When you have a prototype made, you mainly want one thing: to learn quickly whether the design works, without overpaying for something that will still change. So it pays not to order the most expensive prototype straight away. Each phase answers a different question, and each question has its own process.
This guide is a practical step-by-step plan: what to order in which phase, what to send along and how to work out the price. If you're after an overview of methods and the trade-off between speed and quality, also read our guide on rapid prototyping strategies.
The three phases at a glance
| Phase | Question it answers | Suitable processes | Typical quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Looks-like model | Are the shape, size and look right? | FDM, SLA | 1-3 |
| Functional prototype | Does it work: fit, assembly, load? | SLA (engineering resin), SLS, MJF, CNC | 1-10 |
| Pre-series | Does it behave like the final product, also with test users? | MJF, SLS, vacuum casting, CNC | 10-100 |
Phase 1: the looks-like model
A looks-like model (also called a concept or form model) shows what the product looks like and how it feels in the hand. It doesn't need to be strong or to work yet. You use it to decide on shape and size, to show the idea to colleagues or investors, or to check that something fits the space available.
- Choose FDM when price matters most and visible layers are fine, for example for larger shapes or a first fit check. We print FDM in-house; FDM isn't in Quotebase yet, so you request a custom quote.
- Choose SLA when the model needs to look polished: a smooth surface, fine detail and crisp edges. We print SLA in-house, with a build volume of up to 780 × 780 × 530 mm.
Worked example: 60 cm³ × €0.45/cm³ (White Resin) = from €27.00 per part, excl. VAT and finishing.
Phase 2: the functional prototype
A functional prototype tests whether the design works. Do the parts snap together? Does the circuit board fit the housing? Does a bracket take the load? Here the material matters more than the looks, and you often need a few copies to test and adjust.
- SLS and MJF in PA12 nylon: strong, light and support-free. A good choice for clips, housings and moving parts. Both run through selected partners.
- SLA with an engineering resin, when you combine fine detail and a smooth surface with a functional test.
- CNC machining when the prototype has to be in the final metal or an engineering plastic, for example for a heat test or a tight fit. CNC runs through partners; you get your quote within one working day.
Worked example: 60 cm³ × €0.52/cm³ (PA12 Grey MJF) = from €31.20 per part, excl. VAT and finishing.
Phase 3: the pre-series
A pre-series is a small batch that behaves as much as possible like the final product. You use it for tests with real users, certification work, trade fairs or first sales, while the final production method is still being prepared.
- MJF or SLS if the part can stay in nylon for production. No mould needed, and you can still change the design between batches.
- Vacuum casting for 1 to 100 parts in polyurethane that mimics ABS, PC, PP or rubber. An SLA master is cast into a silicone mould. Ideal when you want to imitate the behaviour of an injection-moulded part.
- CNC machining for metal parts in small numbers.
Worked example: 25 parts × 60 cm³ × €0.52/cm³ (PA12 Grey MJF) = from €31.20 per part, or from €780.00 for the whole batch, excl. VAT and finishing.
For vacuum casting and CNC there's no fixed price per cm³: the price depends on the mould or the number of set-ups, the material and the quantity. You request a quote and receive it within one working day.
What does it cost to have a prototype made?
In 3D printing, the part's volume mainly sets the price: volume in cm³ times the material price per cm³. That makes the worked examples above a good starting point. You'll see the real price in Quotebase as soon as you upload your file. Finishing such as sanding, painting or inserts comes on top.
- Don't make the part bulkier than needed: less volume means a lower price.
- Test what you need to learn first. A looks-like model in FDM or SLA costs less than going straight to a metal prototype.
- Bundle variants into one order so you can compare them side by side.
What do you supply?
- A 3D file: STEP if you need CNC machining or vacuum casting; STL, STEP or OBJ for 3D printing. Model in millimetres.
- The quantity per part, and whether you want variants.
- The material, or else what the part has to do: strong, flexible, transparent, heat-resistant.
- For CNC: a technical drawing with the dimensions and tolerances that really matter, and the finish you want.
- What you want to test with the prototype. That lets us suggest a process that fits the question.
Unsure about your file? Our guide to preparing a 3D file explains how to export, which wall thicknesses typically work and how to choose clearances for assemblies.
Common mistakes
- Moving to production material too early while the shape is still changing.
- Testing a prototype in a material that behaves very differently from the final product and drawing conclusions from it.
- Asking for tight tolerances everywhere, even where it doesn't matter.
- Leaving no clearance between parts that have to fit together.