Custom Size Tarp Covers..
- 2026-05-24
Zhangbaling Plastic Polymer Industrial Park, Zhangbaling Town, Mingguang City, Chuzhou, Anhui Provin
Industrial Tarpaulin & Custom Tarp Materials
Factory supply · OEM sizes · PVC coated fabric
Tarp vs Tarpaulin Buyer Guide
For everyday speaking, “tarp” and “tarpaulin” usually describe the same protective sheet. For industrial purchasing, however, the wording can affect how buyers specify material, waterproofing, reinforcement, coating and service life.
Der factory supplies PVC tarpaulin and custom tarp cover materials for demanding outdoor and industrial applications.
Many buyers search this question because product names online are inconsistent. One supplier may say “vinyl tarp,” another may say “PVC tarpaulin,” and another may say “truck cover.” A better way to evaluate the product is to read the specification behind the name.
A tarp is simply the short form used in common speech. Home users often say tarp when referring to a cover for rain, shade, cargo, furniture or temporary shelter.
Tarpaulin is the formal term often used in international trade, industrial specifications and material descriptions such as PVC tarpaulin, coated tarpaulin or waterproof tarpaulin.
For B2B buyers, the important question is not which word is correct. The key is whether the material has the right weight, coating, tear strength, waterproofing and fabrication method.
Use this table when deciding how to write an RFQ, product page, catalog name or purchase order.
| Term | Common meaning | Best use in purchasing | What to check before buying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarp | Short name for a protective cover or sheet. | Useful for finished covers, retail product names and quick customer communication. | Material, size, waterproof grade, grommets, edge reinforcement and expected lifespan. |
| Tarpaulin | Full formal name for a strong flexible protective sheet. | Useful for technical documents, export orders, industrial coated fabrics and roll goods. | GSM, base fabric, coating type, tensile strength, tear resistance, flame-retardant or UV treatment. |
| PVC tarpaulin | PVC coated polyester fabric for waterproof heavy-duty use. | Recommended for truck covers, industrial covers, outdoor storage, tents, agriculture and custom fabrication. | PVC coating quality, polyester yarn, lacquer finish, weldability, cold resistance and custom processing. |
| Mesh tarp | Ventilated cover for shade, airflow or debris control. | Recommended when air passage is required and full waterproofing is not the main goal. | Shade rate, mesh density, edge binding, UV resistance and attachment method. |
Factory-supplied PVC coated fabric can be converted into finished tarps, truck covers, side curtains and industrial protective covers.
Two products can both be called “tarps,” but their performance can be completely different. A lightweight temporary poly tarp, a breathable canvas cover, a ventilated mesh shade tarp and a heavy-duty PVC tarpaulin are not interchangeable.
PVC coated polyester: waterproof, durable, weldable and suitable for truck covers, industrial covers, outdoor storage and custom OEM tarps.
Polyethylene: lightweight and economical for temporary rain cover, roof patching, construction storage and short-term outdoor protection.
Canvas: breathable and water-resistant, useful when airflow is more important than full waterproof sealing.
Mesh: designed for shade, ventilation, debris control and wind reduction, not for full rain protection.
When you request a quotation from Der factory, the following details help the engineering and sales team recommend a more accurate material and processing method.
| Specification item | Common options | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Base fabric | Polyester, HDPE mesh, PE woven fabric, canvas | Controls dimensional stability, tear resistance, flexibility and product weight. |
| Coating system | PVC coating, laminated PE, wax/oil treatment, acrylic lacquer | Determines waterproofing, surface feel, weldability, UV resistance and cleaning performance. |
| Weight | Light duty, medium duty, heavy duty; commonly specified by GSM | A higher GSM often means stronger material, but the correct choice depends on application and handling requirements. |
| Edge construction | Welded hems, reinforced edges, webbing, rope, double-layer corners | Prevents failure at high-stress points when the cover is tied, pulled or exposed to wind. |
| Accessories | Grommets, D-rings, straps, Velcro, logo printing, eyelets | Allows the tarp or tarpaulin to be used as a finished product, not only a sheet material. |
| Performance treatment | UV-resistant, flame-retardant, anti-mildew, cold-resistant, anti-static | Improves durability and safety for outdoor, industrial, logistics and special project conditions. |
Der factory can supply roll materials and finished custom covers. Choose the product direction based on the environment, expected service life and how the cover will be fixed in place.
