, this means simpler formalities with the organizer and greater safety at exhibitions.
Dyeing and printing on polyester
Polyester best accepts color through sublimation. In selected applications, UV printing also works well. A white, smooth substrate provides a cleaner, more vibrant color.Sublimation is the most common method of dyeing and printing on polyester. In practice, it looks like this: ink from paper transfers to the material at high temperature and becomes part of the fiber. This results in saturated colors, and the print feels soft to the touch. This method works well with polyester fabrics and knits used in advertising, such as flags and walls.UV printing creates a layer on the surface. The ink hardens under light, resulting in a durable coating. It adheres well to coated and smooth substrates, such as PVC-coated polyester (PES) and UV+ solutions. This is practical where touch resistance and dirt resistance matter, such as seats or exhibition elements.For flags and walls made from polyester fabrics/knits, sublimation is usually chosen – you will achieve a lightweight, textile print. For seats or covers on coated substrates, UV printing is better – you will get a durable layer on the surface. Thus, you adapt the method to the form of polyester and the expected effect.
Durability and care of polyester
Polyester prefers gentle treatment. This way, it looks good longer and retains its parameters.Hand wash in lukewarm water, up to 40 °C. Gently knead, do not rub or wring. Use a synthetic fabric detergent according to the label. Avoid washing machines and dry cleaning – they shorten the life of the material and finishes. Properly cared for polyester pills less and retains its shape.After washing, rinse thoroughly: 2–3 times in warm water, once in cold water. Do not spin or wring. Hang to drip dry and dry vertically at room temperature. If you must iron, do so through a cloth, from the uncoated side, at a maximum of 110 °C. Do not iron coated materials to maintain their tightness and smooth surface.Coated fabrics, such as polyester with PVC, should be treated exceptionally gently. Wash only by hand. Remove stains with a sponge. Do not iron. This way, the coating will not crack and will retain its water resistance.Flag knits are an exception. Besides hand washing, you can wash them in a washing machine on the “delicate” cycle at
40 °C, with low spinning. They will retain their lightness and work nicely in the wind.
Flame-retardant versions should be cared for without water and chemicals. Do not wash or dry clean. Limit yourself to wiping with a sponge. Fire protection will remain effective, and polyester will retain its safety class.
Avoid solvents and spot cleaning – they can locally damage the finishes. Do not use chlorine or bleach. Prevent strong stains. This way, you can clean the material more easily without aggressive agents, and the print will remain clear longer.
Polyester used for advertising products at MITKO
At MITKO, we focus not only on functionality but also on environmentally friendly solutions. Therefore, some of our materials are made from recycled PET bottles.
How does it work?
- Collected PET bottles are washed and shredded.
- From the flakes, granules are created, which are then turned into polyester fibers.
- These fibers are transformed into fabrics and knits with properties very similar to classic polyester.
Advantages of recycled polyester:
- lower consumption of primary raw materials – less petroleum needed for production,
- reduction of plastic waste – a second life for PET bottles,
- comparable durability – products retain the durability and aesthetics of classic solutions. In practice, this means that advertising flags, tents, or walls made from recycled polyester look just as professional as those made from standard fibers, while supporting the idea of a circular economy.
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