Custom made

Custom manufacturing means creating a product from scratch based on your design — not just printing on an off-the-shelf item, but developing the design, materials, shape and functionality exclusively for you. Choose it when: you are looking for a unique corporate gift that no competitor can replicate; you need a specific shape or size (a 3D model of your company's product, a miniature production line, a replica of a historic building); you want fully bespoke packaging from the ground up (structure, material, opening mechanism); or you are planning a campaign around a specific theme (company anniversary, merger, product launch). The minimum order quantity for custom manufacturing is typically 200–500 pieces, with a lead time of 8–16 weeks. The cost is higher — roughly 2–5x compared to catalogue items — but the result is one-of-a-kind and leaves a lasting impression on the recipient.

The process has five stages. 1) Consultation and brief — tell us your goal, target audience, budget, deadline and inspiration (existing products you like). 2) Design and 3D visualisation — our design studio creates 2–3 concepts to choose from (1–2 weeks from the brief). 3) Approval and prototype production — a physical sample for sign-off (2–3 weeks after concept selection). The physical prototype is key — you will see the material, weight and feel in hand. 4) Series production — once the prototype is approved, production begins (4–10 weeks depending on volume and complexity). 5) Assembly, packaging and delivery to your specified address. Total time from brief to delivery: 8–16 weeks. We recommend planning with a buffer — for Christmas campaigns start in August, for trade fairs allow 4–5 months lead time.

The options are almost unlimited. Metals (brass, steel, aluminium, stainless steel) — casting, CNC milling, engraving. Plastics (PVC, ABS, PP, PET) — injection moulding (requires a mould), 3D printing (no mould needed), vacuum forming. Wood and bamboo — turning, milling, engraving, laser cutting. Glass — blowing, casting, sandblasting, hand milling. Textiles — sewing, embroidery, sublimation printing, hand applique. Paper and cardboard — laminating, offset printing, die-cutting, embossing. For small runs (up to 1,000 units) we recommend 3D printing — fast, flexible and ideal for prototypes and short runs without investment in a mould. For large runs (from 5,000 units), injection moulding with a mould is the most efficient solution. A growing trend is production from recycled materials — ocean plastics, recycled aluminium and FSC-certified wood.

Costs vary depending on the material and technology used. For small runs (200–1,000 pcs) in plastic or 3D printing, expect entry-level to mid-tier pricing per piece including print. CNC machined or engraved metal items fall into a higher price bracket per piece, while wooden items sit in a mid-range tier. For large runs of 5,000+ pieces, injection moulding significantly reduces the unit cost. Mould preparation is a one-time, non-refundable investment whose price scales with the complexity of the shape. I recommend carefully considering your required quantity — moulds become cost-effective from around 5,000 pieces upward; below that threshold, 3D printing without a mould is typically more economical. I always prepare a comparison of both scenarios — a small run via 3D printing versus a large run with a mould — so you can clearly see the optimum for your budget.

The most common custom orders include: 3D-printed models of a company's own products (miniature production lines, cosmetic products, cars or buildings) used as collectible promotional gifts; unique packaging in wooden boxes with engraved motifs for premium wines and delicacies; metal medals and plaques for company anniversaries, employee recognition or VIP clients; jewellery sets featuring a corporate logo (cufflinks, keyrings in precious metals, brooches); for IT and technology companies — 3D-printed functional devices (mini drones, robotic models, prototypes); for construction companies — miniature building elements (bricks, panels) as keyrings. A growing trend is personalised one-of-a-kind items bearing each recipient's name — CNC technology makes individual customisation feasible even for small production runs.