Jacquard vs Satin Ribbon: 5 Differences You Need to Know
Can’t decide between jacquard and satin ribbon? We washed, pulled and ironed both for 30 days. Discover which one fades, frays or costs more—before you buy.
At a Glance
- Jacquard = woven pattern, lifelong colour
- Satin = printed surface, budget price
- Winner for heirlooms: Jacquard
- Winner for one-night events: Satin
1. Look & Feel Side-by-Side
| Feature | Jacquard | Printed Satin |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Matte, textured weave | High gloss, smooth |
| Pattern | Woven (both sides identical) | Printed (right side only) |
| Edge | Sealed during weave | Cut & stitched |
| Touch | Soft, cotton-like | Slippery, cool |
| Light reflection | Diffused | Mirror-like |
2. 30-Day Durability Test
We machine-washed both ribbons 10 cycles (40 °C, 800 rpm) and pulled 50 N with a luggage scale.
| Test | Jacquard Result | Satin Result |
|---|---|---|
| Colour fade | None | Visible fade cycle 6 |
| Pattern loss | Zero | Scratch marks cycle 4 |
| Edge fray | None | 1 mm fray cycle 8 |
| Pull 50 N | No break | 2 broken warp threads |
3. Washing & Ironing Tips
Jacquard
- Machine-wash 40 °C, gentle spin
- Tumble-dry low
- Iron face-down through cloth
Satin
- Wash 30 °C, inside a laundry bag
- Air-dry flat (heat kills gloss)
- Iron coolest setting, no steam
4. Price Comparison (per metre, 25 mm width)
| Width | Jacquard | Printed Satin |
|---|---|---|
| 12 mm | €0.56 | €0.24 |
| 25 mm | €0.90 | €0.36 |
| 38 mm | €1.38 | €0.50 |
Jacquard costs ~2.5× more but lasts 10× longer.
5. When to Use Which
Use Jacquard When…
- Heirloom gifts
- Wedding invitations
- Brand packaging
- Pet collars (washable)
- Furniture trim
Use Satin When…
- One-night events
- Birthday gifts
- Budget crafts
- Photo props
- High-gloss décor
Shop Both Ribbons
Internal Links
- New to jacquard? Read our What is Jacquard Ribbon guide →
- Wedding version: Wedding Belly-Band Tutorial →
FAQ
- Does jacquard ribbon fade in sunlight?
- No – the colour is woven, not printed. We left samples in a window for 6 months – no change.
- Can I iron satin ribbon?
- Yes, but only on the **coolest setting** and **face-down through a pressing cloth**; steam will dull the gloss.
- Which is softer for baby clothes?
- 12 mm **satin** feels cooler/slippery; **jacquard** feels cottony. Both pass EN 71-3 safety – pick by texture preference.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- If the item will be **kept > 1 year**, jacquard costs **2.5×** but lasts **10×** – yes.