Choosing the proper custom carrying case can seem a little intimidating at first. But it doesn’t have to be. Once you know how to select the best designer carrying case, the rest is easy.
The perfect custom designer carrying case can solve your everyday and special occasion storage needs with an effortless, bespoke style. While buying a pre-developed case is easy, consider choosing a custom case designed precisely for the item or industry in mind. That way, you can ensure you get all the specs and details you need.
Check out these 5 tips to choose a carrying case design that you can enjoy for years.
1. Work With a Design Team
A custom carrying case can give you an optimal way to display and safely transport personal items or products to showcase for marketing. If you prefer one-of-a-kind individual cases or if standard, pre-developed cases don’t suit your needs, then it’s a good idea to reach out to a carrying case design team to take the next steps.
While it’s possible to draw up a plan if you have an idea for a case, there’s nothing like working with an experienced design team who are experts in designing custom cases that carry many different items. Design team members can partner with you to make your vision a reality.
For example, a design team may have a cut-and-sew contractor with the tools and skillset to take your idea from raw material to a finished product. They can help you decide what features to include in your customized case.
2. Know Your Style
Do you need a backpack-style bag? A classic briefcase? A messenger bag or attaché case?
Knowing which style will offer maximum protection and portability and cover all your bases is essential. For example, you might choose a modern leather briefcase if you’re a businessperson who wants to store your laptop on the go. A digital nomad or someone who commutes on a bicycle may prefer a backpack.
Once you choose your style, you can work from this basis to develop a carrying case pattern and flesh out the features and details from there.
3. Take Good Measurements
Whether you’re designing a custom carrying case for the market or carrying a specific item, you’ll want to ensure that you take accurate measurements.
You don’t want to get to the end of the cut-and-sew process only to find that your laptop or sale samples don’t fit.
That’s why it’s also essential to consider the case’s construction. You will likely include extra padding if you’re transporting a fragile object, so you’ll need to ensure that the item or items will fit once you have the padding on the sides of the case.
Remember that adding padding to the case walls means that the exterior of the case’s length, width, and height, will be a little different than the interior measurements. Since you’re carrying the item inside the case, now’s the time to check that the internal measures will accommodate your space needs.
4. Select Your Materials and Plan Your Process
Now that you’ve reached this step, it’s time to choose your materials and head to the manufacturing process. Decide if you want plastic, foam, coated fabric, vegan or natural leather, or metal components.
Just like with the design team, you may want to turn to the professionals for textiles, cutting, plastic molding, sewing technology such as thermoforming with multi-layered materials, reinforcing strategies, high-frequency soldering, and metal work that includes casting, machining, and extrusion to result in a top-quality case.
5. Perform Production Testing
Here’s where you get down to creating a custom carrying case.
Production testing is essential to develop a custom case design to sell as a brand on the market.
Do a drop test to check how the case protects fragile items. If quick access is essential, you’ll want to see how fast you can open the case to reach the contents. For example, if you’re creating a first-aid bag, you don’t want to have to undo a lot of straps or latches to access materials in an emergency.
Consider cleanability and how well the case keeps things warm or cold.
Final Thoughts
Getting a plan in place and taking advantage of professional design and manufacturing teams can make a big difference in guiding you through creating a custom, state-of-the-art carrying case from start to finish.
