Have An Invention? Turn Your Idea Into A Product With These Tips

Have An Invention? Turn Your Idea Into A Product With These Tips

While it may be hard to believe, every product on the market today has started out as some kind of idea. From the latest and greatest mobile app to your new kitchen blender, most products you purchase came to life through the process of invention. If the light bulb above your head is glowing with a brilliant idea, you may be thinking about bringing your invention to life. While the road from the product concept to the finished product can be long and daunting, there are certain things you can do to help the invention process go smoothly.

At United Global Sourcing, we’re passionate about offering turnkey solutions for your manufacturing and fabrication needs. Whether you have an idea for a new automotive accessory or sporting good, we can help you find the best manufacturer for your application. From the initial product design to prototyping and packaging, we can help you turn your brilliant idea into a reality. If you’re interested in learning more about our supply chain management services, contact our friendly staff today.

Tip #1: Document Your Idea Or Invention

If you have a brilliant idea, it doesn’t do anyone any good by holding it in! Simply having a brilliant idea for an invention is worthless unless you have proof of your idea. With that being said, make sure you write down and document anything you think of. The very first step in patenting any idea is to keep it from being stolen by someone else. The “poor man’s patent” is something that many new inventors take advantage of. This “patent” involves writing your idea down on a piece of paper and mailing it to yourself in a sealed envelope. What does this do? It gives you dated proof of your invention’s concept!

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Tip #2: Conduct Market Research

Turning your amazing idea into a reality can be a bit more complicated than you might think. Before you spend all of your savings on creating the actual product, make sure you conduct some market research to make sure there is a demand for your idea. Some questions to ask yourself may include:

  • Are people currently purchasing products similar to your idea?
  • Where are these products being sold?
  • Who is buying these products?

Answering the above questions will give you a solid idea of who your target market is, and it will allow you to see who your competition is. Another thing you may want to consider doing is a patent search. Just because you haven’t seen your invention on the market, doesn’t mean it doesn’t already exist. If you’re interested in hiring a patent attorney or agent, make sure you conduct your own rudimentary search at The United States Patent and Trademark Office. On their website, you can investigate any patents on items similar to the one you want to invent.

Once you determine whether or not there is a market for your product, it’s time to start thinking about manufacturing and distribution. Make sure your product can be manufactured and distributed at a low cost, so your retail price can be reasonable. If you’re not sure what to price your product at, compare it to similar products on the market.

Tip #3: Find A Manufacturing Company That You Can Trust

Next, it’s time to start looking for a trustworthy and reputable manufacturing company that you can work with on your idea. Before you choose the first company you find, make sure to do a little research on the various manufacturing facilities available (both within the United States and overseas). Ask different companies to send them a portfolio of clients that they have worked with in the past.

At United Global Sourcing, we can help you take the guesswork out of finding a reliable manufacturing and fabrication company. Unlike most supply chain management companies, that will simply connect you with a manufacturer and disappear, we take pride in providing our clients with a 24-hour communication cycle so they are always in the know. This helps us to quickly identify and address issues early on in the prototyping process, to ensure your deliverables are of the utmost quality.

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Tip #4: Create A Product Prototype

One of the most essential steps in the inventing process is creating a prototype. But what is a prototype? A three-dimensional version of your product that people can touch, feel, and explore. While creating the actual prototype can be very fun, it is also one of the most rewarding steps you’ll take in the invention process. Whether you plan to make your prototype at home or you’re thinking about hiring a supply chain management company like United Global Sourcing, it’s very exciting to see your idea transformed into a tangible object!

When you begin the prototyping process, remember that the fewer parts your product has, the better. A general rule of thumb is to use as few parts as possible to create a cohesive and appealing design.

The Advantages Of Creating A Prototype

There are many advantages to prototyping your product, and at United Global Sourcing, we understand the unique challenges that come along with the prototyping process. When you work with our professionals, we’ll do everything we can to pair you with the perfect manufacturing or fabrication company that suits your needs. We can help you produce your prototype in a variety of ways using final, similar or composite materials, depending on your lead time and individual needs.

Let’s take a look at some of the advantages of creating a prototype below.

Refine The Functionality Of Your Prototype

Making a prototype of your idea offers a variety of benefits. If you’re like most inventors, you may come to the realization that while your product works perfectly in theory, it’s much more challenging to fine tune it physically. When you get your first physical prototype back from the manufacturing company, it will give you the opportunity to test the actual functionality of your idea. It’s hard to predict what design issues and challenges you’ll face when you have your prototype, but it’s a wonderful way to see your idea come to life.

Determine The Best Materials

One part of the invention process that many people struggle with is determining what the best materials are to fabricate your idea. If you’ve inventing a riveting dog comb for dogs, and you feel that it should be made of a durable metal, you may change your mind if you realize that plastic performs better for your product. Another thing to keep in mind is the cost of your application. Making your dog comb out of metal may be significantly more expensive than plastic, and the prototyping stage can help you decide which material should ultimately be used.

United Global Sourcing: Your Supply Chain Management Partner

If you have a brilliant idea and you’re ready to bring it to fruition, contact the friendly staff at United Global Sourcing today. We specialize in a variety of manufacturing and fabrication needs, and we can help you through all aspects of the product concept and design process. If you’re thinking about having your product professionally packaged, we can help with that as well. If you’re interested in learning more about our supply chain management services or you’d like to learn more about our industrial manufacturing options, contact us today!