Umbrella Materials Guide for Custom Orders
Fabric, frame, opening system and handle decide how a custom umbrella looks, how it copes with wind and what it costs. This guide explains the main choices and the terms you will see on umbrella specification sheets, so you can compare quotations on the same basis.
Reading an umbrella spec sheet
- Size in inches usually means the rib length, not the open diameter. 19-, 21- and 23-inch sizes are common for folding umbrellas; 27- to 30-inch and larger sizes for golf umbrellas.
- “8K” on a factory sheet means 8 ribs. Most styles in our catalog are 8-rib; 6-, 10-, 12-, 16- and 24-rib frames are used for specific designs.
- “190T” or “210T” describes fabric thread density. A higher number usually means a denser, smoother fabric.
- Auto open / auto open-close describes the mechanism: a button opens the umbrella, or opens and closes it.
Ask for the same items on every quotation — size, rib count, rib and shaft material, fabric, opening system, handle and printing — so prices are comparable.
Canopy fabric
The canopy is the largest surface of the umbrella and carries your logo, so the fabric affects both appearance and print result.
| Fabric | Characteristics | Typically used for |
|---|---|---|
| Pongee | Smooth, dense polyester-based fabric with a soft hand feel; takes logo printing well | Promotional, folding, stick and golf umbrellas — the most common canopy fabric in our catalog |
| Polyester | Economical and widely available in many colors | Budget promotional orders and giveaways |
| Nylon | Lighter, finer fabric with a slight sheen | Compact and lightweight styles |
| Coated fabrics | Fabric with a water-repellent finish or a UV-blocking coating (often silver or black on the inside) | Rain-focused styles, sun umbrellas and dual-use umbrellas |
Exact fabric grades, coatings and color options are confirmed per style in the quotation. If your market requires a specific test or certificate, tell us at the inquiry stage.
Frame, ribs and shaft
- Metal (steel) frames are economical and common on promotional umbrellas.
- Fiberglass ribs flex instead of bending under gusts, which is why they are common on golf and windproof umbrellas.
- Aluminum parts reduce weight on compact and travel styles.
- Rib count changes the canopy shape and how many panels are available for printing — an 8-rib canopy has 8 panels.
Canopy construction
- Single canopy — the standard, lowest-cost construction.
- Double canopy (vented) — an overlapping top layer lets wind pass through, used on many golf and windproof designs.
- Inverted (reverse-folding) — closes with the wet side inside; popular for car users and retail.
- Folding: 2-, 3- or 5-fold — more folds give a shorter closed length but a more complex frame.
Opening system
Manual umbrellas have the simplest mechanism and the lowest cost. Auto open adds a button on the handle or runner. Auto open-close, common on folding umbrellas, opens and closes with one button and costs more because of the additional mechanism.
Handle
Handles in our catalog are made from plastic, rubber, EVA foam, wood, aluminum and leather-look materials, in straight, J-shaped (curved) and custom shapes. For golf umbrellas, a rubber or EVA grip is common; for retail stick umbrellas, wood or a shaped J-handle gives a more premium look.
How materials affect price
From the lowest to the highest cost, the main drivers are usually:
- Frame: metal → fiberglass → mixed or specialty frames
- Canopy: single layer → double layer or coated fabric
- Mechanism: manual → auto open → auto open-close
- Printing: one-color logo on one panel → multi-color, multi-panel or full-canopy printing
- Packaging: polybag → sleeve → gift or retail box
Our guide on umbrella manufacturing cost covers pricing factors in more detail, and printing methods explains the print options.
Not sure which specification fits your budget?
Tell us how the umbrellas will be used, your target quantity and price range. We will suggest a frame, fabric and printing combination and quote it.
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