If you're looking to start a backpack line, you might be wondering how much does it cost to manufacture backpacks. There are several types of backpacks on the marketplace with several different price points, so the answer to that question might not be obvious.

Based on your demands, backpack manufacturing prices can range from $15 to $100 per piece.  Backpacks for school and workouts would cost no more than $40, but camping and business backpacks may cost up to $80. The most costly bags are military bags, which may cost up to $500 and above.

It isn't easy to offer a precise cost estimate for backpack production. The type of materials used, the design complexity, along with the number of units manufactured determines the cost of a backpack. It turns out that this is complicated and unique to each individual backpack design. Worry not because this blog will help you solve those complications and help you get a proper estimate.

Backpack Cost Breakdown

Backpack costs vary greatly since we want them to perform a wide range of functions. You need to know how much it will cost to manufacture your bag before you can start guessing on a pricing point. It's not as easy as it looks to break down the expense of a backpack. 

It's not simply a question of dollars and cents. You must also factor in external things like effort and time invested in each stage of the backpack production process. There are more aspects to consider within each of these bag levels that influence the wholesale cost of the backpack. 

Materials

Raw materials are the most expensive part of building a backpack. The price varies greatly depending on the type of material. A simple kids' book bag will be considerably cheaper than a high-tech trekking pack made for long journeys in harsh terrain. 

The backpack's materials are determined by its design and purpose. Distinct materials are required for separate parts of a bag. The main compartment, for example, is constructed of a strong-duty nylon fabric (ripstop nylon) that can handle large weights without ripping or puncturing. This nylon comes in various colours and patterns, so this is an excellent place to begin if you want a multicolor bag.

A good starting point for choosing the material is to decide what type of ventilation, durability, and weatherproof properties you want. The materials mentioned below will cost anywhere between $4 to $270 per square foot.

• Nylon - Nylon backpacks are popular among travellers because of their great abrasion resistance, water resistance, high durability, and smoothness. The primary disadvantages of nylon are that it is difficult to recycle and generates static electricity.

• Polyester - It comes with a built tear and folding resistance. It is also robust, light, and inexpensive, making it an excellent choice for students. However, stains are tough to get rid of it.

• Canvas - Canvas is a fabric made of cotton. Backpacks made of canvas have been popular for a long time. Canvas bags are also more robust and tougher than just cotton backpacks due to the stronger weaving.

• Genuine Leather - One of the prevalent materials. Genuine leather comes from goats, cows, and other animals that have been treated and processed. Nevertheless, they are more expensive than other fabrics, and they demand more attention and care to maintain quality, despite being extremely durable, comfy, and fashionable.

• Denim - Made from a distinct type of cotton. They are tough and tear-resistant, and they can last for years while being fashionable.

• EVA - Ethylene-vinyl acetate is combined with other backpack materials. Doing so makes the final material smooth, shiny, and highly water-resistant.

Capacity & Weight

Capacity and weight are other factors. Naturally, if it can hold more things, it will be pricier. And since the weight of your backpack contributes to your overall load, lighter backpacks are frequently more costly. 

The capacity range of backpacks is huge. Small backpacks start from 6-10 litres, while large rucksacks used for expeditions and backpacking can go beyond 50 litres. 

The size and weight of your bag are also crucial considerations. The more materials you use to make it bigger and heavier, the higher your backpack production expenses. A little backpack weighing 3 pounds may cost $4 to make, whereas a large bag weighing 13 pounds might cost $6.

Design & Accessories

Then there's design and accessories. Designs such as frame placements deal with weight dispersion and comfort while carrying.

If there are extra anchors, pouches, or special compartments, the price is bound to increase. Especially if it's a trekking bag with sternum and hip straps. Some even come with a water sleeve. Padding and straps can range from $4 to $15.

Costs also vary depending on what kind of zippers and buckles you will use. The amount of zippers and compartments all impact how much a backpack costs to make. Zippers used in a backpack can range from $3 to $8.

So, in general, the more features and extras a backpack contains, the more expensive it is to manufacture. Inversely, removing redundant elements, on the other hand, will help save money.

Most backpacks are composed of polyester and nylon, two strong textiles that are lightweight and weather-resistant, and inexpensive in bulk. You should invest approximately $10-$15 for the supplies alone if you're aiming to create an average-sized bag for regular usage. This does not include any additional customised features or accessories that can be added later.

If you want to manufacture a larger bag with many chambers, you'll need extra material, which will cost more. Materials for a more oversized bag go from $15 to $20, depending on the size. 

Other External Cost Factors

When you're ready to start a backpack line, you'll need to figure out how much it'll cost to produce your merchandise. Your budgeting should not only cover the cost of bag manufacture. It should also include other expenditures involved with your business, such as storage, shipping charges, labour costs, etc.

Design

Nowadays, bags range from simple drawstring bags to bigger backpacks with several pockets for books and gadgets. Because simpler bags contain fewer components than more complex designs, they are less expensive. The ultimate cost of manufacturing will depend on the design's intricacy. For example:

• Drawstring bags - Number of colours used in design, fabric, or material used (cotton is less expensive than nylon), and whether there's embroidery or screen printing.

• Laptop backpacks - Amount of padding in a bag, number of compartments, whether they're waterproof or water-resistant if they're anti-theft or not, whether they include charging ports or USB ports, and what type of material they're made out of (nylon is more expensive than cotton).

Bulk Orders & Labour Cost

Ordering in bulk is always a good idea for businesses to cut costs. If a large quantity of backpacks is ordered, manufacturers may be able to offer discounts.

However, as a starter, you might be looking to try around and thus can't afford to order 1000 pieces at a time—nothing to worry about because we allow as low as 100 orders.

The second most expensive item is labour, sewing all of the materials together. The degree of automation employed in the manufacturing process and the cost of labour all have a role.

Conclusion

The design and materials used are crucial when it comes to a backpack. As a general rule, the more complicated your design becomes, the more manufacturing costs go up.

Whether you're a first-time backpacker or a backpack business owner, by now, you know how much does it cost to manufacture backpacks.

It's okay if you're still unclear about some things. Contact us, and we'll walk you through all of your options and price information. Being an industry leader, we have all the necessary facilities to get your leather products produced at the cheapest prices possible.