Setting Up for Manufacturing: Supply Chain, Samples, and First Orders

You’ve finalised your design, tested your prototype, and refined it for manufacturing. That’s a big milestone.

But the journey to getting your product into people’s hands doesn’t end with design — it continues with production. And that means setting up a reliable, scalable, and cost-effective manufacturing supply chain.

This post is about what happens next — from finding the right suppliers, to testing samples, to placing your first production order with confidence.

Setting up a correct supply chain is critical for cost-effective and efficient manufacturing and peace of mind.

Manufacturing Isn’t Just About Making Things

When people think about manufacturing, they often imagine machines on factory floors or rows of workers assembling parts. But that’s just one piece of it.

Manufacturing is a process — and setting it up properly is about managing risk, quality, and timing. You’re not just trying to make something once; you’re trying to make it consistently, reliably, and at a price that makes business sense.

That’s why supply chain setup is a critical phase — and why it should be treated with the same level of care as design and prototyping.

Step 1: Finding the Right Suppliers

The first question is: who’s going to build this for you?

If you’ve made your prototypes in-house or with local workshops, you’ll now need to find a production partner with the capability to manufacture at scale. That could mean injection moulders, PCB fabricators, assembly houses, or metal forming specialists — depending on your product.

This isn’t just about getting quotes. It’s about finding a good fit — someone who understands your design, can meet your quality standards, and has a track record of delivering on time.

At CRINNAC, we usually begin with a shortlist of 2–3 suppliers for each key part or assembly. We base this on:

• Experience with similar products or materials

• Technical capabilities (equipment, tolerances, certifications)

• Willingness to engage early and ask questions

• Responsiveness and communication style

• Pricing — but balanced with reliability

This is often where early-stage companies make mistakes — they chase the cheapest quote without checking if the supplier can actually deliver consistently. And the cost of a bad batch? Much higher than a slightly more expensive supplier.

Step 2: Sharing the Right Documentation

Once you’ve selected a few candidates, you’ll need to share your technical package. This should include:

• Final CAD files or Gerber files

• Engineering drawings with tolerances

• BOM (Bill of Materials)

• Assembly guides (if applicable)

• Finishing or colour specs

• Target volumes and delivery timelines

The clearer and more complete your information is, the smoother the quoting process — and the fewer surprises later on.

If you’re unsure whether your files are production-ready, it’s worth having a design review or DFM check before you engage suppliers. Incomplete or non-manufacturable files lead to delays and misunderstandings.

Step 3: Pre-Production Samples

Once a supplier is selected and briefed, the next step is sampling.

This is where the supplier produces a small batch of parts — typically using the actual tooling, materials, and processes planned for full production.

These samples serve a few critical functions:

• Confirm the supplier understands the requirements

• Identify manufacturing-related design issues

• Check surface finishes, fit, and tolerances

• Evaluate packaging and protection

• Validate functional performance (if assembled)

Think of them as your first real-world test of the design–manufacturing partnership.

And here’s the golden rule: never skip the sample stage. Even if your prototype worked perfectly, changes in tooling, material sourcing, or production methods can introduce unexpected issues.

It’s much cheaper and easier to fix those problems now than after 5,000 units are on the water.

Step 4: Reviewing and Approving the Samples

When the samples arrive, take the time to inspect and test them thoroughly.

At CRINNAC, we usually start by:

• Comparing parts against the engineering drawings

• Checking critical dimensions with callipers or jigs

• Assembling the parts to check fit and alignment

• Running basic stress or function tests

• Documenting any issues or deviations

We’ll then present the results to the client — often along with recommendations for design tweaks or supplier feedback — and get formal approval before production begins.

In some cases, you may need a second round of samples after adjustments. That’s completely normal.

Remember, this stage isn’t about being picky — it’s about preventing costly mistakes later.

Step 5: Placing the First Order

Once the samples are approved, you’re ready to place your first production order.

This might be:

• A pilot batch (small volume) to test the market

• A limited run to fulfil early sales or crowdfunding rewards

• A full production order if you’re confident in demand and process

Before placing the order, it’s smart to confirm:

• Lead times and delivery terms

• Payment milestones (deposit, balance, shipping)

• Quality assurance processes

• Packaging requirements

• Export/import regulations if applicable

You should also prepare:

• Inventory management (if warehousing yourself)

• Logistics (freight or courier partners)

• Customer delivery timelines (if preselling or launching)

This is also the moment to put in place a relationship management system — whether it’s regular check-ins with your supplier, shared production dashboards, or monthly QA reports.

Production isn’t “set and forget.” It’s ongoing — and how you manage that relationship will affect your costs, timelines, and product quality.

Final Thoughts

Setting up for manufacturing is one of the most exciting — and often underestimated — parts of the product journey.

It’s where you shift from building a few to building many. And done well, it sets the foundation for success, scale, and sustainable business growth.

At CRINNAC, we don’t just design — we guide clients through this entire transition. From shortlisting suppliers, to managing sampling, to verifying quality — we’ve built the systems and relationships that help turn great prototypes into great products.

And as always, if you’re unsure where to start or need a second opinion before you pull the trigger on manufacturing — we’re here to help.