Understanding Different Types of Ribbon: How to Match Patterns and When to Use Them
Understanding Different Types of Ribbon: How to Match Patterns and When to Use Them
If you’ve ever stood in front of a wall of ribbon at your favorite craft store and felt overwhelmed, you’re not alone! Ribbon comes in so many styles, textures, and widths that it can be hard to know which one to choose for your wreaths, bows, and other projects. In this post, we’ll go through the most common types of ribbon, their best uses, and tips for matching patterns so you can create professional-looking designs every time.
1. Velvet Ribbon
Velvet ribbon adds elegance and texture to any design. It’s most popular during the holiday and wedding seasons because of its rich, soft appearance. When using velvet ribbon outdoors, make sure it’s rated for outdoor use: indoor velvet will quickly fade or collect moisture. Many velvet ribbons feature added shimmer or glitter, giving your wreaths and bows a festive glow.
Best Uses: Christmas wreaths, tree toppers, wedding décor, and elegant floral arrangements.
2. Mesh and Deco Flex Ribbon
Mesh ribbon is the same material used for deco mesh wreaths: lightweight, flexible, and slightly see-through. It’s great for adding volume and texture to bows and wreath bases. Deco flex ribbon is a stretchable version that’s perfect for creating fun shapes or accents. Both come in a wide range of colors and are ideal for large, statement pieces.
Best Uses: Wreath bases, holiday décor, and filler accents.
3. Burlap Ribbon
Burlap ribbon offers a natural, rustic texture that’s popular for farmhouse, fall, and wedding designs. It can be wired or unwired, and both types are easy to shape. Because burlap is breathable and sturdy, it’s a great ribbon to use outdoors.
Best Uses: Rustic wreaths, wedding centerpieces, farmhouse bows, and outdoor décor.
4. Pleated Ribbon
Pleated ribbon is often used during the holidays and works beautifully as an accent layer behind your bow loops. Its unique texture catches light and creates depth, especially on Christmas trees or large decorative bows.
Best Uses: Tree garlands, bow back layers, holiday décor.
5. Tulle (Tool) Ribbon
Tulle ribbon is light, airy, and comes in endless colors. It’s perfect for soft, whimsical projects like baby showers, weddings, and tutus. Because it’s not wired, it doesn’t hold its shape as well, but it adds a delicate touch when layered over sturdier ribbons.
Best Uses: Weddings, baby décor, tutus, and gift wrapping.
6. Sheer Ribbon
Sheer ribbon is semi-transparent and often wired for shaping. It adds a soft sparkle without overpowering your design. When matching patterns, sheer ribbon pairs beautifully with bold prints or glitter textures to balance out the look.
Best Uses: Wedding bows, baby gifts, accent loops, and floral designs.
7. Satin Ribbon
Satin ribbon has a shiny, smooth finish and is often used for elegant bows or gift wrapping. It comes in both wired and unwired varieties. Be cautious of trademarked printed ribbons: just because they’re sold in stores doesn’t mean they’re legal to resell on finished products.
Best Uses: Weddings, funerals, hair bows, centerpieces, and packaging.
8. Metallic and Glitter Ribbon
Metallic ribbons are sturdy and reflect light beautifully. They’re easier to work with than plain satin because the metallic finish gives them extra stiffness. Glitter ribbon, on the other hand, adds bold sparkle but can shed, so seal edges if needed.
Best Uses: Holiday wreaths, party décor, and cheer bows.
9. Denim and Canvas Ribbon
This is one of the best ribbons for beginners! Also called royal burlap or canvas, denim ribbon is thick, wired, and easy to shape. It comes in many colors and patterns, including gingham and plaid, making it extremely versatile.
Best Uses: Everyday wreaths, farmhouse bows, outdoor designs, and craft fair projects.
10. Gingham Ribbon
Gingham ribbon features the classic checkered pattern and adds a charming country look. It’s thinner than denim but still holds its shape well when wired. Try pairing gingham with solid or floral prints for balanced, eye-catching bows.
Best Uses: Farmhouse wreaths, spring projects, and layered bows.
11. Jelly Ribbon
Jelly ribbon is made from a flexible plastic material that resembles the jelly sandals from the ’90s! It’s wired and works great for fun, modern accents on wreaths and trees. Because it’s plastic, it can be stiff in larger sizes, so use it sparingly for the best results.
Best Uses: Candyland-themed wreaths, tree toppers, and accent loops.
12. Grosgrain (Grass Grain) Ribbon
Grosgrain ribbon has a textured weave and matte finish, making it strong and durable. It’s usually unwired but holds up beautifully for hair bows, dog bows, and package wraps. It’s also great for baby or children’s projects because it resists fraying.
Best Uses: Hair bows, gift wrapping, diaper cakes, and kids’ décor.
13. Fabric Ribbons
Don’t overlook fabric strips as ribbon alternatives! Fabric can be torn into strips for rag bows or fabric wreaths. Because fabric follows different copyright laws than pre-printed ribbon, you can even use certain licensed prints for sewn crafts.
Best Uses: Rag bows, fabric wreaths, and hand-sewn crafts.
How to Match Ribbon Patterns Like a Pro
When mixing ribbons, the secret is balance. Follow the 1-2-3 rule:
- One solid ribbon for structure.
- One patterned ribbon (like stripes, gingham, or polka dots) for visual interest.
- One specialty ribbon (like glitter or metallic) for a pop of texture.
Combine different widths: for example, a 2.5″ denim with a 1.5″ plaid, to give your bows depth and dimension. Keep your color palette cohesive by choosing shades that complement rather than compete.
Final Thoughts
From velvet elegance to rustic burlap charm, ribbons are one of the most versatile materials in the craft world. Once you understand how each type behaves, matching patterns and textures becomes second nature. Whether you’re creating a Christmas wreath, wedding bow, or everyday farmhouse piece, the right ribbon will make your design shine.
