From LABUBU to Your Backpack: Unlock Endless Possibilities in Vinyl Toy IP Customization

LABUBU, a character from Pop Mart, has evolved from a collectible vinyl toy into a fashion statement, inspiring custom bag designs. Here’s why LABUBU-themed bags are making waves and how brands can create them:

Popularity: LABUBU has a global fan base, with Pop Mart reporting $1.81 billion in revenue (2024), driven by its appeal. Rare figures resell for over $1,000.
Benefits: LABUBU-themed bags combine style and function, attract collectors and fashion enthusiasts, and enable higher price points.
Customization: Options include embroidered patches, printed designs, 3D features, and detachable charms.
Licensing: Secure IP rights from Pop Mart to avoid legal risks.
Market Trends: U.S. consumers prioritize sustainability, versatility, and personalization in bags.
Regulations: Comply with U.S. safety standards, especially for children’s products.

LABUBU-themed bags merge creativity and practicality, appealing to diverse audiences while leveraging a beloved character’s charm.

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How the Customization Process Works

Turning LABUBU into a custom bag design involves securing proper licensing, selecting the right materials and features, and adhering to U.S. regulations. Each step is vital in creating a high-quality, legally compliant product that resonates with American consumers. Below, we’ll break down the process into licensing, material and design choices, and compliance requirements.

Getting IP Licensing for LABUBU

Before using LABUBU, you need approval from Pop Mart to avoid intellectual property infringement. Pop Mart takes its IP rights seriously, as demonstrated by a 2024 warning issued in Singapore against unauthorized use.

The process starts by reaching out to Pop Mart’s IP licensing division. Emily Brough, head of IP licensing for the Americas, can guide you through their requirements and expectations. You’ll likely need to provide details about your project, including intended use, target audience, production quantities, and distribution plans.

Pop Mart carefully evaluates potential partners to ensure they align with LABUBU’s brand values. They favor collaborations that enhance the character’s charm while maintaining its unique aesthetic. Licensing agreements typically outline usage rules, quality benchmarks, royalty structures, and geographic limitations.

Be prepared for upfront fees and ongoing royalties. While terms vary, securing proper licensing not only protects your investment but also ensures you can market your product without legal risks.

Choosing Materials and Design Features

When designing LABUBU-themed bags, material selection is crucial. You’ll need to balance durability, functionality, and aesthetics to meet customer expectations. For example:

Polyester: Offers water resistance and retains vibrant colors, making it ideal for LABUBU’s distinctive look.
Canvas: Provides breathability and easy cleaning, perfect for casual or everyday use.
Nylon: Known for its strength and lightweight feel, though it may need additional water-resistant treatment.

For athletic bags, functionality is key. Surveys show that 85% of sports teams prefer bags with multiple compartments for better organization, and 75% of athletes prioritize durability for heavy use. Consider adding sections for shoes, wet clothes, and electronics. Since 60% of team sports involve outdoor activities, water-resistant finishes are a must.

To ensure comfort and longevity, include padded, adjustable straps and reinforced handles. Incorporate LABUBU’s design through embroidered patches, printed panels, or subtle color accents. Also, tailor bag sizes to fit common needs – like gym bags that fit standard lockers or backpacks suitable for school, work, or daily use.

Meeting U.S. Market Standards

Once your design is finalized, the next step is meeting U.S. safety and labeling regulations. Compliance with these standards is non-negotiable, especially for products targeting children.

For children’s products (ages 12 and under), you’ll need to comply with CPSIA regulations, which include ASTM standards and restrictions on lead and phthalates. This involves third-party testing at CPSC-approved labs (starting at $300), obtaining a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC), and adding tracking labels with details like company name, production location, manufacture date, and batch number. California Proposition 65 also requires testing for over 800 restricted chemicals, with costs starting at $200.

All textile bags must have permanent labels showing fiber composition, care instructions, and "Made in [Country]" markings on both the product and its packaging. While adult-focused bags face fewer restrictions, material safety and proper labeling remain essential.

Platforms like Amazon demand full compliance with U.S. safety standards before allowing your product to be listed. Partnering with reliable testing services can streamline this process and ensure accuracy. Stricter regulations have significantly reduced U.S. toy recalls, dropping from 172 in 2008 to fewer than 20 annually since 2018.

With licensing, thoughtful design, and regulatory compliance in place, your LABUBU-inspired bag is ready to enter the market.

