You just finished the first technical and computer drawing of the product that you want made. You provide the specifications, requirements and CMF to your factory. You’re excited to receive your first sample. While you wait, you have to decide how to review the quality of your sample.

Working with a quality agent can help you review samples more quickly, provide oversight during prototype production and catch defects before they’re shipped to you. When you are planning for prototyping, consider the following:

1)Make sure your prototyped goods align with the specifications provided. This means, you or your agent should match up measurements, thickness, material quality and other details with the initial details specified.

2)Review the sample’s independent performance and in an assembly, when applicable. If there are multiple parts to a final product, you or your agent should look to address how they interact with each other and if they line up correctly. Also consider how different materials or components interact once assembled.

3)Keep in mind that prototypes will be different from mass production. This is because prototypes are, oftentimes, made with different molds or by hand to complete initial review. Top of production samples will provide more insight into how final goods will look, but any glaring inconsistencies at prototyping level need to be addressed immediately for review.

4)Test the performance and accuracy of the prototype. A great way to review a prototype is to have users test it to see if the product performs well. Previously, we had issues with shrinkage of a product under cold temperatures so we had our agent partner test the goods in the refrigerator overnight. Similar testing may include testing for shipping, stress or weather conditions.

5)Prototyped samples are not expected to be perfect the first time around and will take additional engineering or configuring. Your suppliers and agents are cognizant of that and will work together to improve iterations to get to production ready.

Prototyping with your vendor is a crucial time to review both their capabilities, the design of the part or assembly, and the performance of your products. If you have reservations or if your agent has any flagged items, work with the vendors to sort this out before you kick off production.

A good agent partner will help save money, time and improve the quality of goods. Please reach out to Victure Group for more information!

Join the following groups for off-shore sourcing opportunities-

China Sourcing- https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4462099/

India Sourcing- https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8454669/

Vietnam Sourcing- https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8815822/

Asia Sourcing- https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8909383/

Gifts and Premiums- https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4421652/

Circular Economy- https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13908783/