The cheaper sheets in Ikea don't use linen or will use a blend. The ones which do tend to use flax do so with worse characteristics (shorter or uneven fibers).

The cheaper sheets in Ikea don't use linen or will use a blend. The ones which do tend to use flax do so with worse characteristics (shorter or uneven fibers). I'm not sure about Ikea in particular but cheaper sheets are more often thinner to save on material costs, same thing happens with T-Shirts where a significant part of the price is just fabric cost. They use worse weaving machines which go quicker causing a worse texture, fibers also really limit the weaving. You'd genuinely have to feel to understand the difference. The edges/'insert part' will also be more refined. Your linen sheets will be washed more thoroughly before using when you buy luxury linen. Luxury brands will be more strict quality control. This doesn't mean the Ikea ones are improper but there's a reason people pay more for quality products, these products tend to be made in countries with higher labour costs as well (Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Baltic countries ...). All my bedding comes from Libeco in Flanders and most of my linen clothing comes from "Not Perfect Linen" in Lithuania which is affordable considering it's custom made.