About The Case Industry

There are many types and styles of shipping and carrying cases. Determining which case is best for you and your products depends on many factors, and not every case can provide the ideal solution for your requirements. Case durability, size and fit, weight, pricing, options, and appearance are all important considerations. When choosing a case, make sure you work with someone who has your best interests in mind and isn’t just concerned about selling you a specific brand. Some times an “off the shelf” case may be your best solution, other times a “made to order” case will result in a better fit, better protection, and more attractive appearance.

At Bel-Air Cases, we will help you determine if our cases are the most appropriate for your requirements. If not, we’ll help you find another source. In the meantime, here is a brief guide to help you learn more about the world of transit cases.

Case Type

About the Process

Durability

Available Sizes

Ability to Customize

Cost

Advantages

Disadvantages

BEL-AIR
Vacuum-formed

Plastic shells are
“vacuum formed”
from sheet plastic,
trimmed to the
desired height,
then the valance
and hardware
is added

HIGH

Many Many

Many

HIGH

$$

Ability to
customize

Available
sizes

Not ideal for
deep drawn cases

Roto-Molded

Plastic shells
are “roto-molded”
from “liquid” plastic.
Hardware is added
secondarily.

VERY HIGH

Some

LOW

$$$

Durability

Heavy

custom vacuum-formed case with black exterior

Injection Molded

Plastic shells
are “injection
molded” from
“liquid” plastic.
Hardware is part
of the case.

HIGH

Few

VERY LOW

$$

Waterproof

Availability

Limited Sizes

Aluminum

Aluminum shells
are fabricated or
pressed from sheet
aluminum or composite.
Valance and hardware
are added secondarily.

MEDIUM

Many

MEDIUM

$$

Initial
appearance

Easily dented
or scratched

Fabricated

Laminated woods
or composites are
cut to size and
assembled using
aluminum brackets.
Valance and hardware
are added secondarily.

MEDIUM

Unlimited

VERY HIGH

$$$

Unlimited sizes
and alternative
configurations.

Very Heavy

Blow Molded

Plastic shells
are “blow molded”
from “liquid” plastic.
Hardware is added
or can be part
of the case.

LOW

Many

LOW

$

Economical

Availability

Only available
in smaller
sizes.