"The collection reimagines everyday convenience store moments through the eyes of LABUBU and friends… Complete with unexpected food mashups and quirky details, there is no doubt fans will fall in love." – Emily Brough, head of IP licensing at Pop Mart

Design Options: Adding LABUBU to Your Backpack

With licensing secured and materials chosen, the next step is all about creatively incorporating LABUBU’s iconic style into bag designs. The challenge lies in blending visual appeal with practicality while staying true to the character’s distinct features that resonate with Gen Z and millennial collectors. By building on the foundation of licensing and material selection, these design ideas bring LABUBU’s charm to life in every bag.

Ways to Add LABUBU to Bag Designs

Embroidered patches: These durable additions can showcase LABUBU’s recognizable silhouette, playful expressions, or signature poses. They can be placed on front panels, side pockets, or even as subtle accents on straps for a stylish touch.
Printed designs: Printing opens up a world of color and detail. Digital printing captures intricate artwork, while screen printing delivers bold, lasting colors. Vinyl printing works particularly well on flat surfaces like zipper pockets, combining functionality with a creative flair.
3D appliqué elements: Adding texture and depth, these fabric details can highlight LABUBU’s unique features or accessories, giving the bag a tactile, toy-like aesthetic. However, care must be taken to ensure these elements don’t interfere with the bag’s usability.
Detachable charms and keychains: Fans love accessorizing with LABUBU figures, and custom attachment points or carabiner loops make it easy for users to personalize their bags. This approach lets fans express their style without altering the bag’s core design.
Themed compartments: Functional elements can reflect LABUBU’s world, such as zipper pulls inspired by the character’s accessories, interior linings in LABUBU-themed colors, or compartment labels that mirror LABUBU’s playful expressions.

Functional Design Features for Custom Bags

LABUBU-inspired bags can go beyond aesthetics by incorporating practical features like adjustable straps and specialized compartments. These can cater to different user needs:

Students might appreciate a well-organized laptop compartment and plenty of space for books.
Athletes could benefit from sections designed for footwear or wet items.
Hikers may prioritize hydration compartments and gear organization systems.

Balancing style with functionality ensures the bag appeals to a broad audience while staying true to LABUBU’s essence.

Comparing Design Methods

Each design technique offers unique advantages:

Embroidery is durable and ideal for premium, everyday bags.
Digital printing excels at capturing fine details, making it perfect for limited-edition designs.
Screen printing works well for larger production runs with vibrant, long-lasting colors.
3D appliqué adds a tactile, high-end feel when executed thoughtfully.
Vinyl printing is a great choice for flat surfaces like zipper pockets, combining practicality with artistic expression.

The best method depends on your target audience, production scale, and the balance you want to strike between artistic detail and functional reliability.

LABUBU’s appeal lies in its dual role as a collectible and a fashion statement. Your bag designs should reflect this by offering both eye-catching aesthetics and everyday practicality. By integrating art and function, these design options ensure LABUBU’s charm shines through while meeting the needs of modern consumers.

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Manufacturing Methods for Custom Sports Bags

Turning design ideas into finished products requires a well-organized manufacturing process that blends creative vision with industrial precision. When incorporating vinyl toy IPs like LABUBU, the process demands both traditional bag-making expertise and specialized techniques to integrate character elements seamlessly.

From Prototype to Mass Production

The process kicks off by transforming LABUBU bag designs into physical prototypes. JUNYUAN BAGS uses CAD technology to create detailed technical drawings, ensuring every seam, pocket, and LABUBU element is precisely outlined.

Mass production builds upon these prototypes. Durable molds and controlled industrial processes are used to replicate the designs consistently, ensuring the LABUBU elements are integrated with precision. This stage also involves rigorous quality assurance to maintain high standards.

"The manufacture of vinyl toys is a blend of art and industry, requiring both creative finesse and producing high-quality items." – Demeng Toy

JUNYUAN BAGS offers both OEM and ODM services, catering to a variety of production needs. Many clients opt for a hybrid approach, combining custom design features with efficient manufacturing techniques.

Quality Control and Required Certifications

Quality control is carried out in three phases: pre-production, in-process, and post-production.

In the pre-production phase, materials and components are thoroughly checked to ensure they meet durability and quality standards. Suppliers are also vetted at this stage. During production, continuous oversight is maintained through manual inspections and automated processes like laser cutting and precision stitching, ensuring both technical specifications and design details are met. Post-production inspections, including random sampling, confirm that every LABUBU-inspired detail is faithfully executed and that the final product functions as intended.

