SewLab USA
SewLab USA is a Baltimore-based manufacturer that designs, sews, and sells customizable soft goods — backpacks, totes, dopp kits, and accessories — primarily from upcycled vinyl banners and other sustainably sourced materials, serving both individual DTC consumers via Shopify and B2B clients through custom design services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersBaltimore, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What SewLab USA does
SewLab USA is a Baltimore, Maryland-based manufacturing company that designs and produces customizable soft goods, including backpacks, tote bags, dopp kits, duffles, accessories, and a small apparel line. Its core technology is conventional industrial sewing combined with a distinctive upcycling process that converts donated vinyl banners from Baltimore-area institutions (Inner Harbor businesses, Baltimore Metro, National Aquarium, Baltimore Library, University of Maryland, Tree Baltimore) into unique, one-of-a-kind products such as the Vinyl Banner Collection and Banner Scout Pack. The company also operates a Hawaiian Collection made from upcycled vintage shirts, and works with materials including 15oz cotton duck canvas, 1000D Cordura, waxed canvas, leather accents, and YKK hardware.
The business operates two revenue streams: direct-to-consumer product sales through a Shopify e-commerce storefront with unit pricing ranging from $8 to $98, and a custom design and manufacturing service that delivers bespoke soft goods to enterprise and institutional clients such as Coca-Cola, Velo Orange, Patriot Home Healthcare, University of Maryland, and the National Aquarium. The model is project-based and one-time-purchase, with an emerging wholesale tier for canvas totes. Distribution is domestic only, anchored in the Baltimore facility at 439 E Preston St, with no physical retail footprint. The company also runs a 12-week workforce development training program in partnership with Made In Baltimore and Open Works to build a pipeline of industrial sewers.
The operating model is best characterized as a small-scale, community-anchored manufacturer with a sustainability-driven brand. The company is privately held with no disclosed funding beyond a $0 Baltimore Development Corporation event recorded in April 2020, no disclosed leadership team, and a customer base that mixes episodic B2B custom projects with a long tail of low-value DTC transactions. Headcount is reported at 11–50 employees, consistent with the scope of operations described.
SewLab USA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SewLab USA
- Website
- https://sewlabusa.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SewLab USA is a Baltimore-based manufacturer that designs, sews, and sells customizable soft goods — backpacks, totes, dopp kits, and accessories — primarily from upcycled vinyl banners and other sustainably sourced materials, serving both individual DTC consumers via Shopify and B2B clients through custom design services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SewLab USA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Custom Soft Goods Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Cut and Sew Apparel Contractors (31521), Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (3152)
- SIC
- Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sports, Outdoor & Adventure Packs Manufacturing (Backpacks/Duffels) (IMAOAHAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Outdoor Travel Gear (Duffels, Packs, Dry Bags) Retail (CRAMAAAI)
Keywords
Where SewLab USA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Baltimore
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
SewLab USA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Product Sales (E-commerce): Direct-to-consumer sales of pre-designed soft goods including backpacks, tote bags, dopp kits, fanny packs, apparel, and accessories through their Shopify e-commerce platform. All products are manufactured in Baltimore, MD.
- Custom Design Manufacturing: Bespoke custom design and manufacturing services for businesses and organizations. Projects include handlebar bags, healthcare bags, co-branded products, and custom tool bags for clients such as Velo Orange, Coca-Cola, and various Baltimore institutions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard retail pricing for individual consumers |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Wholesale pricing for bulk orders |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
SewLab USA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SewLab USA is a Baltimore-based manufacturer that designs, produces, and sells customizable soft goods — including backpacks, tote bags, dopp kits, duffles, fanny packs, apparel, and accessories — made from sustainably sourced materials such as 15oz canvas, 1000D Cordura, waxed canvas, and upcycled vinyl banners donated by Baltimore-area businesses. The company sells standardized products through its own Shopify e-commerce storefront and offers custom design, engineering, prototyping, and manufacturing services to business and institutional clients.
