Manufacturing in China from Scratch: Where to Start and Who Can Help?
The path of any product developer often leads to China — whether you're launching corporate merchandise or a new smartphone model. But how do you find factories and start production in such a vast country?
The RUKI team answers the most common questions.
Whether it's a smartphone case or a supercomputer component, most products, regardless of complexity, are fully or partially made in China. Previously, developers spent months creating prototypes and conducting tests, turning to factories only at the stage of preparing for mass production. Today, thanks to e-commerce platforms and expedited logistics, you can connect with Chinese contractors at the earliest stages of development. And the earlier this process starts, the better.
I Want to Manufacture a Product in China. Where Do I Start?
Product development can be divided into four stages: idea formation, design, engineering, and validation. In the initial stage, you can use available tools to create a proof-of-concept prototype from cheap components, gather feedback, and test initial hypotheses. This is how most developers we work with operate.
For instance, the first model of the Mishiko smart dog tracker was made from styrofoam. Prototypes of the aluminum hook for routine tasks from Safer were cut out of cardboard.
At the design and engineering stage, if you’re creating a complex product, you’ll likely need to order components from China. You can buy a few ready-made parts on AliExpress, or get bulk custom orders from Alibaba. If you plan to buy finished products in China and sell them under your own brand with a logo, head to Alibaba as well.
Sellers on the platform usually know English but prefer to negotiate in Chinese. If a client writes in English and requests a small batch of a complex product, sellers often quickly lose interest and stop responding.
While working on the design, start researching and selecting specialized factories. You can search on Alibaba, but many intermediaries are on the platform, making it hard to find direct production contacts. Pay attention to the seller's account assortment: the wider it is, the more likely you’re dealing with a trading company.
Overall, research is labor-intensive because you need to contact each contractor personally to clarify their production resources, terms, and timing for providing samples and batches.
Without agents, this stage is difficult: communication will be in Chinese. One negotiation cycle is usually not enough — you need to keep the dialogue going, make sample adjustments, and control the work results on-site.
Large companies typically appoint a dedicated manager for all communications with the Chinese side. Startup founders usually don’t have this option, so they either negotiate themselves or turn to a specialized agency.
Can I Conduct the Research Myself?
Yes, if you know English or Chinese and understand where and how to search for factories.
It depends on the product. If you plan to release simple smartphone cases with a custom print, choosing the best manufacturer with an optimal price-quality ratio is not a problem. Basic English and a template letter to suppliers on Alibaba are enough.
If you’re making a complex product, especially electronics, you’ll need to coordinate several dozen contractors. For instance, in one of our researches, we initially selected 50 factories of one profile. Only four were able to fulfill the task, then two more realized they couldn’t. In the end, only two out of 50 potential contractors remained.
Creating a complex product usually involves several factories of different profiles, and research is needed for each separately. It doesn’t matter if you’re creating a device from scratch or using ready-made electronic components.
When we created the Mishiko smart collars, for the second version, we found a factory specializing in GPS trackers. But they didn’t produce suitable cases, straps, accessories, packaging, and other components — we had to select these productions separately.
Typically, the preliminary factory selection process takes 10-14 days and costs $1,000 - $3,000. Research doesn’t require being in China and can be organized at the earliest stage. The more thoroughly the concept, design, and prototype are developed, the more accurate the research will be. For instance, if you already have engineering documentation ready, you can start selecting factories to produce the first samples — this is already a step towards mass production.
What Else Do Agents in China Do Besides Research?
Agents are involved in all stages of product development: they select factories and negotiate, help prepare or adjust technical documentation with the potential manufacturer, conclude contracts, protect intellectual property, control quality, assist with certification and logistics. You can use the entire service comprehensively or perform specific tasks.
What Documentation Should Be Prepared in Advance?
This depends on the type and complexity of the product. At the initial stage, it’s recommended to clearly formulate the technical specifications, additionally describe the task in English, and decide on the estimated circulation and potential manufacturers (if conducting research independently).
For each project, we separately compile a list of technical documentation, considering which data can and cannot be transmitted to third parties.
At the first stage, it’s better not to provide manufacturers with documents containing your intellectual property if it’s not protected under international law.
The document format depends on factory requirements: often, executors ask to adapt them for specific software or equipment and correctly localize them according to Chinese standards. An engineer in China can help with this task.
Is It Possible to Outsource All Engineering Tasks and Come with Ready Drawings?
Yes, if you’re 100% sure that the files are correct. But usually, models need to be refined in conjunction with manufacturing specialists. Sometimes, the construction has to be completely redone based on DFM results — in this case, your outsourced engineer should be in touch.
How Much Does It All Cost?
The budget depends on the task; it’s impossible to predict the amount in advance — unforeseen expenses may arise during production, or it may be necessary to make changes to the initial design, for example, by choosing a different material or replacing components.
The total project budget depends on the scope of tasks and the duration of work. Start with research, it will help estimate future investment needs. Research is essential if you’re launching a Kickstarter campaign. Founders often create a prototype on their own, organize crowdfunding, raise the required amount, and then realize there’s not enough money to start mass production. Research will show whether the prototype can be scaled and how much it will cost.
For those producing a simple product with minimal customization of finished items, quality control is mainly needed. For example, if you ordered a batch of Christmas toys with your logo, they’ll be delivered to the RUKI office in Shenzhen, we’ll evaluate the quality and provide feedback. In case of defects, we can quickly contact the factory and fix the issues, instead of shipping defective goods to your country.
Are There Limits on Batch Sizes?
Limits depend on the minimum orders the Chinese contractor is willing to handle. If it’s a ready-made product that only needs customization, it can be a few items, but you’ll need to pay for the molds to apply the logo.
