A dry bag tech pack is the written and illustrated specification that tells a factory exactly what to build, from materials and dimensions to welding, rating and print. A complete tech pack is the single best way to avoid production errors.
People searching for "dry bag tech pack" usually want a direct, practical answer - and this page delivers one. This guide breaks down how to bring a dry bag tech pack to market - OEM versus ODM, the specification and sampling steps, branding and packaging options, and the MOQ and lead time you should plan for. It is written for brands, importers and startups turning an idea into a product.
What a tech pack contains
Include dimensions, material and color, closure, hardware, waterproof rating, print placement, packaging and testing requirements, plus flat technical drawings of every panel.
Why it prevents mistakes
When every detail is written and drawn, the factory cannot guess. Disputes about size, weld or print are settled by the document, not by memory.
Building one properly
Work from the outside in: silhouette, materials, hardware, construction, branding, packaging. Then attach reference photos and the target IPX rating so nothing is open to interpretation.
Design ownership and tooling custody
For a custom dry bag tech pack, design ownership should be explicit in the contract. You own the design you commission; the factory owns its base ODM designs. If you pay for dedicated tooling, ownership or exclusive custody should be documented too.
Protect yourself with an NDA before sharing artwork and a clear clause on exclusivity. Without it, your design or colorway can appear elsewhere, which is especially risky if you are building a brand around a unique product.
Customization options that actually matter
Customization goes beyond a printed logo. On a dry bag tech pack you can change material and thickness, size and shape, closure type, webbing and buckle color, valves, windows, handles and straps, plus woven labels and full retail packaging.
Prioritize changes that affect function and brand perception first - closure, material and logo - then add packaging. Each option has a cost and lead-time impact, so confirm the trade-offs before finalizing the spec.
Printing and branding methods
Screen printing and heat transfer are the most common dry bag tech pack branding methods, while woven labels and embossed buckles add a premium feel. The right method depends on the film, the logo detail and the quantity.
Supply vector artwork in CMYK or Pantone where possible, and approve a printed strike-off or sample before bulk. Colors can shift between film types, so a physical proof is the only reliable way to lock the final look.
Tech pack and specification details
A dry bag tech pack tech pack specifies dimensions, materials, colors, hardware, printing placement and testing requirements. The more precise the pack, the fewer surprises in the sample and the cheaper the final product.
Even a one-page spec is better than a verbal brief. Include tolerances, a Pantone or color reference, and a photo or reference sample so the factory has a concrete target to match.
What to prepare before you request a quote
A factory can quote faster and more accurately when you provide a drawing or reference sample, target material, dimensions, closure type, colors and print placement. A tech pack is ideal but not required for a first estimate.
Include your target quantity and timeline. These two numbers change everything on a dry bag tech pack quote, because material pricing, tooling amortization and freight all scale with volume and speed.
Avoiding costly custom-order mistakes
The biggest mistakes are skipping the sample, changing the spec after tooling, and under-specifying hardware or print placement. Each change after approval adds cost and delay to a dry bag tech pack program.
Also confirm testing requirements up front. If you need REACH or RoHS documents or an IPX test report, state it before production so the factory builds the right materials and documentation into the order.
| Section | Contents |
|---|---|
| Spec | Size, material |
| Construction | Welding, seams |
| Branding | Print, labels |
| Testing | IPX, leak |
| Factor | OEM dry bags | ODM dry bags |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Your design or tech pack | Existing factory design |
| Customization | Full (size, shape, material) | Color, logo, label, packaging |
| MOQ | Typically 500+ pcs | Often 300 pcs to start |
| Lead time | Longer (design + tooling) | Faster |
| Design ownership | Yours | Factory owns base design |
| Unit cost | Higher | Lower |
| Spec item | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Material | TPU / PVC / coated nylon + thickness |
| Size | Liter volume + L x W x H in cm |
| Closure | Roll-top / zipper / clip |
| Hardware | Buckles, D-rings, valve, handles |
| Printing | Method, colors, placement |
| Packaging | Poly bag, hangtag, box, barcode |
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Quote | 1-3 days | Price from your spec |
| Sampling | 6--10 day | Pre-production sample |
| Approval | 1-3 days | Your sign-off |
| Production | 35-50 days | Bulk manufacturing |
| Freight | 3-6 weeks | Sea; 5-10 days air |
| Method | Best for |
|---|---|
| Screen printing | Bold logos, 1-6 colors |
| Heat transfer | Full-color artwork |
| Woven label | Premium, durable branding |
| Embossed hardware | Subtle, high-end feel |
Sample costs and how they are credited
A custom dry bag sample typically costs USD 30-80 per piece depending on complexity, plus USD 15-40 for express courier. The sample fee is usually credited back against the bulk order once you place it.
