Developing a new product
From first sketch to first series
We bring your idea to a production-ready design and a reliable series: concept, engineering, mold, and production under one roof.
Developing a new product is more than just drawing a nice shape. It's about choosing a form so that it is reliable, affordable, and comes out of the mold on time.
That’s why we consider from the very first sketch how you are going to make it. Not as an afterthought, but as a starting point. That’s what we mean by we think in molds. Wherever you enter, the process ends in the same place: a series that is right every time.
Where are you now?
You have an idea, but no design yet
Then we take over the design for you via our design outsourcing service and start drawing in the direction of the mold from day one.
You have a CAD design or working prototype
Then we make it production-ready for injection molding: wall thickness, draft, material selection, and tolerances, validated with mold flow.
You already make small batches and want to move to series
Then we translate your 3D print or handwork into a mold and a stable unit price, without your product losing its character.
How we approach it
One party, from first idea to series
In most processes, design and production are with different parties. Every handover costs time, money, and information. With us, the process runs under one roof: our engineers in Duiven and our mold makers in our own factory work from the same question. How do we make this product so that every series is right?
At every step, we apply Design for Manufacturing , so your cost price and quality are determined early on. And if things don’t go as planned? Before we even put a mold in the machine, we perform mold-flow analysis, material validation, and DfM checks. If a product is not produced as designed, you get your investment back.
The best idea is the idea you can make.
We translate it into a design that works both on paper and in production. One team, one chain, one point of contact.
From concept to series in six steps
Every step checks manufacturability, so you never encounter surprises on the production floor.
Concept and feasibility
We immediately check your idea for manufacturability and cost range, so you know early whether and how it fits into a mold.
Design and engineering
Form, function, and ergonomics together with the DfM choices, in one integrated design that is ready for the mold.
Prototyping and validation
We validate form, material, and wall thickness and simulate the filling with mold-flow before any steel is milled.
Mold making
We build the mold in-house. If you purchase it, you are the owner and receive the ownership certificate.
Series production
Injection molding on energy-efficient machines in our own factory, sweet spot 500 to 20,000 pieces.
Optimization
Once in series, we continue to focus on unit price and quality with material optimization and cost-down processes.
Want to know more about the choices that determine your cost price? Read how we Design for Manufacturing apply, or view the injection molding process.
Makers who have already gone through this process
Three products that came in as ideas or prototypes and went out as series.
From concept to award-winning product
Together with GIZMO, we developed the Litter Box from the first concept to series production. The result won the iF Design Award 2025.
"They think along with you in everything and are able to bring ideas to reality. A very reliable partner that thinks in solutions."
Gijs RaaijmakersGIZMO Design Read the case study
From 3D print prototype to injection-molded product
A working prototype made production-ready for injection molding, including mold and series.
Read the case study
A tea dispenser where technical and design come together beautifully
From dosing mechanism to design, developed in one process, and awarded the iF Design Award 2025.
Read the case studySee all cases from all processes and sectors.
Developing a new product in brief
Can QDP guide my idea from sketch to series?+
Yes. Product development, engineering, mold making, and injection molding are all under one roof with us. You have a single point of contact from the first sketch to the first series, without handover between separate parties.
I don't have a design yet, just an idea. Is that possible?+
Definitely. If you don’t have your own design capacity, we take over the design via our design outsourcing service and apply Design for Manufacturing from day one, so the idea immediately moves toward a feasible product.
I come with a 3D print prototype. Can you scale that up?+
Yes. Many clients come with a working prototype. Our role starts with making it production-ready for injection molding: draft, wall thickness, material behavior, and manufacturability, so the prototype becomes a reliable series.
What does it cost to develop a new product?+
That depends on complexity and series. The mold starts from 3,000 euros, with a focus between 3,000 and 5,000 euros. Calculate your mold and unit price in two minutes.
How many pieces do I need to order?+
The sweet spot is between 500 and 20,000 pieces per run, but million-piece series and smaller batches are also possible. We think along with you about the series that suits your business case.
Ready to make your idea?
Calculate your mold and unit price in 2 minutes, or schedule a no-obligation brainstorm with our engineers.