Independent third-party inspections, such as those conducted by Insight Quality Services, play a key role in verifying product compliance, regulatory standards, and supplier capabilities.

For products destined for the U.S., meeting certification requirements is critical. Certifications like ISO 9001 highlight a commitment to quality management, while OEKO-TEX certification ensures textiles are safe. Additionally, compliance with safety regulations such as CPSIA is essential for products designed for children.

Shipping and Packaging for U.S. Customers

Once quality and certification standards are met, the focus shifts to packaging and shipping. Protecting LABUBU’s brand identity extends to how the product is presented and delivered to U.S. customers.

Custom packaging inspired by the LABUBU character not only safeguards the bags during transit but also enhances brand perception. Research shows that 61% of shoppers associate premium packaging with high-end brands, and 49% say attractive packaging heightens their excitement when receiving a product.

Protective packaging ensures the bags arrive in perfect condition. At the same time, eco-conscious packaging options are becoming more popular. Around 60% of consumers are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products. Options like biodegradable materials and minimalist packaging designs help reduce waste while keeping the product secure.

Additionally, proper documentation – such as customs declarations and country-of-origin labeling – ensures smooth shipping processes and aligns with the expectations of U.S. customers.

Meeting U.S. Consumer Trends and Preferences

Once the fundamentals of design and manufacturing are in place, the next step is understanding what U.S. consumers want. For brands incorporating LABUBU into their bag designs, tapping into current trends can help create products that resonate with buyers while building strong brand identity. The vinyl toy IP market, with standout characters like LABUBU, has already proven its ability to connect with audiences and leave a lasting impression.

Current Trends in Athletic and Lifestyle Bags

U.S. consumers are looking for bags that hit several key points: sustainability, versatility, and personalization. Eco-friendly materials like bamboo fibers and recycled plastics are no longer just a bonus – they’re expected. By using sustainable materials, LABUBU-themed bags can stay on-trend while keeping the character’s iconic look intact through eco-friendly printing and design techniques.

Versatility is another must-have. Buyers want bags that can move seamlessly from the gym to everyday errands. LABUBU’s playful and adaptable aesthetic fits perfectly into this demand, appealing to both active and casual lifestyles.

Personalization is also gaining traction, with customers seeking bags tailored to their individual style or specific activities. This opens up opportunities to incorporate LABUBU’s charm into customizable designs, allowing buyers to add their unique touch while reinforcing brand loyalty.

Visual trends can’t be overlooked either. Bold color blocking, metallic finishes, and handcrafted details like embroidery or beadwork are all popular right now. LABUBU graphics can stand out even more when paired with these elements. Other emerging styles, like transparent textures and oversized totes, offer additional creative avenues for LABUBU-inspired designs.

By aligning with these trends, LABUBU-themed bags can create a strong connection with consumers while staying relevant in the market.

Building Brand Recognition with LABUBU

LABUBU’s growing popularity in the U.S. highlights the potential of vinyl toy IPs to build strong brand recognition. High-profile endorsements from celebrities like Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Post Malone, and Lisa of Blackpink have only amplified its appeal.

"Labubu has become more than just a collectible; it’s a bold statement of individual style."
Emily Brough, Pop Mart’s head of IP licensing, the Americas

Taking inspiration from the blind-box marketing strategy that made LABUBU a hit, brands can create a sense of excitement and community around their products. As Emily Brough explains:

"Our blind-box format transforms a product into an experience, something to be shared, traded and talked about. It’s meant to be a constant sense of anticipation and community – and for newer IPs, it helps build immediate engagement."

Pricing also plays a role in emphasizing LABUBU’s premium positioning. While early blind boxes ranged from $13 to $16, recent releases have climbed to $27.99. On resale platforms like StockX and eBay, LABUBU items can fetch up to $3,134, showing just how much consumers are willing to invest in coveted pieces.

These elements – strategic pricing, community-driven marketing, and customization – can help LABUBU-themed bags stand out in a competitive market.

Using Customization to Stand Out

LABUBU’s unique personality and backstory provide a strong foundation for emotional branding. By weaving these elements into customizable designs, brands can create products that resonate on a deeper level with consumers.

Scarcity marketing is another powerful tool. Limited-edition releases and exclusive drops can generate buzz and urgency, making customized LABUBU bags even more desirable.

Social media plays a crucial role in amplifying these efforts. User-generated content, branded hashtags, and influencer collaborations can help LABUBU-themed products gain traction and reach wider audiences.