PVC tarpaulin is suitable for truck covers, outdoor machinery covers, container covers, industrial curtains, tents, temporary structures, agricultural covers and custom welded tarps. It is often selected when buyers need stronger waterproofing, better tear resistance and stable OEM fabrication.
Not every application requires a heavy-duty waterproof PVC sheet. Mesh is better for shade and ventilation. Canvas may be chosen for breathable storage. PE tarps can work for short-term or budget-sensitive protection. Der factory helps buyers compare the trade-offs before production.
The following internal links help buyers move from the information page to relevant product pages for material selection, finished tarps and application-specific solutions.
A successful tarp order depends on more than a product name. Der factory supports OEM buyers, distributors, logistics fleets, construction contractors and project companies with application-based material selection.
Truck transport, outdoor storage, construction, agriculture, shelter, shade or industrial separation.
Choose PVC, PE, mesh or other fabric based on waterproofing, airflow, UV exposure and durability.
Plan size, seams, welded hems, reinforced corners, webbing, grommet spacing and logo printing.
Arrange roll goods or finished tarps with consistent color, packaging, labeling and repeatable production.
Der factory focuses on coated fabrics, tarpaulin materials and finished cover solutions for buyers who need stable repeat orders rather than one-time retail products.
Material weight, color, width, coating, reinforcement, grommets, hems, printing and packaging can be discussed according to project requirements.
The team can help match product grade to trucks, agriculture, outdoor storage, equipment covers, shelters, shade and industrial covering applications.
PVC coated tarpaulin is a key solution when buyers need strong waterproof protection, weldable seams and reliable outdoor performance.
Bulk customers can develop custom specifications for local markets, private label programs, project bidding and long-term procurement.
Der factory helps buyers avoid confusion between tarp, tarpaulin, vinyl tarp and PVC coated fabric by confirming the exact performance requirements first.
Send your application, size, quantity and performance requirements. Der factory will recommend a suitable material and custom fabrication direction.
In common use, no. Tarp is the shortened word for tarpaulin. In B2B purchasing, tarpaulin is often used for formal material specifications, while tarp is often used for the finished cover. Material, coating and reinforcement matter more than the wording.
Yes, PVC coated polyester tarpaulin is commonly selected for waterproof applications. The final performance also depends on coating quality, welded seams, edge construction and how the cover is installed.
No. Canvas is usually breathable and water-resistant, while PVC tarpaulin is a coated synthetic material designed for stronger waterproofing and heavy-duty outdoor use.
For truck covers and cargo protection, PVC coated polyester tarpaulin is often recommended because it is waterproof, durable, tear-resistant and suitable for reinforced hems, grommets and welding.
Yes. Der factory can support roll materials and custom finished tarps with size, color, edge reinforcement, grommets, webbing, welding and logo printing based on the order requirement.
Both can be understood, but a professional RFQ should include the specific material and performance requirement, such as PVC tarpaulin, waterproof vinyl tarp, truck cover tarpaulin, mesh tarp or custom PVC coated fabric cover.
Recommended page URL: http://www.der-factory.com/en/difference-between-tarp-and-tarpaulin.html
Our products are widely used in our residential and industrial area, which can be used for producing tents, outdoor covering, flexible ventilation tube, water bladders, inflatable castles, architecture membrane structures, etc. Our main products: PVC coated fabrics, PU/TPU coated fabrics, Oxford fabric, PVC ceiling film, flexible banner material. Welcome to our site and order online.