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How to get a prototype made
For a lot of inventors, entrepreneurs’ and start-ups the process of making a prototype product is unclear and often confusing. You have spotted a gap in the market, or considered an existing product and think you have a new and improved way to solve a specific problem, you are potentially a start up company or an entrepreneur looking to develop a range of products and wanting to get the process underway.
Often clients come to us asking “How do i get my prototype product made? ” many with no knowledge of the prototyping process or how to get a physical product prototype made.
Looking for steps to get your prototype made?
Step 1
Find a prototype designer
There are many prototyping companies in the UK offering to create a physical prototype. It is one of the richest countries for these technologies and you can often be spoiled for choice. We think you need to focus on finding the right fit for your project. One of the most important aspects to consider is, whether you are being offered a passive process.
Passive in the same way you send a document to a printer. Flynn instead pride ourselves on our active approach as a Prototype Designer we will guide you through the prototype development process.
Step 2
What is the prototype for?
Prototyping can be a significant part of your overall development budget. So at Flynn we want to ensure that your spending your budgets wisely. We will certainly ask you why you need a prototype?
This is a leading question, because most inventors, entrepreneurs’ and established companies prototype as part of the product development process. Often a client is asking for a prototype when actually what they require is a Product Designer. Clients want a prototype as they seek validation of the current design thinking.
At Flynn we will help you understand, that overall the answer to why you need the prototype is because your looking to take a product to market. This is to say, your looking to enter product development. So we recommend a review of your current design, the problem its aimed at solving and understand if this is an optimal pathway. We don’t take a passive approach, we don’t want you to loose budget on design work that is going nowhere fast.
Step 3
Product development or simply prototyping?
If you have CAD already and you wish to get that realised in 3D to scale, to tolerance we have the tools to do this to the highest standards, happy to help you prototype. For example existing manufacturers or SME might well have conducted product development and they might already be working with a product designer , in that case, the design is likely optimised and forms a legitimate part of the product development process
We can then offer prototyping techniques, from FDM printing, to SLS, SLA, CNC and Metal Sintering, Vacuum Casting, RIM Casting etc. However most clients that are new to product development, might be seeking prototyping prematurely, remember ; you are likely looking to make a product not just a prototype, therefore this is simply one step in a wider process, which needs our attention as early in your development cycle as possible. This saves you time and money and helps maximise your chances in market.
Step 4
Leave the rest to the expert
Once the course of your product development and where the prototyping intersects, has been established, we can get to work. Getting a prototype product made is essentially a step in the road to product development. At Flynn we will guide you through every step of the process, which is different for each and every project.
The common stages to getting your prototype product developed are to establish; The Brief > Offer Concept solutions > Assess those > Take some to prototype > Assess those > Take an successful design through to product design for manufacture > DFM is critical to successful product development. To Find our more check out our other pages and reach out if you have questions, we are here to help guide you towards success. Read Prototype – AZ of product development for more on how we approach prototyping.
FAQ
What do you need to provide to get a prototype made?
The key ingredients to getting a prototype made are a clear and comprehensive design of your product, think detailed sketches, 3D models, CAD files, or technical drawings. These assets are essential for translating your idea from concept to something tangible.
If you already have existing drawings or digital CAD models, fantastic; those will allow us to jump straight into the technical side of prototyping. If not, don’t worry. Part of our role at Flynn is to help you develop this material, ensuring every critical detail is captured before we bring your prototype to life. The more complete your preparation, the more seamless and accurate, the process becomes.
Technical documentation, material preferences, sizing constraints, and any specific requirements (such as intended manufacturing methods or performance criteria) are all helpful too. By sharing as much as you can upfront, you’ll set the foundation for a smoother and more efficient journey through prototyping and beyond.
What role does user-centered development play in prototyping?
When it comes to prototyping, keeping user-centered development at the heart of the process makes all the difference. By focusing on the real needs and experiences of your intended users, prototyping becomes a tool for testing out ideas in the context of actual use. This means gathering early feedback, identifying pain points, and improving the design long before you sink further investment into production.
At Flynn, we believe that a prototype isn’t just an engineering exercise or a technical checkbox. Instead, it’s an opportunity to solve meaningful problems for the people who’ll interact with your product day to day. This approach ensures that every iteration brings you closer to a solution that the market will genuinely embrace, rather than simply creating something that’s possible to manufacture.
What is the proccess of creating a prototype from design to final product?
Usually, getting a prototype made starts once you have been through the early stage of development and have reached a point where you have a concept and some questions that need answering. At this stage you will have detailed drawings and 3D designs that capture your idea in full detail. These technical assets, whether CAD models, engineering drawings, or digital sketches, are the foundation. They allow us to produce a physical prototype using the most suitable techniques for your product, such as FDM or SLS 3D printing, CNC machining, or casting methods like vacuum or RIM casting.
Once you have your first prototype in hand, the real learning starts. You’ll put it through its paces, testing both functionality and fit for purpose. This is a crucial point: most prototypes reveal as many questions as they answer. The process is iterative, test, learn, tweak, and prototype again, refining the design and solving any functional issues before you invest in costly manufacturing tooling or production runs. This approach not only saves you time and money but ensures the design is robust before it hits the market.
Why is prototyping an important step in the product design process?
Getting a prototype made is an essential step in turning your idea into a real, tangible product. Typically, this starts with detailed designs and drawings, be they hand sketches, CAD files, or 3D models, that illustrate your product in full. These drawings become the blueprint for producing your prototype. Once you have your first prototype in hand, you start a process of testing its functionality and purpose, then iterating the design before moving on to the next version.
This cycle is crucial: prototyping allows you to refine your design, solve functional issues, and make key improvements before committing to expensive manufacturing set-up, where changes become far more difficult (and far more costly). By specialising in different prototyping techniques, FLYNN can provide exactly what your project needs, whether that's FDM printing, SLS, SLA, CNC, Metal Sintering, Vacuum Casting, or RIM Casting.
What are the benefits of working with experienced prototype designers?
The process of getting a prototype made can be complex, involving many technical considerations and potential pitfalls. That’s why it’s essential to work with a reputable and experienced prototype maker to ensure the best possible outcome. A professional designer doesn’t just execute a design, they collaborate with you, help you navigate technical hurdles, and ensure the pathway from idea to physical product is as smooth as possible. The right partner will help you avoid costly mistakes, adapt your design for manufacturability, and maximise your chances for market success.
“Prototyping is essential to validate pre production design”
