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Key Considerations When Designing a Custom Soft Case

Published on

April 28, 2025

Soft Sewn Range Bag

Key Considerations When Designing a Custom Soft Case

Soft cases provide a versatile protective solution for storing and transporting equipment. Used across various industries—from medical to industrial, military, and consumer electronics—a good soft case ensures that its contents are secure, organized, and accessible. Designing a custom soft case takes forethought and care. This is not an industry in which one can skimp on either and still expect a good payout in terms of meeting functional requirements and durability.

This post will address the major elements to consider when creating a custom soft case.

Identifying the Purpose of the Case

It is essential to establish the intended use before designing a soft case. Various sectors demand features depending on the case's use.

Equipment Cases for Medical Supplies - Require sections for different types of tools and supplies, often with surfaces that can be quickly sanitized.

Tactical Equipment Cases - Need compartments for organizing a wide array of items, often in a lightweight package. Times of use can range from the field to the office, needing no-visibility interior layouts.

Military and Tactical Cases - Need materials that are durable, with webbing and reinforced stitching for rugged conditions.

Cases for electronic - Must have soft insides or foam blocks that protect the devices from being damaged if dropped.

Tool Cases for Industry - Must have the capacity for the myriads of tool shapes and sizes yet afford quick access.

Defining clearly the case's purpose helps to determine its overall structure, materials, and storage requirements.

1. Selecting the Right Materials

The selection of materials is vitally important for durability, protection, and weight.

Cordura® or ballistic nylon - Made for high durability and abrasion resistance. Most used in tactical and industrial applications.

Polyester - Light and cheap, it is well-suited for cases of a general-purpose nature.

Neoprene - Provides flexibility and water resistance, making it perfect for protective sleeves.

EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) - Offers extra support and safekeeping, commonly found in formations resembling semi-rigid cases.

Canvas -Extremely durable, thick fiber, organic material known for durability and its rough texture. Ideal for military, outdoors, and other areas that require a rugged look and feel.

2. Choices for interior linings:

Soft velvet or microfiber - Protects sensitive surfaces, like the screens of electronics.

Foam Padding - Provides cushioning against impact and can be made to fit precise objects.

Waterproof or Antimicrobial - Useful for applications in medicine and the outdoors.

Material selection must match the case's environmental conditions, weight restrictions, and anticipated abuse.

3. Determining Case Structure and Closure Types

A soft case's structure influences how well it retains its shape and guards its contents.

Softshell Cases - These cases are made of flexible materials that allow them to be lightweight and collapsible for easy storage. They are also highly configurable and accessible.

Semi-Rigid Cases - Include EVA or foam panels to provide extra structure and enhance impact resistance.

Bags with Padding - Use thick layers of foam to cushion fragile instruments.

4. How usability and security come into play with closure mechanisms:

Zippers - Usual and simple to operate but ought to be sturdy and top-notch to endure consistent usage.

Velcro - Allows for fast access but might deteriorate with time.

Clips or Buckles - These are secure and sturdy fasteners, often seen on tactical or heavy-duty cases.

Magnetic Closures - Used in high-end or fashionable consumer cases for easy entry.

5. Storage and Organization Features

An optimally designed soft case should utilize the space well and allow easy access. Think about these organizational elements:

Foam Inserts Custom -Foam cut with precision to protect and secure equipment.

Elastic Straps or Mesh Pockets - Secure accessories and keep them from shifting.

Webbing - Used in military and tactical applications for modular storage.

Dividers and Sections - Aid in the separation of various tools or accessories.

The internal structure needs to be designed to achieve maximum usability, with an emphasis on ensuring that everything inside is securely stored.

6. Portability and Carrying Options

How a soft case is carried affects the user's comfort and convenience. Carrying can be done in several ways:

Standard handle cases - Made primarily for handheld carrying.

Shoulder Straps - Allow for hands-free carrying and are usually adjustable for comfort.

Straps on Backpacks - These are particularly helpful when carrying an especially heavy case; they allow for the even distribution of weight across the back.

Wheels and Handles That Retract - Found on larger cases to enhance mobility.

The correct carrying choice hinges on two main factors: how often the case is moved around and the heft of what’s inside.

7. Custom Branding and Personalization

Cases designed to the user's specifications can be used to display professional or commercial branding. Branding options include:

Logo or Text Addition via Embroidery or Screen Printing - For brand recognition, add logos or text to items.

Unique Colors and Patterns - Align with the branding or aesthetic preferences of any company.

Rubber Patches or Metal Tags - Provide a high-end branding appearance.

The case can have a professional look, and easy ID, if it is personalized.

8. Environmental and Durability Considerations

Depending on where and how the case will be used, certain environmental factors should be considered:

Water protection - Necessary for applications in the outdoors and on the water.

UV Resistance - Assists in preventing the sun's rays from breaking down your material.

Fire Resistance – Needed for industrial, military, first response, or for situational safety.

Antimicrobial Properties - Helpful in the medical and food sectors. Antimicrobial properties are useful in the medical and food sectors.

The case can be designed to withstand certain working conditions, and specific environmental factors considered.

Conclusion

Creating a custom soft case requires careful consideration of several elements. The first is the case's purpose. Next come the materials: what should it be made from? Then the options for storage. The last element to consider is environmental conditions.

Royal Case Company specializes in creating custom soft cases that fulfill the unique demands of specific industry clients. If you need a case that meets not just ordinary but also one-of-a-kind standards, reach out to us to get some details about our capabilities.