I have a product that I would like to have manufactured. Anyone know the process & what my next step should b?

Question

The product is made of fabric.

I've made samples already.

Answer 1

First question is whether you will be making it yourself or have some place that specializes in this kind of work make it for you.

Let's suppose you want a specialist place to do the work, because they know how to do it inexpensively, have tooling, workers, insurance, the whole 9 years, making similar things for other entrepenours, so the overhead (building, etc.) divided up.

Based on nature of your product, you check directories of manufacturers such as
http://www.thomasnet.com/
http://www.emvoy.com/

You go to them with sample of what you want, diagram, whatever, an estimate of how many you will need a year, how often you will need (like 1,000 a week, whatever) and ask for two things
* a quote
* a sample

The quote is their rate to make 1,000 a week or whatever your estimate is, what they will charge for 100, 10,000 other quantities.

The sample, made by them, is for your inspection to make sure they are doing it right.

You may need to show them proof that you are financially able to pay for all this.

Answer 2

Regardless of what the product is made from you will need to do a patent search. A patent search is research that would establish whether or not the product has been patented before usually performed by a patent attorney. If not...you will need to obtain a patent on your design. This is rather costly around 3G. However, obtaining a patent doesn't guarantee that a company will not knock off your idea if it's a good one.

Answer 3

Get about $50,000 together & the proto-types of your product ,
Then make a trip to the far east .
I don't think there are many factories left in the west that do that manufacturing .

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