When you are shooting for a patent on what you feel is a good product, patience can be a tough thing to have at times. Let’s say that you have a design for a product. You even feel that it works based on some sketches and crude test runs. But what happens when you have to have it manufactured. Just because you are keen on the way it is designed does not mean that it will be an easy thing to pull off. Designing a product is one thing, but trying to get something manufactured may not be easy and could prove to be a headache. In some cases people have scrapped an entire project just because it would cost way too much to produce. Sure, maybe these were good ideas, but if there is no market for it at a higher price, then you must consider other options.

Another option can also be to head back to the drawing board. This can be difficult, yet the manufacturer may have some suggestions for you as to how to make it cheaper and easier to produce. The key is, do not give up, or in some cases know when to give up.



Sure you may be a great inventor, but you are not a mastermind at everything. At some point in your process of inventing something, you may get to the place where you need help having a part or parts made. These are usually called prototypes. Prototypes are parts that basically are first production sets. They may be a bit crude looking but essentially will still fit into place and do the job for testing purposes.

You may need a plastics extrusion facility to do some work, or perhaps a sheet metal shop to press something out for you. Either way, this may be a necessary part of your invention. Keep in mind that sometimes it is hard for you to do everything yourself.

So what in the world is a prototype part? A prototype part is usually a part that is made for the first time to be fitted or used in your invention. It will more than likely not be perfected as far as the look, shine or have the polished look you will want the end parts to have. But it can be a vital tool in helping you to test its fit and function into the end product.

Machine shops or companies that specialize in these types of builds are truly very resourceful when it comes to getting them done. They can cost quite a bit at times to make. Sometimes special molds or parts will have to be made in order to make your product. Try and keep some of this in mind the next time you’re ready to produce something.

WOW, you actually got your patent. After such a long wait and possibly thousands of dollars you got it! So what in the world do you do next? At this point most people think that they have gotten past the hardest part. -The hardest part being getting the patent and spending the money to do so. Of course trying to write the patent in a way to get it through was no small task either.

At this point I hope you may have your  a prototype or two of your product. Depending on the intensity of what you have, say a simple new style of pencil or a more extensive product like a car that runs on banana peels for fuel, you now need to source out your manufacturer. Keep in mind that setting up production for anything, whether it’s that new pencil or your car, takes a considerable amount of money depending on who you find to do it all.

At first you may try and find a lower cost local company to do this. Wait, I should say, if at all possible if you can make your product yourself than great! With the economy the way it is, businesses are more desperate for work. Hunt these people down; you could save tons of money!

So in summary, make sure you have a working prototype, CAD drawings if possible, and more than likely a deep pocketbook to handle the costs. Do your research…