Product overview
SewLab USA is a Baltimore-based manufacturing company that creates unique, customizable soft goods proudly made in America. The product portfolio centers on a diverse range of bags and accessories, including backpacks (Scout Pack, Banner Scout Pack, Library Banner Scout Pack, Beach Bum Backpack, Canvas Mini Backpack, Nylon Mini Backpack, Kletter Pack, Mini Scout Pack), tote bags (Base Camp Tote, Banner Tote Bag, Small Canvas Tote, Growler Tote, Waxed Canvas Reversible Tote, Upcycled Sign Log Carrier), dopp kits (Camo Dopp Kit, Classic Dopp Kit, Waxed Canvas Dopp Kit), accessories (Canvas Insider, Mini Tool Bag, Luggage Tag, Vinyl Covers, ID/Badge Holders), fanny packs (Hawaiian Fanny Pack), apparel (SewLab USA Hoodie, Crew, Zipup Hoodie), and duffle bags (Weekender). Products feature sustainable materials including upcycled vinyl banners from Baltimore businesses, recycled canvas, and waxed canvas. The company offers two main collections: Vinyl Banner Collection (products made from upcycled Baltimore vinyl banners) and Hawaiian Collection (products from vintage Hawaiian shirts). Custom design services are available for bespoke soft goods solutions. The company also runs a workforce development training program in partnership with Made In Baltimore and Open Works.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Scout Pack (Canvas Backpack) Canvas backpack with leather buckle fastener and interior laptop sleeve that fits a 13-inch laptop, featuring a spacious interior and zippered pocket inside the flap. Sold to individual consumers through the SewLab USA Shopify storefront.
- Banner Scout Pack Backpack made from upcycled vinyl signs donated from Baltimore's Inner Harbor combined with a 15oz canvas body. Sold to individual consumers as a one-of-a-kind sustainability-themed bag.
- Library Banner Scout Pack Backpack made from upcycled vinyl signs donated from the Baltimore Library, featuring children's book character designs and an interior laptop sleeve for 13-inch laptops. Sold to individual consumers.
- Beach Bum Backpack Drawstring backpack made from 15oz canvas or 10oz waxed canvas with adjustable straps and a large main compartment fitting a 13-inch laptop. Sold to individual consumers.
- Canvas Mini Backpack Mini backpack made from natural 15oz canvas with green canvas side panels, available in natural and waxed-canvas variants and suitable for personalization with paint markers or patches. Sold to individual consumers.
- Nylon Mini Backpack Extra small mini backpack made from 400D nylon pack cloth with YKK zipper, available in multiple colors. Sold to individual consumers.
- Kletter Pack Classic drawstring backpack made from weather-resistant 400D pack cloth with a drawstring closure, top flap, and interior pocket. Sold to individual consumers.
- Mini Scout Pack Smaller version of the Scout Pack with leather and metal buckle fastener, interior zippered pocket, and two exterior pockets. Sold to individual consumers.
- Mini Banner Scout Pack Mini backpack made from upcycled vinyl signs donated from Baltimore's Inner Harbor, combined with a 15oz canvas body. Sold to individual consumers.
- Mini MD TREE Banner Scout Pack Mini backpack made from upcycled vinyl signs donated from Tree Baltimore, featuring a 15oz canvas body. Sold to individual consumers.
- Base Camp Tote Adventure tote bag constructed of Phifertex mesh with a 1000D Cordura bottom, multiple pockets, and an adjustable shoulder strap. Priced at $98 and sold to individual consumers.
- Banner Tote Bag Tote bag made from upcycled vinyl signs donated from Baltimore's Inner Harbor, featuring thick 15oz canvas and upcycled vinyl. Sold to individual consumers starting at $42.
- Small Canvas Tote Compact tote bag made from #10 (15oz) Cotton Duck, measuring 13 by 12 by 3 inches for everyday carrying. Sold to individual consumers and available at wholesale pricing for bulk orders.
- Growler Tote Single growler carrier made from durable canvas with woven strap, available in camo patterned cloth and waxed canvas. Sold to individual consumers.
- Waxed Canvas Reversible Tote Reversible tote bag featuring olive waxed canvas on one side and classic black on the other, providing two bags in one with interior/exterior pocket. Sold to individual consumers.
- Upcycled Sign Log Carrier Log carrier made from upcycled vinyl signs with handles made from 2-inch resin treated USA nylon mil-spec webbing. Sold to individual consumers.
- Upcycled Sign Shoulder Bag Shoulder bag made from upcycled vinyl signs from various Baltimore locations, featuring an adjustable nylon webbing crossbody strap. Priced at $68.
- Banner Shoulder Bag Shoulder bag made from upcycled vinyl signs from Baltimore's Inner Harbor, City Forest Division, and University of Maryland, with an adjustable crossbody strap. Priced at $68.
- Upcycled Mesh Vinyl / Solid Vinyl Tote Tote featuring two types of upcycled vinyl signs with a front pocket and snap hook on the inside. Sold to individual consumers.
- Camo Dopp Kit Dopp kit made from 1000D Cordura cloth with tear-resistant packcloth lining and a black nylon YKK zipper. Sold to individual consumers.