If the sample requires a new cutting die (for a non-standard shape), the die cost USD 150-400 is separate and is not always credited. Ask up front which fees are refundable.
Order two samples: one for you to test, one to send to your product photographer. Shipping both to different addresses doubles the courier cost but saves a week of back-and-forth.
Bulk lead time broken into stages
Once the golden sample is signed and the deposit is paid, bulk production runs 35-50 days depending on complexity. The first 7-10 days are material sourcing and cutting. The next 15-20 days are high-frequency welding, seam taping and hardware fitting. The final 7-10 days are printing, QC, packing and cartoning.
Sea freight from Xiamen or Shenzhen to the US West Coast adds 14-20 days door-to-door with DDP, to Northern Europe 28-35 days, and to Australia 18-25 days. Express courier (DHL/FedEx) for a 300-500 piece sample shipment adds 5-8 days but at far higher cost. Plan your launch calendar backwards from these numbers, not from the factory's quoted 35 days.
Peak season (August-October for holiday inventory) can push welding lines 10-14 days longer. If you ship in Q4, place the deposit by mid-August at the latest.
Factory capacity and how to judge it from the outside
A dry bag factory doing 200,000 pieces a month typically runs 7 production lines with 130-150 operators and about 140 welding machines. These numbers are checkable from a factory audit report and from the floor plan in the BSCI filing.
Smaller workshops (10-20 machines) can produce 5,000-20,000 pieces a month and may offer better prices for very small MOQs, but their QC is usually less documented. For a first order under 500 pieces, a smaller workshop can be the right fit.
Ask for photos of the welding line and the cutting table. A factory that hides its floor plan is usually hiding a capacity mismatch.
Packaging, carton dimensions and landed cost math
A single 20L roll-top dry bag packs flat into a polybag at roughly 28 x 22 x 4 cm and weighs 380-480 g depending on fabric thickness. A standard export carton holds 40-60 pieces and measures about 55 x 45 x 40 cm at 18-22 kg gross. These numbers drive the sea freight quote.
Landed cost = unit price + inland trucking + export customs + ocean freight + insurance + import duty + DDP clearance + last-mile delivery. For a US importer at a 5,000-piece order this typically adds USD 1.8-3.2 per bag on top of the factory price. For EU importers REACH testing and duty add another USD 1.0-1.8.
Always ask the factory for a CIF quote to your nearest port and a DDP quote to your warehouse side by side. The DDP number is what your accountant actually cares about, and it is easy to underestimate if you only compare FOB prices.
MOQ tiers and how quantity moves unit price
OEM dry bag programs almost always start at MOQ 500 pieces per design per colour, because the factory has to open a fresh roll of fabric, cut a fresh pattern set and reset the welding line for that one SKU. Below 500 units the setup cost is spread too thinly and the per-piece price jumps sharply.
At 500 pieces you are at the entry OEM price. At 1,000 pieces most factories will drop the unit price by 8-14% because cutting, welding and packing all run faster once the line is set. At 3,000-5,000 pieces the discount widens to 15-22%, and above 5,000 pieces material purchasing itself becomes cheaper because the mill sells the roll at a bulk rate. Ask the supplier for a tiered price table at 500 / 1,000 / 3,000 / 5,000 so you can model your own break-even.
A common mistake is locking a 500-piece order when a 1,000-piece order would have landed the unit price low enough to fund a marketing campaign. Work backwards from your sell-through forecast, not from the MOQ itself.
