There are a lot of things to keep in mind as you prototype, but an overload of information can get confusing. Here are just the top three things you should remember:

1. Remember that your design doesn’t have to be perfect.

This is why you’re getting a prototype to begin with, right? We’re here to help you test out your idea, imperfections and all, so that you’ll have a marketable product to sell. Don’t let perfectionism get in the way of your design becoming reality. You’ve spent countless hours on this idea, so let it pay off! Our engineers can spot any design flaws you may have missed before your part is prototyped, and having an actual, physical part to touch and examine will help give your design process the kick it needs to reach the next level.

2. Remember that you’ll probably go through several rounds of revision before you get to a finished product…

But don’t give up! Always remember that with every tweak and redesign you’re one step closer to your goal. At RevPart, we usually see customers going through an average of five revisions before they come up with a product they love. This means that if you don’t love your first prototype you’re not out of options. You haven’t spent a million dollars only to see a design fail: prototypes are designed to help move you along in your design process without costing you an arm and a leg. Once you are satisfied, you can move on to creating production runs of your product to get it into the hands of consumers. That’s your goal and we want to help.

3. Remember to keep a log of design changes as you go.

This is good for a number of reasons, but it primarily helps with copyright and intellectual property issues. Having a handwritten log, with each entry signed and dated, can support your claim that the design is really yours. If you can get a provisional patent, that’s even better, but a log is the minimum requirement. Even if this seems like a lot of work, putting a little extra time into your invention process is worth it if it protects your design.