How to Create a Product Prototype with Tips and Examples (2024)

Aneight-year-old girl from Mexico has won aprestigious science prize formaking asolar heater from old hoses, glass panels from aformer construction site, andlogs. Her invention will help low-income people tostop cutting down trees forfirewood, reducing theclimate change.

You’ve probably got some product ideas too. Possibly, you shelved them because you didn’t know what todonext. Well, turns out you don’t have tohave big dollars, adegree inphysics, oralab toget started with your product idea.

What you can see inthepicture above isaproduct prototype. That’s thevery step that you need totake after you’ve got aproduct idea. Aprototype gives aphysical proof ofyour product’s feasibility andmakes iteasier tospot design flaws. You can use theprototype tosecure investment, pique interest onacrowdfunding platform, andmake themanufacturing process easier.

Inthis post, we’ll walk you through astep-by-step process forcreating aproduct prototype. You’ll learn how todevelop your ideas, find manufacturers, andeven file forpatents. And yes, you can doit.

What isaProduct Prototype

Defined atit* core, aprototype isthefirst iteration ofaproduct showcasing its practicality. Itacts asapreliminary model inthree dimensions, illustrating thecapabilities ofaproduct ortheissues itcan resolve.

Aprototype serves asasneak peek orearly version ofaproduct orconcept that you intend toback andlater mass-produce.

Inlay speak, aprototype isareal-life, 3Dversion ofyour product idea.

A3Dprinted copy ofatoy design isa“prototype”, asisapaper-and-glue model ofanew tool. Ifitexists todemonstrate anidea orstudy its feasibility, you can call itaprototype.

Product Prototype Types andExamples

You can classify prototypes into four broad categories based ontheir function andcomplexity.

Visual prototype

The visual prototype ismeant toshowcase thesize andshape ofthefinal product. Itdoesn’t have thefunctionality, materials, ormass oftheproduct. Rather, itsimply represents its dimensions.

Ablock ofwood shaped intheform ofthefinal product isa“visual prototype”, asisadigital model made ina3Drendering software.

“Proof ofconcept”

This isarudimentary model meant todemonstrate thefunctions andfeasibility oftheidea, that is, toprove that theconcept can actually work. You’ll usually use materials available athand tocreate this prototype. Itdoesn’t have tolook, feel, oreven work asthefinal result; itsimply has toshow that theidea isviable.

Agreat example ofa“proof ofconcept” prototype istheoriginal design fortheSuper Soaker. Instead offancy machined parts, it’s made from PVC pipes andanempty co*ke bottle.

Presentation prototype

Asthename suggests, this isapresentation-ready version oftheproduct. Itisfunctional andhas thesame appearance astheproduct. You can show this prototype toinvestors, manufacturers, andprospective customers togive them anidea what thefinal result will look like. This prototype isusually made from custom materials andmanufacturing techniques.

You can see examples ofpresentation prototypes inconcept cars created bycar manufacturers. Since these are usually meant fordemonstration rather than production, these cars often use expensive materials andboutique manufacturing techniques.

Pre-production prototype

This isamodified version ofthepresentation prototype. Ithas thesame functionality but isbuilt using production-ready materials andmethods. Manufacturers will often look atthepre-production prototype tofigure out how tomass-produce theproduct.

Each ofthese prototypes builds ontheformer. You don’t have togothrough all four stages, ofcourse. You might gofrom aproof ofconcept built from duct tape andpaper toaproduction-ready prototype.

Why Have aProduct Prototype Made?

Prototyping, though itmay appear asatime-consuming step, actually serves asacost-saving measure inthelong term when implemented before mass production. Here’s why.

• Address potential issues proactively. Ensuring asturdy laptop bag design includes pinpointing problems such asstrap durability bycreating prototypes.
• Enhance market insights. Distributing prototypes toyour target audience influencers forfeedback before further investment inproduction can provide valuable market research.
• Mitigate business risks. Prioritize validating product demand bycapturing prototype photos pre-sales toassess demand, preventing unnecessary expenses onunproven products.
• Attract investors. Utilize prototypes toshowcase product viability topotential investors seeking assurance before committing funds, presenting tangible proof beyond abusiness plan.

How toMake Your Product Prototype

Ifyou’re reading this, you likely already have anidea foraproduct. This might beasimple sketch ontheback ofanapkin, a3Drender, oreven afully-fleshed out proof ofconcept.

Your next step istoturn this rough idea into afunctional prototype. We’ll share aprocess tohave your own prototype made.

