Begin with the job the bag must do
“A custom backpack” describes a category, not a production requirement. State who uses it, what it carries and which failures would make it unsuitable. A commuter laptop bag needs a device compartment and comfortable carry; an insulated lunch bag needs a defined opening, lining and cleaning expectation. This use case tells the factory which construction questions to ask before discussing decoration.
If you have a reference model, link it from the product range and list changes. A marked-up photo often communicates pocket positions better than a long paragraph. Label each note as must match, preferred or open to factory suggestion.
The eight inputs that change the quote
- Size and capacity: Give overall dimensions, target contents and device or bottle sizes. These affect patterns, material consumption and layout.
- Construction: Identify pockets, closures, handles, straps, padding and reinforcement points. These change sewing operations and component count.
- Material direction: Supply a fabric reference, lining, coating, color and hand feel—or say which are undecided. Material availability affects price, minimums and timing.
- Branding: Send a logo file with size, position, colors and acceptable methods. Printing, embroidery, patches and metal trim have different setup needs.
- Quantity: Separate total units from units per color or configuration. A mixed order may have a different practical minimum.
- Market: Name the destination country and any buyer testing or labeling standard. Evidence must be planned for the actual materials and intended market.
- Packing: Specify individual wrap, labels, barcodes, cartons and retail presentation.
- Timing: Separate target sample-approval date from required delivery date. Sampling, material confirmation and bulk production are different stages.
Ask for the quotation assumptions, not only a unit price
Two prices are comparable only if they cover the same product. Ask the supplier to state the material specification, logo method, hardware level, packing method, quantity per color, sample charge and what the unit price excludes. For an early concept, request one base route and one alternative rather than pretending the specification is final.
Our current reference pages show a starting MOQ of 300 pieces per confirmed configuration. This is a planning reference, not a promise for every material or color split. A custom component can carry its own supplier minimum. The typical 15–20-day bulk production reference is confirmed only after sample approval, material review and order acceptance.
Normalize two quotes before comparing price
Copy these fields into two columns, one for each supplier. Leave an empty cell visibly marked not confirmed rather than silently treating it as included.
- Product basis: Version of drawing or reference sample, finished dimensions and tolerance agreement.
- Materials: Face fabric, lining, foam, webbing, zipper and hardware grade; note any equivalent proposed by the supplier.
- Decoration: Logo method, position, size, color count, tooling or setup charge.
- Order split: Total quantity, pieces per color, packaging variant and size variant; confirm whether the MOQ applies to each split.
- Commercial basis: Unit price currency, sample fee, tooling fee, packing cost and shipping term. A low unit price with separate artwork or carton costs is not directly comparable.
- Calendar basis: Time to first sample, revision time, material procurement and bulk lead time after written approval. Ask which dates are estimates and which can be committed.
- Evidence: Who arranges any required test, which components are tested, who pays, and whether a failed test triggers a material change or another sample.
For example, a request for 600 units in two colors is not automatically equivalent to one 600-unit configuration. Ask whether the 300-piece starting MOQ applies per color and whether the same material and hardware are shared. That one question can change both price and schedule without changing the total piece count.
Freeze one approval reference before bulk work
Keep the approved physical sample together with a written specification. Record dimensions and tolerances, material and color references, artwork placement, hardware choices, carton markings and any test requirement. If feedback comes from several people, combine it into one numbered comment sheet. Then each revision can be checked against one decision record.
During production, checkpoints should cover incoming materials, the first construction output, work in progress, finished function and packing. See the six-stage quality path for the process described on this site.
Make the sample review measurable
- Lay the sample beside the agreed drawing and record actual width, height and depth at the same points; agree tolerances before bulk production.
- Put the intended laptop, bottle or contents inside. Check the opening, usable compartment space, weight distribution and access while worn or carried.
- Inspect the inside and outside: seam alignment, loose threads, exposed edges, zipper travel, strap attachment, logo position and color in consistent light.
- Photograph every requested change with a number and one owner. Mark each item accept, revise or factory to advise; avoid conflicting comments in separate chat threads.
- Reconfirm any changed material or trim against the test plan. A sample approval for appearance does not automatically approve a different fabric or component for compliance.
A concise inquiry you can copy
- Subject: Custom [bag type] quote — [quantity] pieces — [destination market]
- Reference: Link or photo, with changes marked as must-have or optional
- Product: Use, dimensions, contents, pockets, straps, closure and lining
- Appearance: Material, color, logo file and position, packing
- Commercial: Quantity per color, sample requirement and target delivery date
- Open questions: Material alternatives, testing and details needing factory advice
Send the brief through the inquiry form. If some fields are undecided, say so explicitly so the factory can separate assumptions from confirmed requirements.