How to Produce an Invention

Turn your invention into reality.

An invention always begins with a prototype, or example, of an invention idea. This is the first step to producing an invention. Building a prototype helps turn your idea into reality and it gives you something tangible to show a manufacturer who can help you reproduce your idea. Be sure to apply for a Provisional Patent Application (PPA) with the US Patent and Trademark Office to protect your invention for one year while you work on producing your invention.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pencil
• Foam
• Cardboard
• Air-dried clay

Instructions

1. Draw your invention idea on a piece of paper. Label all the parts, both working and non-working. Make notes in the margins describing how the invention will operate.

2. Decide whether you want to make a rough, non-working prototype to show to a manufacturer or whether you want to make a well-developed, fully-working prototype. If you present a manufacturer with a rough prototype, you will still have to have the manufacturer create a final working prototype before you talk about manufacturing the invention on a large scale.

3. Choose flexible craft and household materials such as foam, paper, cardboard, air-dried clay or any other materials you think will accurately portray your prototype. Make your prototype based on your drawing.

4. Select a manufacturer who can help you make a quality final prototype. You can find manufacturers on ThomasNet by state and specialty.

5. Find out what each manufacturer charges to make a final prototype.

6. Give your drawing and rough prototype to your selected manufacturer and ask the company to make your final prototype.

7. Examine the manufacturer's prototype very carefully and make any needed adjustments before placing an order.

References

• Startup Nation: Getting an Invention Prototype Built

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• ThomasNet