Why a tech pack matters more than a price quote
A price quote without a signed tech pack is a guess. A proper tech pack includes a flat drawing with dimensions in millimetres, fabric specification (weight g/m2, thickness mm, coating type), closure type, hardware SKUs, logo placement with PMS colours, packing details and the approved golden sample reference.
Without this, the factory will default to its cheapest existing construction, and you will discover at sample stage that the fabric is thinner, the strap is shorter and the welds are narrower than you imagined. The rework rounds that follow cost more than the tech pack ever would have.
If you do not have an in-house designer, most factories including the one behind this site will draft the tech pack for you based on a reference bag or a sketch. Chargeable USD 80-200 per design, credited back against the bulk order.
Sampling workflow and realistic turnaround
A pre-production sample for a custom dry bag takes 6-10 working days after the tech pack is approved. The sample goes through the same welding table, the same heat-seal parameters and the same hardware as the bulk run, so it is representative of what you will receive.
Expect to do two to three sample rounds. Round one confirms dimensions, fabric feel and logo placement. Round two adjusts closure, strap length and any custom pockets. Round three is the signed-off golden sample that the bulk production is measured against. Each round adds 4-7 days, so budget 3-4 weeks end to end if you want a fully custom bag.
If you are starting from an ODM stock program, a customised sample (your logo on an existing shape) can ship in 3-5 days. This is the fastest way to test a market before committing to full OEM. For in-house manufacturing capacity, tooling and export documentation, see our affiliated manufacturer.
People also ask
What certifications should I ask a dry bag supplier for?
REACH and RoHS material compliance for the EU, plus a third-party audit such as SGS. Ask for documents rather than verbal assurances, and check the test date.
What is white label dry bags?
White label means buying an unbranded factory design and applying your own brand, packaging and marketing. It is the fastest and lowest-cost route to market.
What printing methods are used on dry bags?
Screen printing, heat transfer, woven labels and embossed or debossed hardware. The best method depends on the material and the logo detail.
How many colors can I print on a dry bag?
Screen printing typically supports 1-6 spot colors. Full-color gradients usually require heat transfer or sublimation, which has material limitations.
What does waterproof mean on a dry bag?
Waterproof means the bag keeps water out under stated conditions. On a dry bag it is usually expressed as an IPX rating such as IPX7 or IPX8, which specifies immersion depth and time.
Does a dry bag factory provide packaging?
Yes. Most OEM/ODM factories provide custom hangtags, retail boxes, poly bags, EAN/UPC barcodes and insert cards as part of private-label service.
Can I put my logo on a dry bag?
Yes. Logos can be screen printed, heat transferred or applied as woven labels, and hardware can be embossed. Provide vector artwork for the cleanest result.
What customization options are available for dry bags?
Materials, colors, sizes, closure hardware, printed logos, woven labels, embossed buckles, windows, valves and custom retail packaging.
Key takeaways
- Choose dry bag tech pack by fixing the activity, size, material and closure before comparing options.
- Verify waterproofing with a stated IPX rating and a real test method, not a label.
- For bulk orders, confirm MOQ, lead time and a pre-production sample before committing.
- Match material to conditions: TPU for cold and UV, PVC for abrasion, coated nylon for weight.
- A physical pre-production sample is the only reliable way to lock material, color and printing.
- Store dry bags loose and shaded, and re-test the seal before trusting them with electronics.
Related guides
- What is a dry bag?
- Dry bag materials: TPU vs PVC vs nylon
- IPX / IP68 waterproof ratings
- Types of dry bags
- OEM dry bags
Step by step
- Decide between OEM (your design) and ODM (an existing design with your branding).
- Prepare a drawing, reference sample, dimensions, material and print placement.
- Confirm design ownership and tooling custody in writing before sampling.
- Approve a physical pre-production sample and any printed strike-off.
- Set the MOQ, lead time and packaging, then release bulk production.
Specification checklist
- Fix the specification first - material, size, closure, printing and packaging - so quotes are comparable.
- Verify waterproofing with a stated IPX rating and a real test method, and confirm the batch sampling plan.
- Order a pre-production sample and approve it before bulk production begins.
- Confirm MOQ, lead time, payment terms and the correct HS code before you commit.
