Product development · Shenzhen
From a sketch or a sample to goods on a pallet
Most buyers don't need a supplier — they need a product that exists, built by a factory that can repeat it. I run that process: sampling, tooling, DFM feedback, mass production and inspection.
Process
Seven steps, and exactly what I do in each
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Brief and feasibility
I tell you which categories are realistically doable at your target price and volume, before you spend anything. Sometimes the honest answer is that your target price doesn't match your spec.
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Supplier selection
3–5 factories with the right tooling and certifications, filtered on past projects rather than on how impressive the showroom is.
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Quotation and cost breakdown
One page per factory: unit price at your volume, tooling, packaging, certification, lead time. You see the margin on both sides.
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Sampling (1st, 2nd, 3rd round)
Each round produces a change list. I photograph and measure against your spec so feedback is objective, not "it feels a bit off".
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DFM and pre-production meeting
Tooling review, assembly instructions, packing method and a final pre-production sample that everyone signs off on.
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Mass production
Weekly photo updates, plus a mid-line inspection roughly 30% through production so problems surface early rather than at the container.
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Final inspection and shipping
Full pre-shipment inspection against the approved sample, then consolidation and freight quotes.
Fee structure
Fixed project fee, then a follow-through fee
Sampling & development
$300–800 fixed project fee covering supplier search, sample rounds and DFM work. Depends on category complexity, not on order value.
Production follow-through
3–5% charged once mass production is approved, on the order value. Covers production follow-up and final inspection.
Tooling & certification
At cost — passed through at actual cost with the invoice attached. No markup on tooling, ever.
Start a project
Tell me what you want to build
A photo, a competitor's product, a sketch, or a half-formed idea — all of these are enough to start. I'll come back with feasibility and a cost range.
- Feasibility answer before you commit to tooling
- Development fee agreed and fixed before sampling starts
- You own the tooling and the designs, in writing