1.Create adetailed diagram orsketch

The first step increating aprototype istocreate adetailed concept sketch ordiagram. Your objective should betocapture asmany ideas aspossible inavisual manner.

Ideally, you should have two concept sketches:

• Adesign sketch showing how theproduct might appear upon completion
• Atechnical sketch showing theproduct’s dimensions, materials, andworking.

You can use software todothis, but pen andpaper work better. You can even turn tothese pen andpaper drawings when you’re filing apatent. Feel free toexperiment andbecreative inthis step. You’re along way from manufacturing atthis point; don’t beafraid totry new things.

2.Create a3Dmodel (optional)

The next (optional) step istotransfer your concept sketches toa3Dmodeling software. This will help you (and anythird-parties such asinvestors orpartners) visualize theproduct better. You can also use this model tocreate a3Dprinted copy ofyour prototype.

Another benefit ofa3Dmodel isthat you can use augmented reality apps such asAugment.com tovisualize itinthereal world. This works particularly well todemonstrate thesize, shape, anddesign ofaproduct idea. Itcan beexpensive forasmall business that hasn’t launched yet, though.

There are anumber oftools you can use tocreate simple 3Dmodels. Shapeways has agood list ofboth free andpaid resources.

Related: How ToFind Trending Products ToSell Online

3.Create a“proof ofconcept”

Now comes thefun part: actually building theproduct idea.

How you build your first proof ofconcept will depend onanumber ofthings. Ifyou have asimple product that you’ve already modeled ina3Dsoftware, you can simply get it3Dprinted tocreate your “proof ofconcept”.

However, ifyou have acomplex product with anumber ofmechanical orelectronic parts, you’ll have toimprovise harder.

Remember that theproof ofconcept doesn’t have tolook good oreven resemble thefinal product. Itsimply has towork. You can even use common household products tocreate this early-stage model.

For more complex products, you might have toseek help from ahandyman ormachinist.

4.Create your first prototype

Your proof ofconcept shows that your product works. Your 3Dmodel shows what itmight look like.

Your next step istocombine thelearnings from theproof ofconcept and3Dmodel tocreate your first prototype.

This should beafairly detailed model that looks like your final product andhas thesame functions.

It’s not always possible tocreate this detailed first prototype alone. Depending onthecomplexity, you might want toget help from amachinist oraspecialized prototype designer.

You can use directories such asThomasNet andEngineering.com tofind prototype designers.

Since this isjust thefirst prototype, you shouldn’t worry too much about thekind ofmaterials used oreven thecost. Your objective istoget aworking model that resembles your final product.

5.Create aproduction-ready prototype

The final step before you get tomanufacturing istotrim thefat off your first prototype andget ittotheproduction-ready state.

This isessentially aprocess ofcost andfeasibility analysis. You have togothrough every part oftheprototype andfigure out ways tocut costs without compromising functionality.

Atthesame time, you should look atways toimprove theproduct’s aesthetics ordurability.

For example, you might replace anoft-used plastic part with metal, andalittle-used metal part with plastic. This will help you cut costs while still retaining quality.

Ithelps towork with amanufacturer andfigure out how different components intheprototype might impact its cost andquality. You should also look atdifferent raw materials andsee which ones are more pleasing aesthetically.

Your goal should betofind abalance between cost andquality depending onyour target customers. Ifyou’re targeting luxury buyers, forexample, quality will bemore important than cost. For budget customers, itwill betheopposite.

Once you have aproduction-ready prototype, you can find amanufacturer andstart selling your idea totheworld.

Tips toFollow When Creating Your Product Prototype

Prototyping anidea from scratch can becomplex, especially forafirst-time maker. Following these tips will make theprocess much smoother:

1.Create alist ofpriority features

It’s inevitable that your final product won’t have all thefeatures you envisioned inyour original idea. Cost andmaterial constraints mean that you’ll have tocut down onsome expensive features.

Therefore, when you’re designing your first prototype, segregate all thefeatures into three categories:

• Need tohave: These are features you absolutely need fortheproduct towork. For example, “portable storage” would beaneed-to-have feature inaniPod.
• Good tohave: These are features that would help your product stand out, but aren’t essential forits functioning. For example, the“click wheel” was agood-to-have feature intheiPod. Itmade theiPod much easier touse but wasn’t essential toits running.
• Not needed: These are features that are superfluous totheproduct anddon’t add much intheway ofappeal orutility. Often, these features are too expensive toimplement aswell. You can safely discard these features inyour design.