- Classic Dopp Kit Standard dopp kit made from 15oz canvas with a durable nylon webbing handle and main interior compartment. Sold to individual consumers.
- Waxed Canvas Dopp Kit Dopp kit made from 15oz waxed canvas with a YKK zipper, featuring water- and dirt-resistant properties. Sold to individual consumers.
- Canvas Insider Zippered pouch made from 15oz canvas or 10oz waxed canvas with a YKK zipper, designed for organizing small items like sunglasses, cameras, and phones. Sold to individual consumers.
- Mini Tool Bag Mini zip pouch made from USA-loomed 1000D Cordura, measuring 5 by 7 inches, suitable for cell phones, keys, makeup, or small tools. Sold to individual consumers.
- Luggage Tag Luggage tag made from upcycled vinyl signs featuring a window flap for discretion and different color choices of shock cord. Priced at $8.
- Vinyl Covers - Inner Harbor Vinyl passport and notebook cover made from upcycled banners donated by Baltimore Inner Harbor businesses, featuring pockets and reinforced stitching. Priced at $11.
- Vinyl Covers - National Aquarium Vinyl passport and notebook cover made from upcycled banners donated by the Baltimore National Aquarium, featuring aquatic life designs. Priced at $11.
- ID/Badge Holder - Vinyl ID and badge holder made from upcycled vinyl signs with a clear vinyl window and adjustable cord. Priced at $16.
- ID/Badge Holder - Leather Black leather ID and badge holder with a clear vinyl window and adjustable cord. Priced at $18.
- Hawaiian Fanny Pack + Hat Fanny pack upcycled from vintage Hawaiian t-shirts, sold with a matching baseball cap, featuring an adjustable strap that functions as a classic fanny pack or crossbody bag. Sold to individual consumers.
- Weekender Duffle Bag Travel duffle bag made from duck canvas with leather accents, featuring a reinforced soft-wrapped handle, high storage capacity, and quick access pockets. Sold to individual consumers.
- SewLab USA Hoodie (and Crew / Zip-Up variants) Medium- and heavy-weight cotton hoodies and crew necks with SewLab USA prints, sourced from Independent Trading Co in 100% cotton (graphic design by Studio Cornelius for the crew). Sold to individual consumers at $38-$48.
- Vinyl Banner Collection Curated collection of products (totes, backpacks, covers, accessories) made from upcycled vinyl banners donated by Baltimore Metro, Inner Harbor restaurants and shops, and other Baltimore businesses. Sold to individual consumers through the Shopify storefront.
- Hawaiian Collection Collection of products (fanny packs, hats, dopp kits) made from upcycled vintage Hawaiian t-shirts. Sold to individual consumers through the Shopify storefront.
- Custom Design & Manufacturing Service Full-service custom design, engineering, prototyping, and testing offering for creating unique soft goods solutions for business and institutional customers. Past projects include custom handlebar bags for Velo Orange, healthcare bags for Patriot Home Healthcare, branded tool bags for Coca-Cola, and co-branded duffles for Treason Toting Co / PF Flyers.
- Workforce Development Training Program 12-week industrial sewing and machine operator training program created in partnership with Made In Baltimore and Open Works to build a skilled local workforce pipeline; the program includes soft and hard skills training, site visits, temporary placements, and culminates in a product run for a local client.
Companies that use SewLab USA
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
SewLab USA technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
SewLab USA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered notable, minor and core.
- Velo OrangenotableCustom handlebar bag design and manufacturing partnership. SewLab USA created bespoke front handlebar bags for Velo Orange's Grand Cru line of bicycle accessories.
- Patriot Home HealthcarenotableCustom healthcare bag design and manufacturing for Patriot Home Healthcare, demonstrating capability in specialized bag solutions for healthcare industry.
- Treason Toting Co / PF FlyersnotableCo-branded duffle bag products with Treason Toting Co and PF Flyers, creating joint products sold through partner channels.
- Hold FastminorCustom backpack design and manufacturing for Hold Fast, featuring unique design elements and custom specifications.
- HowlminorCustom canvas tote bag design collaboration with Howl.
- Coca-ColanotableCustom canvas tool bags produced for Coca-Cola, demonstrating enterprise-scale custom manufacturing capability.
- DiscommonminorCustom leather watch travel wallet design and manufacturing, showcasing leather working capabilities alongside canvas goods.
- Write Notepads and Co.minorFellow Baltimore-based company partnership. First 60 customers purchasing vinyl covers receive a free Write Notepads notebook that fits perfectly inside the covers. Cross-promotional collaboration supporting local small businesses.
