For Product Founders Going From Prototype to Small Batch
Test the idea with 5 pieces before you commit to 5,000. Then scale with the same shop and the same tolerances.
Brass pendant being engraved on the fiber laser
What this usually looks like
Overseas manufacturing wants a four-figure minimum before you know whether the product works. We sit in front of that step: build a real prototype you can hold, iterate the material and finish, split a test launch across several designs, and only then scale. Founders come to us with pins, tiles, layered acrylic, and technical assemblies — usually with a deadline and a tight first budget.
This page is for you if…
- Founders validating a physical product before committing to volume
- Teams that need a US-based partner for small batches (5 – 1,000 units)
- Anyone iterating on material, thickness, layering, or finish
- Test launches that must be split across multiple SKUs
Work People Have Actually Asked Us For
Paraphrased from real quote requests, with client details removed.
UV printed pop-art metal pins
1.5" circular pins on black nickel with rubber clutches — a 50–100 piece test launch split across several designs instead of 50 of each.
Premium layered acrylic mahjong tiles
5–10 unique tile designs at 0.87 x 1.25 x 0.60" with engraved artwork, multi-color decoration, and polished edges, evaluated before committing to a full line.
Small-batch to volume textile markers
A 3"–8" layered product with technical fabrics, adhesive layers, and hook backing, scoped to scale from 50 to 1,000 units.
How We'd Run Your Project
Discovery call or detailed brief — target dimensions, material, finish, and volume path.
Design and prototyping block: 1–5 test runs so you can compare options physically.
Locked spec sheet with material, tolerances, and per-unit price at each volume tier.
First production batch, then repeat runs with the same saved setup.
What Projects Like Yours Usually Run
Rates below assume 10+ units with standard logo or design elements.
Keychains
UV print on acrylic, wood, or metal
$2 – $5 each
10" x 10" panel
UV printed and laser cut to shape
$15 – $25 each
Custom puzzle board
Laser cut + UV print, up to 12 x 12"
$20 – $40 each
Design & prototyping
1–5 test runs, up to 2 hours of studio time
$50 – $100
Typical spend: $50 – $100 for the prototyping block, then per-unit pricing at your chosen volume. See the full rate card →
How We Usually Work Together
Beyond a single order — the arrangements that fit this kind of work.
White-label "Powered by Maker Print Lab"
We produce behind your brand. Neutral or your-branded packaging, your inserts, your customer experience. We stay invisible unless you want the credit line.
Prototype to production partner
Start with a handful of test pieces, iterate on material and finish, then scale into repeat batches with the same setup and the same tolerances.
Wholesale & repeat batch accounts
Recurring runs at agreed rates with a saved setup, so reorders skip the setup step and go straight to production.
Questions We Get From This Group
How much does prototyping cost?
$50 – $100 covers design work, prototyping, and 1–5 test runs up to about two hours of studio time, depending on the project. Complex multi-part assemblies are quoted separately.
Can you scale past a few hundred units?
Yes. Our F2 Ultra runs at production speed, and we plan batch runs across machines. Volumes into the thousands are quoted per project.
Is there a setup fee for each new design?
There's a small per-design setup within a batch, and it disappears on reorders because we save the approved job.
Do you sign NDAs?
Yes, before we see anything sensitive. Just mention it in your quote request.
Other Projects We Handle
Etsy & handmade sellers
You're selling faster than you can hand-cut and hand-paint. We take over production without touching your brand.
Corporate branding & promo
Your logo, permanently printed on the things people actually keep — bottles, coolers, notebooks, keychains, and plates.
Weddings & events
Table numbers, signage, stir sticks, favors, and giveaways — cut and printed to match your palette exactly.