Fatma Bashir made Tobias a sturdy, thoughtful backpack that keeps his ideas organized and easy to carry as he builds something new. What's your wish? →
View material & custom-made details
This Custom Canvas Backpack for 3 Idea Boards was developed with Fatma Bashir as a large-format carrying solution for transporting three whiteboards in one bag. The finished prototype is a useful example for anyone exploring a robust custom backpack for presentation boards, teaching materials or other oversized flat items.
- Request: The project started as a test run for a durable backpack-style bag that could hold a set of three idea boards with an internal depth of about 15 cm, while staying plain, practical and easy to carry.
- Final result: The completed bag was made in army green canvas with a top zipper opening, a simplified construction and side handles that help support the long format during transport.
- Design details: Heavy-duty zips, lining, strapping and reinforced structural elements were used, while the base was updated with micro padding and protective bottom stands to improve stability and wear resistance.
- Fit and use: This custom format was planned for oversized flat contents rather than everyday backpack use, with carrying options designed to keep weight better balanced when the bag is worn or lifted from the side.
- Process: A prototype was completed first, then refined after testing, and the finished bag received very positive feedback for workmanship, material choice and how accurately the original drawings were translated into a working item.
Every unique piece tells a story. What’s yours?
This design was custom-made exclusively for Tobias. Let it inspire you: customize this design to fit your vision or start with a completely new idea. You chat directly with our artisans, and we handle the secure process.
A request by Tobias from Wittighausen, Germany
Hello, we are looking for backpack bags for our products (sets)…. please have a look at http://www.imsinne.com
Enclosed I send a drawing for 1 set, but we need possibly 3 different bags.
The material can be a truck tarpaulin or similar robust material. Please ask for suggestions what makes sense.
Quantities are still small… we are just testing and building our shop.
Tobias
The Journey of Creating Custom Canvas Backpack for 3 Idea Boards
Negotiation & Planning
Custom Canvas Backpack for 3 Idea Boards - design ideas and artisan proposals
Dear Tobias,
Greetings, I am happy to provide an offer for your idea. I have studied the diagrams and I have understood what you are looking for, However If you can please let me know the measurements are in inches or is it 1.9 meters and 0.6 meters? (900 and 1600), this will help to understand what kind of material (strength) I am to find - Either Truck Tarpaulin or Canvas should work well, but the size of the item is also important so that I can work out the meters needed.I look forward to working with you to realize this project.
regards
Fatma
18 Jan 2021 6:35 pm: Tobias
Hi Fatima,
Thank you very much for your comment. They are measurements in mm! So not inches!
Thanks
Dear Tobias
Greetings. Thanks for your quick response. So for now I am going to look it the materials and then we give you suggestions and also pricing. Last year a few shops have closed because of the pandemic effect on business so it is not possible to assume I shall find tarpaulin or canvas at the usual place. So please give me to Saturday to find all options and then will share my ideas and materials and price with you for your comment. Please reply to this message so I can reply on Saturday.
Thanks
Fatma
19 Jan 2021 7:23 pm: Tobias
Fine with me. Please also offer alternative materials
Dear Tobias
I would like one small confirmation what is the exact thickness of the whiteboard? I am trying to confirm the size of the bag again so I make the necessary allowance ?
Regards
Fatma
31 Jan 2021 6:23 pm: Tobias
Hi, please take the following inner dimension 15 cm for 3 idea boards.
Is this sufficient?
Hi Tobias
Trust well. Sorry I will be a bit slow to respond this week,I have a pressing issue I am looking after. I have found the following three materials for your consideration. One is a black mesh very tough. The other is canvas ( green and safari brown) and the last one is ripstop (beige) material. All these are durable but have different costs. I am also thinking of using African print as trim on the outside of the backpacks to make it unique so I have put two prints for you the handles can be in leather . Kindly advise the material you like so I can give you the price of the materials and then the labour.
Regards
Fatma
02 Feb 2021 4:48 pm: Tobias
Hi Fatma,
Take your time, there is no rush. I need to be sure which material I like better first.
My tendency is canvas but anthracite or black.
I can't imagine black mesh.
Please don't be angry with me if there are no African prints. For this bag I would like it to be very plain.
What is the cheapest material?
Thanks for your efforts
Tobias
Hi Tobias
How are you? Thank you very much for your patience. I have to say that canvas is either army green or beige. And for canvas there are two types and prices are as follows. Canvas medium(CC3 ) 8 Euros per metre, heavy (CC4) 10.3 Euros per metre. For each bag we shall need 4 metres per bag. Then of course other items such as leather for the handles, sponge and lining.zips.
