If you're looking for a basic black material that can handle tough jobs, but you've found that others, like ballistic nylon, are a bit heavy for your use, then why not give pack cloth a try? Easy to work with, pack cloth is a urethane coated nylon. It's designed to resist rips and tears, it doesn't fray, and it repels water. Black is a great multipurpose color for whatever the end product is going to be, from tarps and signs, to stuff sacks and beach bags. Pack cloth is a workhorse that doesn't sacrifice form for function--it's got a pleasing texture and a light sheen, and it isn't as stiff as many other types of laminated or coated fabrics.