Frequently Asked Questions

IPS only works with vetted, long-standing factory partners. Every factory in our network is inspected for safety, environmental practices, technical capability, and social responsibility.

Yes, factory visits can be arranged depending on your location and the factory's policies. IPS also provides regular updates, photos, and production reports to keep you in the loop.

Absolutely. In addition to China, we have factories and manage production in Vietnam, Taiwan, Cambodia and Thailand — diversifying risk and giving you the best sourcing options based on your product's needs.

IPS handles issues directly with the factory on your behalf. Our team has boots on the ground and long-term relationships that help us resolve problems quickly and protect your timeline and investment. We represent your company's interests at every step.

Manufacturing in China remains viable for many product categories, but tariff uncertainty and supply chain risk have made diversification increasingly important. IPS manages production across China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Taiwan — allowing us to shift sourcing based on your product type, tariff exposure, and risk tolerance. For products heavily impacted by U.S.-China tariffs, we can often source from Vietnam or Cambodia with significant cost advantages.

Our engineers and designers use industry-standard tools like SolidWorks and Fusion 360 to develop high-precision CAD models and manufacturable designs.

As involved as you want! We collaborate closely with you on feedback, revisions, and approvals. You'll see renderings and prototypes before anything moves to production.

That's totally fine — that's what we're here for. We'll walk you through the design process, explain technical decisions, and ensure your product is functional and ready for production.

Yes! IPS offers full packaging and graphic design services — from dielines to custom inserts — to ensure your product looks great on the shelf or online.

IPS produces prototypes in various materials including 3D-printed plastic, CNC-machined parts, silicone, textiles, and more. We match the method to your product type and stage of development.

Typically 1–3 rounds of prototypes are enough. We test functionality, fit, and aesthetics before finalizing your design for tooling and production.

Prototype costs are quoted separately but are always explained upfront. IPS works to keep prototyping cost-effective and efficient.

Yes. If you've already built a prototype, we can review it, suggest improvements, and prepare it for mass production.

We evaluate material availability, technical capability, cost, factory reliability, and shipping logistics to choose the best-fit country — whether that's China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Cambodia or Thailand.

Yes. Our buying power, established relationships, and in-country teams help secure better pricing, quality, and accountability than going it alone.

Products with labor-intensive assembly, textiles, or certain plastics and electronics often benefit from Vietnam or Taiwan due to cost and trade advantages.

Risks include quality issues, communication gaps, and delays. IPS reduces those by managing every detail — from factory selection and negotiation to quality control and shipping.

U.S. tariffs on goods imported from China can add 25–145% to your landed cost depending on the product category and current trade policy. IPS helps clients navigate this by identifying the correct HTS codes for their products, evaluating alternative sourcing countries like Vietnam or Cambodia where tariff rates are lower, and planning shipment timing around policy changes. We stay current on trade compliance so you don't have to.

IPS performs pre-production sample reviews, in-line inspections during production, and final random inspections before shipment. Our team verifies materials, dimensions, functionality, and appearance — every order, every time.

Yes. IPS provides quality inspection reports, photos, and detailed documentation so you can review and approve before your product ships.

IPS takes quality seriously. If any product arrives with defects that were not approved, we handle resolution directly with the factory and work to replace or rework affected units quickly.

We maintain production consistency through detailed spec sheets, supplier training, repeat inspections, and ongoing communication with our factory partners.

DFM is the process of designing a product so it can be manufactured efficiently, reliably, and cost-effectively. IPS applies DFM principles during the engineering phase to identify potential production issues before tooling is created — saving time and money down the line.

DFMEA (Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) is a structured process for identifying potential failure points in a product design before manufacturing begins. IPS uses DFMEA thinking to anticipate weak points, material failures, and assembly issues early — so your product performs reliably in the real world.

Yes. IPS offers full logistics support — from freight booking to customs clearance and final delivery. You can focus on selling while we manage the supply chain.

Not at all. We'll explain any terms you're unsure of and recommend the best Incoterms for your project. IPS can quote door-to-door pricing with no surprises.

Absolutely. IPS is experienced with Amazon FBA compliance and can label, pack, and ship directly to Amazon or any U.S.-based fulfillment center.

Standard ocean freight takes 25–40 days depending on the port and time of year. Air freight typically takes 7–10 days. IPS helps you plan ahead and avoid costly delays.

Yes. IPS works with experienced licensed customs brokers and can assist with HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) code classification for your product. Correct classification is critical — it determines your duty rate and affects landed cost significantly. We help clients navigate this early in the sourcing process so there are no surprises at the border.

IPS evaluates your product's sourcing options with tariff impact in mind from the start. This includes identifying the right country of origin, confirming HTS classifications, and in some cases restructuring supply chains to shift production to lower-tariff countries like Vietnam or Cambodia. We also stay current on trade policy changes — including Section 301 tariffs and IEEPA actions — so we can advise clients proactively.

Yes. We specialize in creating differentiated, custom-designed products that help e-commerce brands stand out from generic private-label competitors.

Definitely. Many of our clients sell on Shopify, Amazon, and other online platforms. We design with shipping, packaging, and customer experience in mind.

Minimums vary by product type and factory, but we help you find the lowest feasible MOQ that makes sense for your business. Some products start as low as 500 units.

Yes. We design and produce custom packaging that enhances unboxing experiences, reinforces branding, and looks great on social media.

Private label means putting your brand on an existing product a factory already makes. Custom manufacturing means designing a product from scratch to your specifications. IPS specializes in custom manufacturing — giving you a product competitors can't easily copy — but we can also help with private label sourcing if speed to market is the priority.

The most reliable path is working with an experienced sourcing partner rather than searching Alibaba directly. IPS vets factories, manages quality control, handles logistics, and ensures your product meets Amazon's compliance requirements — all things that are extremely difficult to manage on your own when sourcing overseas for the first time.

Both. IPS works with solo entrepreneurs launching their first product as well as established e-commerce brands scaling their catalog. Our cost-plus model means no large upfront consulting fees — we earn our margin through production, making us accessible to smaller sellers who are just getting started.

IPS bridges that gap. We take your concept, refine the design, prototype it, and manage all manufacturing and logistics to deliver rewards to your backers on time.

Absolutely. We provide cost estimates, lead times, and production plans so you can confidently set your crowdfunding goals and reward tiers.

No problem. Post-campaign revisions are common, and our design and engineering team works with you to refine the product before it goes to production.

Yes. IPS has helped several crowdfunded creators turn prototypes into fully manufactured products, supporting both first-time inventors and experienced entrepreneurs.

The most common mistakes are underestimating tooling costs, setting unrealistic delivery timelines, and not accounting for shipping and import duties in their reward pricing. IPS helps creators avoid these pitfalls by providing realistic cost and timeline estimates before the campaign launches — so you're not making promises to backers you can't keep.

Both. IPS works with everyone from first-time inventors and Kickstarter creators to Fortune 500 brands. Our cost-plus model makes us accessible to smaller clients because there are no large upfront consulting fees — we earn our margin through production. Many of our longest-standing client relationships started with a single product idea.