The growing trend of adult collectors is also worth noting. In 2024, U.S. consumers aged 18 and older contributed to an $800 million increase in the toy market, with sales in this demographic rising 12% to $1.8 billion in early 2025. This signals a strong demand for premium, collectible items like customized LABUBU bags.

Collaborations with artists can take customization to the next level. Limited-edition collections co-designed with artists appeal not only to LABUBU fans but also to art collectors, adding an extra layer of exclusivity.

Finally, building a loyal community is key to long-term success. Hosting exclusive events, offering limited releases, and staying active on social media can foster a sense of belonging among fans. JUNYUAN BAGS can tap into this by creating seasonal LABUBU collections or collector-focused campaigns, ensuring ongoing engagement and repeat purchases.

Getting Started with Vinyl Toy IP Customization

The vinyl toy IP market is booming, presenting a massive opportunity for custom bag manufacturers. The global Art Toy market is expected to hit $62.13 billion by 2030, growing at a 16.8% CAGR, making LABUBU-inspired bag designs a standout choice in this expanding industry.

To dive into this market, you’ll need a well-thought-out plan that addresses legal, design, and manufacturing aspects. The first and most critical step? Securing proper IP licensing. As Paul Gobat explains:

"If you are using a likeness or name of a trademarked or copyrighted entity then you need to pursue a license."

Skipping this step could lead to legal complications, so it’s essential to get it right from the start.

Once licensing is in place, the focus shifts to design and production. This is where JUNYUAN BAGS comes in. With over 15 years of expertise, a 200,000-piece monthly production capacity, and an 8,000 square meter factory, they offer a seamless, one-stop service. From initial concepts to final shipping, they handle the heavy lifting, freeing up brands to concentrate on marketing and customer engagement.

Submitting your ideas is straightforward – just email [email protected] with your logo and customization preferences. By consolidating the entire process with one experienced partner, brands can avoid the hassle of juggling multiple vendors.

The timing couldn’t be better. Take inspiration from vinyl toy pioneers like Michael Lau, whose 1997 "Crazy Children" collection sold out quickly and became a collector’s dream. Fast forward to today, and the demand for Art Toys is even stronger. In 2022 alone, online sales reached $6.87 billion, while offline sales hit $11.05 billion.

Success in this space goes beyond simply adding vinyl toy characters to bags. It’s about creating collectible experiences that resonate with diverse consumer groups. The market appeals to a wide range of demographics, from children and pre-teens (valued at $10.34 billion in 2022) to adults aged 36-55 (valued at $1.33 billion).

FAQs

How can I obtain the rights to create LABUBU-themed bag designs?

To design LABUBU-themed bags, the first step is securing IP licensing from the rights holder. LABUBU, a creation by Kasing Lung, is typically managed through licensing agreements. You’ll need to reach out to the rights holder or their representative to express your interest and negotiate the terms. This usually includes paying licensing fees, signing a formal agreement, and following specific brand guidelines to ensure the LABUBU IP is represented accurately.

It’s crucial to fulfill all contractual requirements and stick to the licensing terms. This not only safeguards the LABUBU brand but also ensures your business remains compliant with legal standards. Licensing the LABUBU IP doesn’t just give you permission to use it – it also adds a special appeal to your products, drawing in fans and collectors who value officially licensed merchandise.

How can brands ensure LABUBU-inspired bags meet U.S. safety standards, especially for children?

To make sure LABUBU-inspired bags meet U.S. safety requirements, particularly for children’s products, brands need to adhere to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and ASTM F963 standards. These regulations focus on critical safety factors like material testing, proper warning labels, and minimizing risks from mechanical or chemical hazards.

Compliance requires detailed product testing, clear labeling, and thorough documentation to demonstrate that all federal safety rules are being followed. By sticking to these guidelines, brands can guarantee their products are safe for children, dependable, and meet U.S. regulatory standards.

How can LABUBU’s unique style be incorporated into custom bag designs without sacrificing functionality?

Integrating LABUBU’s distinct charm into custom bags offers plenty of creative possibilities. Take transparent PVC display bags, for example – they’re not just practical for everyday use but also let you showcase LABUBU figures in a fun, eye-catching way. Another option? Canvas bags that can be personalized with LABUBU-inspired designs, whether through artwork, embroidery, or playful embellishments.

These ideas highlight LABUBU’s signature look while keeping the bags functional and sturdy for daily use. Whether you’re appealing to avid collectors or casual shoppers, these designs strike the perfect mix of style and usability, making them appealing to a wide audience.