- Match the material to the conditions: TPU for cold and UV, PVC for abrasion, coated nylon for weight.
- Ask for a dated test report and a pre-shipment inspection (AQL) for waterproofing and seams.
- Keep the most valuable items in an inner pouch as a second layer of protection.
- Rinse, dry and store the bag correctly to extend its lifespan season after season.
Bottom line
The bottom line is to match the route to your stage: ODM and private label are the fast, low-risk way to launch a brand, while OEM delivers true differentiation once demand is proven. Own the design in writing, approve a physical sample, and let the specification drive the quote rather than the other way around. For "dry bag tech pack", this is the summary that matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What certifications should I ask a dry bag supplier for?
REACH and RoHS material compliance for the EU, plus a third-party audit such as SGS. Ask for documents rather than verbal assurances, and check the test date.
Q2. What is white label dry bags?
White label means buying an unbranded factory design and applying your own brand, packaging and marketing. It is the fastest and lowest-cost route to market.
Q3. What printing methods are used on dry bags?
Screen printing, heat transfer, woven labels and embossed or debossed hardware. The best method depends on the material and the logo detail.
Q4. How many colors can I print on a dry bag?
Screen printing typically supports 1-6 spot colors. Full-color gradients usually require heat transfer or sublimation, which has material limitations.
Q5. What does waterproof mean on a dry bag?
Waterproof means the bag keeps water out under stated conditions. On a dry bag it is usually expressed as an IPX rating such as IPX7 or IPX8, which specifies immersion depth and time.
Q6. Does a dry bag factory provide packaging?
Yes. Most OEM/ODM factories provide custom hangtags, retail boxes, poly bags, EAN/UPC barcodes and insert cards as part of private-label service.
Q7. Can I put my logo on a dry bag?
Yes. Logos can be screen printed, heat transferred or applied as woven labels, and hardware can be embossed. Provide vector artwork for the cleanest result.
Q8. What customization options are available for dry bags?
Materials, colors, sizes, closure hardware, printed logos, woven labels, embossed buckles, windows, valves and custom retail packaging.
Q9. How much does a custom dry bag cost?
A simple PVC dry bag can cost a few dollars per unit at volume, while a premium TPU bag with custom hardware and printing costs more. Unit price depends on material, size, closure and quantity.
Q10. What is private label vs OEM?
Private label is essentially ODM - you brand an existing product. OEM is a true custom build to your specification. The terms private label and ODM are often used interchangeably.
Q11. What is the HS code for dry bags?
Dry bags generally classify under travel goods or bags headings such as 4202. Confirm the exact 10-digit code with your freight forwarder and the destination customs authority.
Q12. What is a dry bag used for?
A dry bag keeps gear dry during kayaking, boating, camping, fishing, motorcycling, SUP and travel, protecting clothing, electronics, food and sleeping gear.
Q13. How are dry bags made?
The body is cut from waterproof film or coated fabric, seams are welded or taped, hardware is attached, and each bag is leak-tested before shipping.
Q14. What is the MOQ for OEM dry bags?
OEM MOQ is typically higher than ODM because of setup and tooling, commonly 500 pieces or more per design. ODM stock programs can start around 300 pieces.
Q15. What are red flags when choosing a dry bag factory?
Vague or changing MOQ, refusal to describe waterproof testing, no sample option, inflated capacity with no evidence, and slow communication are all warning signs.
Q16. What is the minimum order for private label dry bags?
Private label programs often start around 300 pieces per color using an existing design, while fully custom OEM designs typically require 500 pieces or more.
Q17. What is the difference between a dry bag and a dry sack?
They are the same product. Dry sack is the more common British and outdoor-store term, while dry bag is used more in the US.
Q18. What is RoHS for dry bags?
RoHS restricts hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products. It matters mainly for dry bags with electronic or metal components.
Q19. What is FOB, CIF and DDP?
FOB means the buyer pays freight from the port; CIF includes cost, insurance and freight; DDP means the seller handles duties and delivery to the door.
Q20. How do I clean a dry bag?
Rinse with fresh water, wipe with mild soap, and air-dry fully before storing. Avoid harsh solvents and keep zipper tracks clean of sand.