Loading page
Soft goods in Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most economical choices for soft goods: lowest density of common plastics, about 0.9 g/cm³. On a representative soft case at 1,000 pieces it estimates at about $29.60 per part plus $1,070 tooling, with a lead time of 4–6 weeks. Typical tolerance is ±0.125–0.25 in (±3–6 mm) typical.
- Per part
- $29.60
- Tooling
- $1,070
- Lead time
- 4–6 weeks
Price it in PP
Soft case · Soft goods
Order total $30,954
- Tooling
- $1,070
- one-time, spread over the order
- Piece price
- $29.60
- before setup + tooling
- Lead time
- 4–6 weeks
- to first production
Size
Drag a row to adjust · click to type
Width320320 mm
Height220220 mm
Depth9090 mm
Quantity
Price per part falls as volume rises
Exact quantity10001000 pcs
Material
Design checks pass
Open in builderBudgetary estimate for a representative part. Firm quotes come from principals after drawing review.
PP vs other soft goods materials
The same soft case at 1,000 pieces, priced in every material the process runs. PP is the lowest all-in cost.
| Material | Per part | All-in | Weight | Tensile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polypropylene (PP) | $29.60 | $31.00 | 233 g | 33 MPa |
| High-density polyethylene (HDPE) | $29.60 | $31.00 | 244 g | 26 MPa |
| Neoprene (CR) | $30.50 | $31.80 | 347 g | 14 MPa |
| Polyester 600D | $30.70 | $32.00 | 355 g | — |
| Cordura nylon 1000D | $33.00 | $34.30 | 293 g | — |
PP at a glance
- Tensile strength
- 33 MPa16th pct
- Density
- 0.905 g/cm³0th pct
- Max service temp
- 100 °C10th pct
- Elongation
- 150 %84th pct
- Relative cost
- $$$$$
Bars are relative to the strongest, densest or hottest material in the SSG library. Percentile vs all 48 materials.
Strengths
- Lowest density of common plastics, about 0.9 g/cm³
- Excellent resistance to acids, bases, detergents and most solvents
- Living hinges that survive hundreds of thousands of flexes when designed correctly
- Low cost and fast molding cycles
- Food-contact and medical grades widely available
Watch for
- High shrink, 1.0–2.5%, and warp with uneven walls
- Low surface energy; hard to paint, print or bond without flame or plasma treatment
- Homopolymer turns brittle near 32 °F (0 °C); use impact copolymer for cold service
- Degrades in UV without stabilizer and creeps under sustained load
Finishes for this combination
Soft goods design rules
0.375–0.5 in (10–13 mm)
Allow enough seam allowance
6–10 stitches per inch
Set stitch density
Bartack or box-X stitch every strap and handle attachment
Reinforce load points
About Tex 70 for light fabrics; Tex 135 for heavy webbing and 1000D
Match thread to fabric
0.25–0.5 in (6–13 mm) over the equipment dimensions
Add ease to covers
Stock #5, #8, or #10 zippers and 1–2 in (25–50 mm) webbing
Use standard hardware
Questions
How much does soft goods in PP cost?
For a representative part (sewn soft case 320 mm × 220 mm × 90 mm, 1 zipper(s), 2 handle(s), 1 pocket(s), 6 mm padding), SSG's estimator gives about $29.60 per part at 1,000 pieces, plus about $1,070 one-time tooling. All-in with tooling and setup that is $31.00 per part. It is budgetary; principals quote firm prices from your drawing.
Is PP a good material for soft goods?
It is when you need lowest density of common plastics, about 0.9 g/cm³ and excellent resistance to acids, bases, detergents and most solvents. Watch for high shrink, 1.0–2.5%, and warp with uneven walls. Of 5 materials run in soft goods, it ranks 1 on all-in cost for the same part.
What finishes work on PP soft goods parts?
Common options are spi mold polish (a-1 to d-3), mold texture (mold-tech, vdi). The builder adds each finish's lot charge, per-part cost and days to the estimate.
What tolerance can soft goods hold in PP?
Typical capability is ±0.125–0.25 in (±3–6 mm) typical. Tighter tolerances are possible on called-out features at added cost; specify them on the drawing rather than as a blanket note.
Quote soft goods in PP.
Upload your CAD or start from a template. The DFM check applies the rules above to your geometry.