- Made In BaltimorecorePartner organization supporting Baltimore-based manufacturing. SewLab USA partnered with Made In Baltimore and Open Works to create a workforce development program for industrial sewers and machine operators.
- Open WorkscoreBaltimore makerspace and workforce development organization. Partnered to create a 12-week training program to meet growing demand for skilled industrial sewers and machine operators in the Baltimore area. The program includes soft and hard skills training, site visits, temporary placements, and culminates in a product run for a local client.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights4 records
SewLab USA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Duluth Pack: Minnesota-based heritage canvas bag maker with made-in-USA manufacturing, custom monogramming, and a DTC catalog of backpacks, totes, and outdoor packs. Closely aligned with SewLab's made-in-USA canvas goods and customization capabilities.
- Cotopaxi: Salt Lake City-based outdoor brand built on a sustainability and "Questival" reuse/repurpose narrative, selling bags, packs, and apparel. The most direct comparability to SewLab's upcycling-plus-DTC model, though Cotopaxi operates at significantly greater scale.
- Mission Workshop: San Francisco maker of technical, made-in-USA bags, packs, and apparel with a customization and limited-edition drop model. Highly comparable to SewLab's US-made, technical-fabric, small-batch positioning and custom design services.
- Timbuk2: San Francisco-based custom bag and backpack manufacturer with a strong B2B custom-program business and DTC e-commerce presence. Directly comparable to SewLab USA's mix of bespoke manufacturing for enterprises (Coca-Cola, Velo Orange) and a branded direct-to-consumer bag catalog.
- Baggu: New York-based reusable bag and accessories brand with a strong sustainability narrative and DTC e-commerce distribution. Comparable to SewLab USA in the sustainability-led soft goods category, although Baggu's reusable-bag focus is narrower.
- Topo Designs: Colorado-based lifestyle/outdoor bag and apparel brand selling backpacks, totes, and accessories through DTC and wholesale. Closely mirrors SewLab's DTC-first soft goods business with an outdoor/urban aesthetic and a similar price band.
Broad incumbents
- Filson: Heritage American outdoor brand with made-in-USA bags, packs, and apparel across rugged canvas and tin cloth. Adjacent to SewLab's US-made canvas backpack/tote line, though Filson operates with a much larger catalog and wholesale footprint.
- Herschel Supply Co. Global lifestyle backpacks, bags, and accessories brand with broad retail distribution. Operates in the same product categories as SewLab USA (backpacks, totes, dopp kits) but at a vastly larger scale and with mass-market positioning.
- Fjällräven: Swedish heritage outdoor brand specializing in backpacks (Kånken) and travel bags, sold globally. Comparable product category to SewLab's outdoor packs business but operates as a broad incumbent with much deeper distribution.
Emerging players
- State Bags: New York-based DTC bags, backpacks, and accessories brand with a social mission component. Comparable in channel mix (DTC e-commerce, similar price points) and customer overlap to SewLab's consumer soft goods business.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
SewLab USA social profiles
Digital presenceSewLab USA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SewLab USA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
SewLab USA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SewLab USA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SewLab USA
What does SewLab USA do?
SewLab USA is a Baltimore-based manufacturer that designs, produces, and sells customizable soft goods — including backpacks, tote bags, dopp kits, duffles, fanny packs, apparel, and accessories — made from sustainably sourced materials such as 15oz canvas, 1000D Cordura, waxed canvas, and upcycled vinyl banners donated by Baltimore-area businesses. The company sells standardized products through its own Shopify e-commerce storefront and offers custom design, engineering, prototyping, and manufacturing services to business and institutional clients.
Is SewLab USA a public or private company?
SewLab USA is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was SewLab USA founded?
SewLab USA was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SewLab USA based?
SewLab USA is headquartered in Baltimore, United States, in the North America region.
How does SewLab USA make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Product Sales (E-commerce) is the primary driver. The others are custom Design Manufacturing.
Who are SewLab USA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Duluth Pack, Cotopaxi, Mission Workshop, Timbuk2, Baggu and Topo Designs. Broad incumbents are Filson, Herschel Supply Co. and Fjällräven. State Bags is listed as an emerging player.
Does SewLab USA have an API?
No public API is recorded for SewLab USA.
What industry is SewLab USA in?
SewLab USA's product category is Custom Soft Goods Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAOAHAE, Sports, Outdoor & Adventure Packs Manufacturing (Backpacks/Duffels), with a secondary code of CRAMAAAI, Outdoor Travel Gear (Duffels, Packs, Dry Bags) Retail. Its NAICS code is 31521 and its SIC code is 2300.