Hobbyist and seamstress Diane created a unique invention called Seams Sew Fast. With the help of a product development and marketing company, their product has been sold in thousands of stores across the country. Making Diane’s dream come true and now enjoying an exciting life as a successful inventor. Here are the 10 steps you used with your product development company to bring your sewing crafts product to market.

# 1 – Signing of a confidentiality / nondisclosure agreement

If your invention is not patent pending or you have not received a patent, it is always a good idea to have a confidentiality / nondisclosure agreement. Decide how much information you can make public or disclose with the product development company you decide to work with.

# 2 – Submit your product concept to the product development and marketing company

You need to choose the right product development company for your invention idea. Make the choice based on their connections to large manufacturing companies or large retail stores. For example, if your idea is a household item, choose a company that has experience developing and promoting household products. You don’t want to choose a company that has no market experience related to your invention.

# 3 – Product review, notifying of possible changes

Listen to the advice of your product development company and make the recommended changes. What you should hear are changes and suggestions that would help you position your invention within a retailer’s existing family of brands. For example, the product development company may suggest changing or adding a feature that would complement an existing brand look and feel.

# 4 – Review of production and marketing possibilities

Perhaps at this point you will have to rely more on the advice of product development companies, if you are not already aware of the marketing possibilities. Marketing possibilities include who lives the customer or the end user. Also, how much the customer is willing to pay and where they buy.

# 5 – Investigate Intellectual Property Protections

It is best to do market research before applying for provisional patents or full-blown patents. Patents can be very expensive and time consuming, make sure you know what your end product will be and who will buy your invention before applying for a patent.

# 6 – Mockup Sample Making

Create a model or prototype of the invention. A working prototype of an invention is the best way to solve any problem or function of the idea. Most of the problems will arise when creating the prototype and will save a lot of money before the invention goes into full production.

# 7 – Show Products to Key Account Buyers

Pick and meet potential buyers such as manufacturing companies and large retail stores. Show the invention in person as much as possible.

# 8 – Assess the general interest in inventing products

Depending on the feedback and the willingness to buy from the account, the buyers chose the appropriate manufacturing capacity. If account buyers just want to test a small trial purchase first, it may be necessary to start manufacturing shortly before investing in expensive setup fees.

# 9 – Refuse / continue production or negotiate royalty payments

After assessing the general interest in the invention, make the decision to manufacture the product yourself or to license the invention to a retailer or manufacturing company. If you decide to make the invention yourself, you may need start-up capital or investment financing. If you decide the startup costs are too high, consider licensing the invention and negotiating royalty payments.

# 10 – Product Launch

Your invention is designed, manufactured, packaged, and ready for sale.