Try tohave asmany need tohave features aspossible inyour final design.

2.Sign NDAs andfile patents

You’ll inevitably turn toaprototype designer, machinist, 3Dmodeler, etc. inthecourse ofdeveloping your prototype.

Ifyour idea isinnovative, soon enough you can discover someone selling itonAliExpress foramuch lower price. Even ifthey don’t copy theproduct idea, they might copy anew design orproduction technique that you developed.

Toprotect yourself from intellectual property theft, you can take thefollowing steps:

1. File apatent fortheproduct idea anddesign.
2. Ask all third-parties tosign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

NOLO has abeginner’s guide onfiling your own patent, though ideally, you’ll want togothrough apatent attorney.

Tocreate NDAs, refer tothis template.

3.Keep costs inmind when designing

One ofthebiggest challenges increating aprototype isbalancing utility andcost. You want theproduct tofulfill its promised functions, but you also want tosell itatareasonable price. Anexceptional product that your customers can’t afford isbound tofail.

Atevery stage inthedesign process, ask yourself two questions:

• Isthis part necessary?
• Ifyes, what isthecheapest material tomake itwithout sacrificing utility?

The cost ofmaterials varies widely, even among materials inthesame category (such as“plastic” or“metal”). Keep this inmind when you’re designing your product.

4.Use standard manufacturing techniques

Another reason forcost overruns between prototype tofinal product istheuse ofcustom manufacturing techniques.

Essentially, anyfactory that builds your product will use some industry standard manufacturing processes (such as“injection moulding”). Ifyour product can’t bemanufactured using them, thefactory will have tocreate customized techniques andtrain its staff touse them.

This can add substantially totheproduction cost, especially ifyou’re manufacturing insmall batches.

Therefore, when you’re designing your prototype, keep aclose eye onthekind ofmanufacturing process each part will require. Ifafeature requires aheavily customized production technique, consider removing it. Aprototype designer ormachinist should beable tohelp you figure this out.

Related: What Your Business Plan Should Look Like: Sample

5.Borrow ideas from competitors

Taking apart your competitors’ products can give you adetailed understanding ofwhat works, what doesn’t when making aproduct. This can beamassive help indesigning your own idea.

Therefore, before you start creating your prototype, take aclose look atyour competitors’ products. Analyze their materials, design, andmanufacturing techniques. Look forflaws andopportunities.

6.Test your product prototype

Testing aprototype isanessential part ofcreating aproduct. It’ll help you identify weak spots inyour prototype andavoid going over abudget: it’s cheaper tofix aprototype than afinal product. Not tomention, you’ll get valuable insights from real people andimprove your product toavoid negative feedback after you launch it.

You can test your prototype yourself andask your friends toparticipate before you test externally.

When testing your prototype, besure to:

• Determine what exactly you are going totest. “Iwant totest myprototype” istoo vague. “Iwant tofind out ifpeople can use myproduct totransport cakes safely,”— that’ll help you evaluate your prototype’s potential.
• Invite theright audience totest your prototype. Ideally, itshould beyour target audience. For example, ifyou’re creating aproduct forstudents, itmakes sense tooffer them totry it.
• Set aclear task forpeople. It’s better tooffer them arealistic scenario sothat they understand what exactly they need totest. For example: “It’s your birthday party. You’re looking foraboard game that has simple rules andissuitable forall ages. Play this game tosee ifitsuits your requirements.”

Here are possible questions toask your testers:

• What doyou like about this product?
• When would you use this product?
• What would you change about this product?
• Would you recommend ittoafriend?
• Would you choose this over similar products that exist onthemarket? Explain why.

What’s Next?

Creating andtesting aproduct prototype brings you one step closer tolaunching your product onthemarket. Make sure toprepare forthat inadvance: build anonline presence foryour business, starting with awebsite.

With Ecwid E-commerce, you can dothat yourself, without anyhelp from designers ordevelopers. Choose what suits your business themost:

• Set upane-commerce site— here’s how tocreate one forfree without tech experience
• Add anonline store toyour existing site
• Or, create anonline store without awebsite— it’s totally possible!

Want tolearn more about patenting anew product andmanufacturing it? Learn from fellow Ecwid merchants! After knee andback surgeries, Angela Brathwaite found herself looking foraportable travel urinal but couldn’t find one. Soshe designed andpatented one herself!

Listen toour podcast with Angela tolearn how she created aproblem-solving product forthousands ofwomen andgirls.

Have you ever designed your product? We’d love tohear your story inthecomments below!

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