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Our most-read guides, one for each step of the process.
How to Find a Manufacturer to Make Your Product
You have a new product idea that you think would be a profitable addition to your existing or new business. Now what?…
What Is a Sourcing Agent? A 2025 Asia Manufacturing Guide for Brands
If you are exploring overseas manufacturing for a consumer product, you will quickly encounter the term sourcing agent. It is also commonly…
How To Turn An Idea Into A Product
The short answer: you turn an idea into a product in six stages: validate the idea, protect it, design and specify it,…
How to Calculate Your True Landed Cost Before You Start Manufacturing
Part of the IPS series on turning a product idea into a manufactured reality. Start with the complete manufacturing roadmap. One of…
Pros and Cons of Manufacturing in China
Manufacturing in China has long been a strategic choice for businesses looking to optimize production costs and scale operations efficiently. The…
Create Custom Products: A Step-by-Step Guide
In the world of product development and global sourcing, buying directly from the manufacturer can be a game-changer. It's a strategy that…
Factory Sourcing
How to find, vet and manage factories in China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Taiwan.
Safeguarding Intellectual Property: Navigating New Global Partnerships
In the competitive world of custom consumer product manufacturing, safeguarding your intellectual property (IP) is paramount. The product development and design process…
Pitfalls of Alibaba for Sourcing Product
Buyer Beware! In an increasingly globalized marketplace, businesses often turn to online platforms like Alibaba to connect with manufacturers and import…
How to Find and Vet a Manufacturer in Asia
Part of the IPS series on turning a product idea into a manufactured reality. Start with the complete manufacturing roadmap. Finding a…
How to Manage Quality Control When Manufacturing Overseas
and Part of the IPS series on turning a product idea into a manufactured reality. Start with the complete manufacturing roadmap. When…
How to Source a Factory : Complete Guide for Consumer Product Brands
Introduction Sourcing a reliable factory is one of the most critical steps in bringing a new product to market. Whether you’re an…
The 10 Most Common Problems with New Product Manufacturing at a BAD FACTORY
Your product idea is fantastic. Your design and engineering development is complete. You have placed your first purchase order with a factory…
Product Costing & Pricing
What a product really costs to make and land, from tooling and minimum orders to duties and shipping.
How to Calculate Your True Landed Cost Before You Start Manufacturing
Part of the IPS series on turning a product idea into a manufactured reality. Start with the complete manufacturing roadmap. One of…
Mastering SCM Strategies: 10 Proven Techniques to Optimize Your Supply Chain Efficiency
In today’s fast-paced business environment, mastering supply chain management (SCM) is essential for success. Companies that optimize their supply chain efficiency not…
The New Supply Chain Reality: How SMB Brands Can Navigate China+1, Factory Leverage, and IP Risk
Published by International Product Solutions (IPS) For product development teams, sourcing directors, and brand managers at emerging consumer brands Introduction: The…
Consumer & E-Commerce Products
Sourcing and private-label guidance for online sellers and consumer brands.
Guide to Product Sourcing for Online Stores: How To Get Started (2025)
In the contemporary business landscape, the e-commerce sector is burgeoning, offering myriad opportunities for entrepreneurs eager to sell products online. However, the…
Understanding White Label and Black Label Products
Updated for 2025: As global manufacturing and brand strategies evolve, the line between white label and black label products continues to blur.…
How to Source Products to Sell on Amazon FBA
Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) is one of the most powerful ways to scale an e-commerce business. By storing products in Amazon’s…
Product Development & Startups
From idea and design to prototype, plus advice for startups and crowdfunded launches.
Product Design Process: 5 Steps from Idea to Manufacturing
The product design process is a critical aspect of any business. It's the process that transforms an idea into a tangible product.…
Product Design for Manufacturing: How to Avoid Costly DFM Mistakes
Part of the IPS series on turning a product idea into a manufactured reality. Start with the complete manufacturing roadmap. Design for…
Product Development Process: Why Most Product Ideas Aren’t Ready for Manufacturing
Most teams who reach out to us believe they already have a product ready for manufacturing. In reality, what most have is…
Benefits of Contract Manufacturers for Crowdfund Startups
In the exhilarating world of crowdfunding, turning a brilliant idea into a tangible product is the ultimate goal. You've launched a campaign,…
How to get a product manufactured from product idea to production
A practical guide for startup founders and product entrepreneurs - from first sketch to factory floor. You have a product idea. Maybe…
Unleashing Innovation: How to Invent a Game-Changing Product That Disrupts the Market
Innovation is the heartbeat of successful businesses. But what does it take to invent a game-changing product that not only meets market…
See all 18 Product Development articles → · See all 3 Startup & Crowdfund Manufacturing articles →
Contract Manufacturing & Custom Molded Plastics
Working with contract manufacturers and OEM programs, quality systems and molded plastic production.
Original Equipment Manufacturer: How to Work with an OEM
Is your business in need of a custom or part or series of parts in an assembly? Partial or completely custom consumer…
Custom Molded Plastic Production: Simplify Sourcing from China and Vietnam
Creating a custom molded plastic product can be a complex process, especially when sourcing it from factories in China or Vietnam. Using…
Six Sigma Contract Manufacturing Explained Simply
When brands evaluate manufacturing partners, quality is often the top concern—but quality is frequently misunderstood. Many suppliers focus on final inspections, assuming…
See all 10 Contract Manufacturing articles → · See all 2 Custom Molded Plastics articles →
More from IPS
More articles from our team.
Unlocking Success: The Top 5 Mistakes Startups Make in Product Manufacturing Partnerships (and How to Avoid Them)
Navigating the world of product manufacturing can be a daunting task for startups. With dreams of innovation and market disruption, many entrepreneurs…
Revolutionizing Innovation: The Top Product Development Technologies Transforming Today’s Market
In a world where innovation drives success, the landscape of product development is undergoing a radical transformation. Emerging technologies are not just…
From Concept to Market: Design & Manufacturing Best Practices
At International Product Solutions (IPS), we have spent 25+ years helping companies bring innovative product ideas to life. Our expertise in custom…