If you’re the inventor of a cool new product, then crowdfunding is the place for you. Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and BackerKit are full of users who are looking to be the first to try up-and-coming products from creators big and small. And since crowdfunding turns the traditional product launch methodology on its head, all you need is a prototype to start raising money.
For those who’ve never made a prototype before, there are a lot of important concepts to understand in order to get it right. It may seem intimidating before getting started, but our goal is to make it as easy for you as possible so that you make a quick transition from the prototyping phase to crowdfunding. In this post, we will answer the question: How do you make a prototype of an invention?
Key Takeaways
- Understanding the steps involved in creating a prototype
- Being able to identify when to consider professional help for prototyping
- Knowing how to estimate prototyping costs
Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Understanding prototyping
- Steps to create a prototype
- Getting professional help
- Prototyping methods and techniques
- Costs and funding for prototypes
- Testing and refining the prototype
- Final thoughts on prototyping an invention
- How do you make a prototype of an invention: Frequently asked questions
Understanding prototyping
Prototyping is a foundational step in bringing a new invention or product to life. A prototype is a physical representation of an idea that turns concepts into reality. Additionally, it’s a way to solve problems and try out new concepts to find out what does and doesn’t work. Through careful iteration, the idea that started in your head can evolve to something even better through testing out physical prototypes.
There are several different types of prototypes, ranging from digital in the earliest stages to eventually becoming physical. Here are some of the types you may encounter on your prototyping journey:
- Sketch and diagram prototype: This is likely to be your earliest form of prototype, and can exist on something as simple as a cocktail napkin. More sophisticated sketch and diagram prototypes should be mocked up on paper using a ruler and ink to more clearly share the product’s dimensions and features with others.
- Wireframe: Wireframe prototypes are digital diagrams or layouts. They are most commonly used for websites, software, or other digital tools, and are used to navigate the structure and placement of different content.
- Physical model: Early physical models of prototypes can be made with primitive material, and are mostly used to create a rough idea of the design. These can be used for creating smaller scale concepts before moving on to real-size prototypes. This is especially useful when prototyping a board game.
- Rapid model: A rapid model is something usually created with 3D printing. These types of printers can be used to quickly create realistic models of a design with nothing but computer files. Once printed, these rough prototypes can be used to identify flaws or areas of adjustment with the physical design.
- Working model: Working model prototypes allow creators to test functionality the way the end product should be. These are commonly used for products with mechanical or electrical functions, and will be created toward the end of the prototyping phase.
With these different types of prototypes in mind, we can now examine the various steps to actually creating them.
Steps to create a prototype
Finalized versions of products are not built in a day, and the same applies to prototypes. When answering the question of how to make a prototype of an invention, it’s best to break it down into the various steps of prototyping.
1. Ideation and conceptualization
Every product starts as an idea. In this very early stage is where you’re most likely to create sketch and diagram prototypes, giving you a lot of flexibility to put several variations down on paper to give you an idea of what direction to go.
Preliminary sketches are also crucial in communicating various design concepts to others. Rough diagrams can also be used to facilitate discussions with collaborators, identify potential issues, and iterate on ideas before advancing to the physical design of the prototype.
2. Designing the prototype
After you have a rough sketch or diagram of your prototype, you can start using software tools to create a 3D model. Not only does this allow you to visualize your product from different angles, it lets you find what adjustments need to be made, as well as add details like color and texture.
Aside from the look of your invented product, the design phase must also encompass functionality. Functionality includes all of the features and capabilities that allow your product to perform its intended task in a way that satisfies the user and their experience. Secondary functions can also be mapped out to help find ways to differentiate your product from competitors.
Once you’re armed with the vision of your first prototype, as well as your digital 3D models, your prototype developer has something to work from. Professional developers are essential for highly technical aspects of products, and they can help with another important part of prototype development: material selection.
3. Choosing materials
Selecting the optimal material for your invention’s prototype is a critical step in the process. Not everyone is an expert in engineering however, so having a prototype developer can ease the stress. They can help with considerations such as:
- Functional requirements: What properties are required to meet the minimum viable functionality of your product?
- Aesthetic requirements: What materials best align with the look and feel you want to achieve while still delivering on functionality?
- Material properties: Which materials and their properties are ideal for strength, durability, flexibility, thermal conductivity, etc?
- Budget considerations: Do the materials agreed upon for the above considerations fall within your budget, and if not, what substitutes can be used?
Once your materials have been carefully chosen, you can finally proceed to building the prototype.
4. Building the prototype
Building the prototype of your invention is an exciting step since it’s your chance to finally get a tactile sample of what your end product could be. There are several ways to construct a prototype, and it largely depends on the demands of your product.
And like with material selection, consulting with a professional prototype developer can dispel many uncertainties about the best method to use for your product. They will even be able to work within your budget constraints to help you save as much money as you can to create the perfect prototype for your crowdfunding campaign.
Getting professional help
It’s not impossible to DIY your prototype, but there are several factors that make this method unfeasible. Even if you have access to the requisite raw materials and have a lot of experience building things, a lot can go wrong. Some products are naturally more complex, and therefore require a higher level of skill to construct. Additionally, certain raw materials can be expensive if you try to source them in small quantities.
Professional prototype developers are experts at what they do, and are a fantastic option for products of all types. If your product is on the complex side, requiring a lot of electronic or mechanical construction then it’s safe to recommend that you get professional help. But even if you have a simpler product, it doesn’t hurt to get quotes from various developers. Outsourcing is ultimately more costly, but you can save a lot of time and employ expertise that can lead to an incredible prototype that you can immediately start using for your pre-launch email marketing collateral.