If the product is made specifically for you, the factory will set a minimum batch size — this is related to the cost of starting equipment or production tooling. Usually, the minimum batch starts at 1000 pieces.
How to Prepare for Manufacturing in China:
For instance, the first model of the Mishiko smart dog tracker was made from styrofoam. Prototypes of the aluminum hook for routine tasks from Safer were cut out of cardboard.
At the design and engineering stage, if you’re creating a complex product, you’ll likely need to order components from China. You can buy a few ready-made parts on AliExpress, or get bulk custom orders from Alibaba. If you plan to buy finished products in China and sell them under your own brand with a logo, head to Alibaba as well.
Sellers on the platform usually know English but prefer to negotiate in Chinese. If a client writes in English and requests a small batch of a complex product, sellers often quickly lose interest and stop responding.
While working on the design, start researching and selecting specialized factories. You can search on Alibaba, but many intermediaries are on the platform, making it hard to find direct production contacts. Pay attention to the seller's account assortment: the wider it is, the more likely you’re dealing with a trading company.
Overall, research is labor-intensive because you need to contact each contractor personally to clarify their production resources, terms, and timing for providing samples and batches.
Without agents, this stage is difficult: communication will be in Chinese. One negotiation cycle is usually not enough — you need to keep the dialogue going, make sample adjustments, and control the work results on-site.
Large companies typically appoint a dedicated manager for all communications with the Chinese side. Startup founders usually don’t have this option, so they either negotiate themselves or turn to a specialized agency.
Can I Conduct the Research Myself?
Yes, if you know English or Chinese and understand where and how to search for factories.
It depends on the product. If you plan to release simple smartphone cases with a custom print, choosing the best manufacturer with an optimal price-quality ratio is not a problem. Basic English and a template letter to suppliers on Alibaba are enough.
If you’re making a complex product, especially electronics, you’ll need to coordinate several dozen contractors. For instance, in one of our researches, we initially selected 50 factories of one profile. Only four were able to fulfill the task, then two more realized they couldn’t. In the end, only two out of 50 potential contractors remained.
Creating a complex product usually involves several factories of different profiles, and research is needed for each separately. It doesn’t matter if you’re creating a device from scratch or using ready-made electronic components.
When we created the Mishiko smart collars, for the second version, we found a factory specializing in GPS trackers. But they didn’t produce suitable cases, straps, accessories, packaging, and other components — we had to select these productions separately.
Typically, the preliminary factory selection process takes 10-14 days and costs $1,000 - $3,000. Research doesn’t require being in China and can be organized at the earliest stage. The more thoroughly the concept, design, and prototype are developed, the more accurate the research will be. For instance, if you already have engineering documentation ready, you can start selecting factories to produce the first samples — this is already a step towards mass production.
What Else Do Agents in China Do Besides Research?
Agents are involved in all stages of product development: they select factories and negotiate, help prepare or adjust technical documentation with the potential manufacturer, conclude contracts, protect intellectual property, control quality, assist with certification and logistics. You can use the entire service comprehensively or perform specific tasks.
What Documentation Should Be Prepared in Advance?
This depends on the type and complexity of the product. At the initial stage, it’s recommended to clearly formulate the technical specifications, additionally describe the task in English, and decide on the estimated circulation and potential manufacturers (if conducting research independently).
For each project, we separately compile a list of technical documentation, considering which data can and cannot be transmitted to third parties.
At the first stage, it’s better not to provide manufacturers with documents containing your intellectual property if it’s not protected under international law.
The document format depends on factory requirements: often, executors ask to adapt them for specific software or equipment and correctly localize them according to Chinese standards. An engineer in China can help with this task.
Is It Possible to Outsource All Engineering Tasks and Come with Ready Drawings?
Yes, if you’re 100% sure that the files are correct. But usually, models need to be refined in conjunction with manufacturing specialists. Sometimes, the construction has to be completely redone based on DFM results — in this case, your outsourced engineer should be in touch.
How Much Does It All Cost?
The budget depends on the task; it’s impossible to predict the amount in advance — unforeseen expenses may arise during production, or it may be necessary to make changes to the initial design, for example, by choosing a different material or replacing components.
The total project budget depends on the scope of tasks and the duration of work. Start with research, it will help estimate future investment needs. Research is essential if you’re launching a Kickstarter campaign. Founders often create a prototype on their own, organize crowdfunding, raise the required amount, and then realize there’s not enough money to start mass production. Research will show whether the prototype can be scaled and how much it will cost.
For those producing a simple product with minimal customization of finished items, quality control is mainly needed. For example, if you ordered a batch of Christmas toys with your logo, they’ll be delivered to the RUKI office in Shenzhen, we’ll evaluate the quality and provide feedback. In case of defects, we can quickly contact the factory and fix the issues, instead of shipping defective goods to your country.
Are There Limits on Batch Sizes?
Limits depend on the minimum orders the Chinese contractor is willing to handle. If it’s a ready-made product that only needs customization, it can be a few items, but you’ll need to pay for the molds to apply the logo.
If the product is made specifically for you, the factory will set a minimum batch size — this is related to the cost of starting equipment or production tooling. Usually, the minimum batch starts at 1000 pieces.
How to Prepare for Manufacturing in China:
- Decide on the idea, develop the design, and create the first prototypes.
- Formulate the final technical specifications for the future product and compile a BOM (bill of materials).
- Order research or conduct it independently: find potential manufacturers on Alibaba, send them template letters with the technical assignment and a detailed description of the task in English.
- Prepare technical documentation. Ideally, have an engineer on call to make adjustments to the files if necessary.
- Appoint a manager for negotiations with Chinese factories or contact agents.
- Sign a contract and produce samples. Be prepared for this to be just the beginning, several iterations and the start of mass production lie ahead.