There are five members in plastics family, polyester is one of these. Polyester is a category of polymers which contain the ester functional group in their main chain. Although there are many types of polyester, the term "polyester" as a specific material most commonly refers to polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Most printed labels are made from polyesters. Polyesters include naturally occurring chemicals, such as in the cetin of plant cuticles. Natural polyesters and a few synthetic ones are biodegradable, but most synthetic polyesters are not.

Fabrics woven or knitted from polyester thread or yarn are used extensively in apparel and home furnishings, from shirts and pants to jackets and hats, bed sheets, blankets, upholstered furniture and computer mouse mats. Industrial polyester fibers and ropes are used in tire reinforcements, fabrics for conveyor belts, safety belts, coated fabrics and plastic reinforcements with high-energy absorption. Polyester fiber is used as cushioning and insulating material in pillows, comforters and printed labels. Polyesters are also used to make bottles, films, tarpaulin, canoes, liquid crystal displays, holograms, filters, dielectric film for capacitors, film insulation for wire and insulating tapes.

The words fabric and cloth are used in textile assembly trades as synonyms for textile. However, there are subtle differences in these terms in specialized usage. Textile refers to any material made of interlacing fibers. Fabric refers to any material made through weaving, knitting, spreading, crocheting, or bonding that may be used in production of further goods such asprinted labels. Polyesters are widely used as a finish on high-quality wood products such as guitars, pianos and vehicle/yacht interiors. Thyrotrophic properties of spray-applicable polyesters make them ideal for use on open-grain timbers, as they can quickly fill wood grain, with a high-build film thickness per coat. Cured polyesters can be sanded and polished to a high-gloss, durable finish.