Prototyping methods and techniques
There are several different methods a developer, or just you, can use to build your first prototype. First, let’s consider some DIY methods. These may include:
- 3D printing: As long as you have your CAD/CAM design files and access to a 3D printer, this method offers flexibility in terms of speed and material selection.
- Outsourcing and assembly: If your product has any complexities in its design that need a more professional touch, you have the option to find a contractor or freelancer who can make that part for you. You can then finish assembly on your own for the parts you’re capable of constructing.
For when you’d prefer to go with a professional developer, some prototyping methods and techniques include:
- 3D printing: While this is available to DIY creators, there are levels to the quality of 3D printers available. The best quality printers are usually used by developers, and will result in a much better prototype.
- CNC machining: This process is effective for making precise and durable prototypes from metal and plastic. What kind of materials you select will ultimately impact the price of how much this method can cost.
- Injection molding: While effective for large batches, this prototyping method may be expensive for most small creators due to its high quality.
Having some familiarity with these terms will help you when communicating with your prototype developer. Collaboration is essential in determining how you want your prototype to be when you share it with potential backers through your marketing. And perhaps most importantly for small creators, collaboration is key for choosing the method that best suits your pre-campaign spending budget.
Costs and funding for prototypes
Something important to consider is that while a successful crowdfunding campaign lets you raise funds for your first manufacturing run, you won’t be able to use those funds leading up to that point. That means it’s essential to have a clear idea of your overall budget, including how much you can spend on prototype development. While it’s great to be able to iterate as much as you want on your prototype until you find the perfect version, it’s sometimes not reasonable to spend that much time on money at this stage.
Because all creators have different financial constraints, we will explore some costs typically associated with prototyping your invention. If you can make an accurate estimate for how much the process will cost, you can more accurately budget for your pre-campaign fund allocation. Here’s a breakdown of potential costs by product class:
- 3D-Printed prototype: Because these prototypes are simple to produce, they are also quite affordable. The price range for 3D-printed prototypes is $500 to $5,000.
- Electronic prototype: Invention prototypes that require electronics are much more complex. Because of the extra time and effort that these products require, the price ranges from $10,000 to $50,000.
- Mechanical prototype: Mechanical prototypes are usually of moderate complexity for developers. Depending on the build requirements, mechanical prototyping may cost anywhere between $3,000 to $30,000.
- Fabric prototype: Prototypes for fashion and textiles are relatively quick and simple to create. If your product falls in this category, you can expect it to cost $500 to $5,000 to get it prototyped.
If you find that your product is on the expensive side to create, some funding options that we recommend include taking loans and using credit cards. Self funding is always most optimal, but it’s not always doable for every creator. No matter what your option, be sure to try keeping costs down as much as possible when prototyping.
Testing and refining the prototype
Testing and refinement are some of the key advantages of prototyping. This process involves creating preliminary versions of the prototype and evaluating things like design, user experience, functionality before moving into full-scale production — or in this case a crowdfunding campaign.
The testing phase can involve various users and stakeholders who will interact with the prototype to provide constructive feedback. And if you’re using a professional prototype developer, you should be able to use their professional opinion to remove any glaring design flaws early on. Ultimately, thorough testing and refinement early on can save potential time and money in the future if something needs to be changed after the first round of production.
Final thoughts on prototyping an invention
If your goal is to launch on Kickstarter, you will need a working prototype of your product to even get your campaign approved. And if you want to launch on another platform, there are still so many benefits to making a prototype of your invention. From being able to test and refine your product’s design, to getting expert advice on materials and build, prototyping is an effective way to get the perfect product you envisioned before moving into manufacturing after crowdfunding.
No matter where you are on your crowdfunding journey, LaunchBoom is here to offer our expertise. Whether you want to know how to get a prototype manufactured, or just want to learn more about crowdfunding in general, we’ve set up an easy way for you to get started with us. Answer a few questions and one of our product launch experts will get connected with you to learn more about how best we can help you.
How do you make a prototype of an invention: Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to prototype an invention?
How much it costs to prototype an invention depends on the type of product it is. A rough estimate can be broken down as such:
- 3D-Printed prototype: $500 to $5,000.
- Electronic prototype: $10,000 to $50,000.
- Mechanical prototype: $3,000 to $30,000.
- Fabric prototype: $500 to $5,000
What are the different ways of creating a prototype?
- 3D printing: While this is available to DIY creators, there are levels to the quality of 3D printers available. The best quality printers are usually used by developers, and will result in a much better prototype.
- CNC machining: This process is effective for making precise and durable prototypes from metal and plastic. What kind of materials you select will ultimately impact the price of how much this method can cost.
- Injection molding: While effective for large batches, this prototyping method may be expensive for most small creators due to its high quality.
- DIY: If you have enough experience in product construction and a simple enough product that you can comfortably build, you can save money by building it yourself.
What is an example of a prototype?
An example of a successful DIY prototype is the one made for The PACK Rack Kickstarter campaign. Creator Evan had a clear vision for his product, built early prototypes on his own, and started selling them independently. Seeing the success of these early iterations gave him the confidence to bring his product to crowdfunding, where a successful campaign meant he could finally manufacture his successful prototype at scale.
What is the best way to prototype your idea?
The best prototype method depends on your product. There is no one-size-fits all answer. If you’re not sure about the optimal method that fits your product, seek out help from a professional prototype developer. They offer expert insights and have access to the best machinery to make sure prototypes of all shapes, sizes, and material requirements get built.