, Magnetic buttons and findings.
The other material I had proposed Meshnet is 7 euros per metre and ripstop is 13 euros per metre and is the strongest one.
Let me know.
Regards
Fatma
06 Feb 2021 11:46 am: Tobias
Hi Fatma,
I think we should try The Canvas means CC3. Then we can see if it is strong enough. Please use Arrmee green.
If you could protect the bottom a little bit at the corners that would be good. Because I think you put it on the edges and they should be a bit stiffer and more protected. There you can take something more robust. I am very curious.
Do you have any questions?
Something else: you should absolutely 20-25 kg with the belts can carry. so please also pay attention.
Best regards
Tobias
Dear Tobias,
Greetings, thank you for your message. I have put together the costs for ONE bag only so that we make one and then from there we can make the second one. I hope that is acceptable?
The materials we shall now need is as follows:
1. Canvas CC3 - 24 Euros
2. Zips - 1.7 euros heavy duty
3. Sliders - 0.5 euros
4. Lining - 12 euros ( 4 metres)
5. Leather for sides, bottom and top of handle - 15 euros
6. Strapping- 1.9 euros
7. Soft board- 0.9 euros
8. Magnetic buttons, D rings - 1.9 euros
9. Labour - 60 euros (almost 3 days work)
I have decided to break it down this way so the cost is understood
So if this is okay we can proceed.
Let me know
Regards
Fatma
Dear Tobias
Greetings, on the above submission one mistake - the cost for the zips is 9 euros. Other the breakdown above remains.
Regards
Fatma
Dear Tobias,
Greetings, I have noted the weight of 20-25kgs and have given the offer for one bag below.
Regards
Fatma
16 Feb 2021 7:32 pm: Tobias
Thanks, I need a few more days as I have other projects.... please be patient a little longer. We will do this for sure.
Dear Tobias
This is noted. Thanks
Regards
Fatma
22 Feb 2021 2:33 pm: Tobias
Hi Fatma, enclosed small change. See new picture.
The bag has become easier now... Has no overlap and instead a zipper at the top.
Side pockets can be held very easily.
Thanks
Tobias
Dear Tobias
Greetings, I have noted your comments.
Kind regards
Fatma
Crafting Process
How to make a Custom Canvas Backpack for 3 Idea Boards – work in progress
Thank you Tobias
I shall commence next week and share with you images
Regards
Fatma
05 Mar 2021 8:59 am: Tobias
I'm looking forward to...
Thanks
Hi Tobias
How are you? I have finished the prototype and have seen the areas where I should make some adjustment. For example the bottom we shall use micro padding and put stands at the bottom of the bag. (Not leather as suggested earlier) Also given the size of the bag I am thinking of changing the straps. I put one long one over the bag but use straps like for handbags on the sides. This may give it some stability.
I shall share finished product Tuesday or Wednesday ready for shipment.
Kind regards
Fatma
08 Mar 2021 9:40 am: Tobias
Thanks for the pics and your helpers 😉 It almost looks like the men caught a fish.
I like your changes or adjustments very much.
Remember that you can carry 15 kg on the right or left shoulder well balanced.
Looking forward to seeing the product.
Please take another picture of you and the bag....
Thanks
Tobias
Dear Tobias
Greetings I trust well. I have really tried to take photos of the bag but it’s too long so not getting good photos. However it is finished and now ready to be sent. Thanks
Fatma
11 Mar 2021 9:28 pm: Tobias
Thank you and I look forward to seeing the results. Tobias
Final Delivery – The Completed Piece in Photos
Customer Photos After Delivery
The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade
Reference: ON001474E-21909
Cost structure of this project
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Cost of material |
58.04
|
| Cost of labour |
38.69
|
| Cost of packaging |
6.19
|
| Local Transport to photoshoot and parcel drop-off |
4.64
|
| Subtotal – payout to artisan |
107.56
|
| Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.) |
10.76
|
| Handling fee Urban Change Lab |
10.76
|
| Total (excluding shipping & taxes) |
129.08
|
- Secure: Transparent ordering & approval
- Personal: We support you at every step
- Fair: Direct local value creation in Kenya
Note on shipping & taxes
The cost breakdown above shows how the value of this individual project is composed.
Shipping costs and any applicable taxes (e.g. VAT) depend on the delivery country and the specific setup and are therefore not shown as fixed amounts here.
All additional costs are communicated transparently before placing a binding order.
If you have any questions, you will find our contact details further down this page.
