JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — Beyond leather bags, canvas bags are also widely favored for their durability and easy maintenance. Ferry Yuliana (53), the owner of Mimpi Bags in Yogyakarta, recognized this as a business opportunity. She created canvas bags that are lightweight and comfortable to carry on the shoulder. In addition, she enhances them with paintings, prints, and embroidery details.
Like any other business, building Mimpi Bags required capital. In an interview with Kompas.com, Ferry shared the estimated startup costs for a canvas bag business and the types of raw materials needed.
To produce her canvas bags, Ferry looks for materials made entirely from canvas. She sources canvas fabric directly from factories and can also request specific types according to her needs.
“At the factory, we can place special requests. Recently, a client from overseas wanted a canvas bag where the kapok seeds were visibly prominent in the fabric. That could be requested from the factory,” Ferry explained during a teleconference on Tuesday (21/5/2024).
In addition to factories, Ferry often purchases leftover canvas materials at affordable prices from local markets. She even buys thread that has not yet been woven into fabric and weaves it herself.
For production, Ferry typically uses one roll of canvas fabric to make around 200 bags. Each roll measures approximately 100 meters in length. On average, her team can produce up to 500 bags per week.
“One roll of canvas can make about 200 bags, and we can produce around 500 bags per week. Each roll is about 100 meters long,” she explained.
When asked about material purchasing schedules, Ferry said it depends on demand. The factory consistently supplies the canvas she needs.
“Getting the material is quite easy. The factory is fully prepared. If there’s a large order, I need to be ready to purchase in larger quantities. If not, I can buy smaller amounts, such as 50 meters,” she added.
To secure raw canvas materials and the tools needed to finish the products, Ferry requires approximately IDR 20 to 25 million in capital. This estimate does not include painting tools, as she uses simple tools available around her.
“For painting, I use basic brushes. I can even use my hands. An unused toothbrush works as well,” she said.
Ferry emphasizes her commitment to using accessible tools, except for screen printing equipment.
“I want to help people be able to work from home. That’s why I eventually bought screen printing tools. They’re affordable, available in both small and large sizes,” she concluded.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published by Kompas.com and has been translated into English for reference purposes.