Buyer takeaway
Start custom tooling after the appearance, functional interfaces and approval plan are agreed. Treat design approval, tool trials and production approval as separate decisions.
Buyer decision table
| Decision point | What to specify or verify |
|---|---|
| Design freeze | Approve drawings for reservoir fit, nozzle position, sensor opening and assembly access. Record surface finish, color targets and the parts that use a new mold. |
| Tool trial and corrections | Inspect trial parts for fit, visible marks and assembly repeatability. Record changes in a revision list and retest the complete unit when the corrections affect sealing or sensing. |
| Launch approval | Approve a dated reference sample with its artwork and packaging. Agree tooling ownership, change approvals and which records are required for the first production run. |
Detailed guide
Define the commercial brief
Explain where the product will be sold and what makes the concept useful for your customer.
Agree development responsibilities
Identify who supplies the appearance requirements, engineering inputs, artwork and approvals. Clarify tooling ownership, project confidentiality and any exclusivity terms.
Evaluate the prototype
Use a written list of requirements to review the sample. Confirm whether changes affect tooling, cost, packaging or timing.
Approve production details
Confirm the final model, artwork, packaging, agreed test plan and sample approval before production.