Frequently Asked Questions
How and when do you take payment for my project?
We take payment via credit card (AMEX, Mastercard or Visa) through a secure online payment portal. We will send you a link to the payment portal as part of your quote.
At the beginning of the project we ask for a deposit of 50% of the project cost. To pay the deposit, just click on the link to the payment portal in your quote email and enter the relevant amount before checking out. If you have any questions about the cost of your project, how much to pay for the 50% deposit, or you have trouble making the payment give us a call on and we’ll guide you through it.
Once we’ve finished your project and delivered the final product we ask you to pay the 50% balance which is outstanding through the payment portal.
Please note that in rare instances where clients become non-responsive after receiving their final product or we do not receive the balance payment in a timely manner, we may charge the credit card that was used to pay the 50% deposit one more time to cover the 50% balance and complete the payment for the project. This only occurs with clients who leave us no other option and are trying to get their project for half the original quoted price. Eg. They contract us to start the project, pay the original deposit of half the project price, we complete their project and send them the final product, they then go radio silent so they don’t have to pay the final half of the project cost.
Once I have completed payment for my project are you still available to help?
Yes, definitely. We know that project ideas and products evolve over time, so we’re flexible about changes.
If you need more changes or assistance after the full payment for the project has been made, we are more than happy to assist. Depending on the requested changes there may be an additional cost. Minor tweaks we can often accommodate free of charge, large changes might need a re-evaluation of the project scope and budget.
Clear communication matters to us. If any changes you request will impact the project budget we’ll let you know right away.
What makes us different from other product design and manufacturing companies?
We’re different (and better!) in lots of ways. A few stand outs include having a hugely experienced team and global partnerships that allow us to deliver high-quality, reliable results affordably. Working with us through the full project life cycle makes communication easier and saves money and time compared to hiring multiple companies or freelancers for different parts of your project. We also take the time to really understand your vision and project goals before starting a project. Get in touch with us directly and let’s get to know each other!
Who do we usually work with? Is there a type of project our services are best suited for?
We don’t have a specific niche we work in. We have worked with everyone from inventors and entrepreneurs, to startups, Amazon FBA sellers and large companies like Fortune 500s across many different industries.
We have specialist knowledge and combined decades of experience in CAD design, prototyping, 3D printing and full-scale manufacturing.
Rest assured, if you have a product idea, we can help you turn it into a reality, no matter your industry or the scale of your project.
Are there any industries or companies you won’t work with?
Yes. Ethics is important to us. We won’t work with any industries or projects that go against ethical or legal standards. Eg. we won’t take on projects related to weapons, illegal substances, knock-off products, or anything that could otherwise cause harm or break the law.
If you’re not sure about whether we’re right for you, get in touch, we’re happy to discuss your project and we will respectfully let you know if your project is not the right fit for us.
Is my idea safe with you?
Very safe! We have a non-disclosure agreement pre-signed and waiting on standby, as our clients often request them. We are more than happy to sign an NDA before taking on or discussing your project. Our business is in helping our clients succeed with great products, not in stealing people’s ideas!
How many revisions are included in my project?
CAD design
In our standard CAD design packages you get two rounds of revisions so we can make sure the file we create meets your expectations. If more revisions are needed after that, we’ll clearly discuss any additional costs before going ahead so you don’t get any surprises. Often no revisions are needed at all, as we try get your designs perfect the first time. That saves time both for us and you.
Prototyping and mold making
Prototypes and molds are time and material intensive. Because of this revisions are not included in the project cost and additional prototypes or molds are re-quoted on a case by case basis. We highly recommend trying to iron out any design issues during the CAD design process where possible. Use prototypes to further refine your product idea, and then by the time molds are created the product should have been refined and shouldn’t require any further alterations. This is the best approach as new molds are costly.
What information should I provide to start my project?
We don’t need a lot to get started. Sending us the following things is a great help:
– Any sketches, notes, or initial ideas (even rough ones!) for the part or product you want to create
– Details like dimensions, materials, and functionality
– If you have existing CAD files or technical drawings, feel free to share those as well
Don’t worry if you’re not sure what to send — just ask and we’ll guide you through the process.
How long does it take to complete a project?
Project timelines can vary greatly depending on the scope and complexity of your project. Simple CAD designs can often be completed in as little as a few days, while larger manufacturing projects with thousands of parts may take weeks or months for your products to arrive. Whether you choose to have your products manufactured on or offshore will also change the timeline based on shipping times.
We’ll give you a clear timeline during the initial consultation phase of your project and keep you updated along the way if anything changes that will cause delivery to be faster or slower than expected.
Can you help with patent drawings and protecting my idea?
All our patent drawings are created to meet USPTO standards.
We focus solely on the technical side of patent drawings, but can put you in touch with trusted patent attorneys for legal advice.
Do you handle both small and large manufacturing runs?
Yes, we can create everything from single 3D printed prototypes to full-scale production runs of many thousands of parts.
We can help you manufacture your products either offshore or in the US, depending on your needs, budget and timelines.
What materials and technologies do you use?
As you might expect, we work with a wide range of materials, including plastics (with an option for using recycled ocean plastics), metals and silicones. We can advise you on the best material for your project, and can source materials for you if you’re looking for something specific.
Our manufacturing technologies include 3D printing, injection molding, high-precision machining, and more. We’ll recommend the best manufacturing method to suit your project’s needs.
Can you help with designing for sustainability?
We sure can! We can help you manufacture your product in sustainable materials like recycled ocean plastics or other materials that minimize environmental impact and have experience in eco-friendly design and manufacturing processes.
Sustainability is an important focus for many of our clients, and we gladly support that.
Can you help with scaling my product from prototype to full production?
Yes! We can guide you through all steps of the manufacturing process, from ideation to early prototypes and then to large-scale manufacturing. We’ll help you refine your designs for mass production, in a way that’s cost-effective and high quality.
How do you ensure the quality of overseas manufacturing?
To ensure production quality, we work with trusted manufacturers we have spent years vetting. We make sure your products are made in ethical manufacturing environments. Our team conducts regular quality assurance checks, and we handle all the logistics for you so you can focus on your business with confidence knowing you will get a great end result with your project.
What if I don’t have any technical experience?
No problem at all! Many of our clients are first-time inventors or entrepreneurs, or work for large companies but don’t have a thorough background in product development. We are engineers and product designers so you don’t have to be. You can lean on our experience and we’ll guide you through every step of the production process in plain english. Think of us as your partner in turning your idea into a finished product. We’ll answer any questions you might have about your project along the way.
Do you have a privacy policy?
Yes, we do. You can find it here. We take your privacy seriously. All information that you share with us — project details, IP, personal information or anything else — we treat with the strictest confidentiality. Our privacy policy explains how your data is collected, used, and protected. We’re also more than happy to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to give you extra peace of mind.
