Custom Product Creation: From Concept to Manufacturing
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Customized Products and Cutting-Edge Prototypes
One of the best ways to establish brand authority is to launch a new product, or a customized version of an existing product. While many businesses have new product ideas, it's far more challenging to find a supplier in China that can bring ideas to the marketplace. Fortunately, Kanary is here to help.
Formula Development / ID Design
We collaborate with you and our trusted formulation labs to develop custom product formulas and industrial designs that align with your vision. Whether you're creating a supplement, skincare item, or wellness product, we ensure it’s optimized for performance and manufacturability.
Sampling / Prototyping
Our team manages the sampling process by coordinating with vetted manufacturers to produce functional prototypes for review. This allows you to test quality, performance, and design before committing to full production.
Pilot Production
We facilitate small-batch pilot runs through our supplier network to validate processes and gather real-market feedback. This ensures your product is production-ready and scalable for larger volumes.
Kanary's Product Creation Process
Kanary's factory research team reaches out to 30-50 suppliers to determine if they have the engineering expertise required to customize or create a new product. Generally, our goal is to find at least three high-quality factory options that could potentially make your new product.
Prototyping
We’ll coordinate with the factory in creating a 3D printed or CNC prototype. Then we handle shipping it to you for inspection. Kanary’s team will help analyze the prototype sample, determining what components need to be sourced from what supplier, and will deliver feedback to the supplier if adjustments are required. For skincare or supplement formula development, you can either work with our in-house chemist to create the formula or we can work with the R&D department at the factory to create a custom formula. Then samples are made and shipped to the client for review.
Tooling (Setting Up Molds)
Once the prototype is approved, Kanary will work with the factory in creating molds for mass production. Our production experts will determine what molds are needed for your product, and make sure the cost is reasonable and timelines are met. Setting up proper tooling in the beginning allows for efficient scaling with quality materials.
Manufacturing
When the molded pre production products are approved, mass production can begin. Kanary maintains an on-site presence at the factory during manufacturing, examining products, and offering advice on possible future product iterations.
Quality Control
During production, Kanary will be responsible for implementing and supervising quality control processes (QCP). As issues arise, we'll quickly respond and resolve them, making sure that your product timeline is efficient as possible without your business needing to be concerned about corners being cut.
Product Creation by the Numbers
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As a loose guide, the typical “sweet spot” Kanary client who will benefit the most from our process and scaleable expertise will have annual gross revenue starting at approximately 5 million USD. If your business meets—or is approaching—this threshold, we can help you!
FAQ
How much does it cost to make a prototype in China?
The cost to make a prototype in China will vary depending on your chosen supplier and the kind of product you're looking to prototype. While there's no set price, there are a few fees that are unique to prototyping:
- 3D sampling: It's not uncommon to receive a 3D printed sample of a novel product. Creating and shipping this sample will be an extra cost.
- Molds: Molds are what a supplier can use to mass produce your product after a successful prototype has been made. While molds have a significant upfront cost, they may pay for themselves if you plan on making a high-volume order.
How do you make a 3D prototype before mass production?
You'll need to send the design files to your supplier so they can create a 3D prototype. Common files include CAD and Adobe Illustrator (AI) files. Once a supplier has these files, and you've given a thorough explanation of what you're looking for, a 3D prototype can be made.
Who can build me a prototype in China?
You'll need to find a China supplier that has the engineering capacity to either customize products or create products from scratch. While there are many factories in China capable of making prototypes, not all factories can. Even among the suppliers that can, they may not have the experience in your specific industry niche to partner with you.
Your business will need to take time to find potential suppliers, and then narrow those suppliers down based on your needs and the perceived quality of the factories. If you think you'd benefit from removing the guesswork, time, and resources into finding a supplier, then you may want to work with a sourcing specialist, like Kanary.
How do I get a prototype built in China?
There are a few basic steps you can expect to follow when making a prototype in China. Keep in mind your specific steps may vary depending on your products, your supplier, and your needs:
- Search for suppliers: You need to find suppliers that have the engineering experience and capability to make prototypes.
- Send design files: You should have detailed, precise design files for your prototype (usually CAD and Adobe Illustrator (AI) files). Those files will be sent to the supplier, and they'll use them to make a 3D sample.
- Evaluate 3D sample: When you receive the 3D sample, make sure your design files were followed and that your overall design works. You may need to provide feedback to the supplier about a mistake they made, or you may need to tweak your design for your product to be functional.
- Pay for a mold: If you're going to mass produce your prototype, your supplier will need to make a mold on your behalf. While there is a large, upfront cost for a mold, it will greatly reduce the per unit cost during mass production, and is generally worth the investment for large volume orders
- Supervise production: When mass production is ready, you'll want to monitor production. This will help you ensure that quality control processes are being followed, and it will help you identify production issues quickly.
What's the difference between a prototype and a custom product?
A prototype is a brand-new product that is not currently being sold. A custom product is a variation of a product that exists with unique modifications. For example, the very first fidget spinner was a prototype, while subsequent fidget spinners with unique designs and features were customized products.
Why is a prototype so expensive?
The reason why prototypes feel expensive is usually because of the costs associated with 3D printing the prototype, as well as the cost to make a mold for mass production. However, the opportunity to introduce a new product that doesn't exist often outweighs the upfront cost of developing a prototype.
How do I find a China supplier that can make a prototype?
You can find China suppliers that can make a prototype through online platforms like Alibaba, though you'll want to take your time finding options and slowly eliminating options. If you don't have the time, resources, or expertise to find and vet potential prototype suppliers, you may want to partner with a sourcing specialist, like Kanary.
What are common mistakes when customizing a product in China?
There are a few mistakes we've seen businesses make when trying to customize a product in China:
- Not vetting suppliers properly: If your supplier isn't a good one, or they don't have the engineering capacity to make product customizations, your product quality will suffer.
- Not supervising quality control: It's always important to be on-site to monitor production and quality control, but it's exceptionally important with customized products. Problems need to be identified quickly and resolved before they balloon into huge issues.
What do I need to give to my China supplier to make a prototype?
Your China supplier will need design files to make your prototype. Usually, those will be CAD files and Adobe Illustrator (AI) files.
Can any supplier in China customize a product?
No. Not all China suppliers are able to customize products. You'll need to properly vet suppliers to make sure that they have the engineering capacity to customize your product according to your design specifications. If you aren't sure you can validate suppliers, you may want to partner with a sourcing specialist who can, like Kanary.
Do I need a mold for customizing a product or a prototype?
Most prototypes and some customized products will need a mold for mass production. While this is a significant, upfront price for businesses, it makes mass production of products far more cost effective.