Find manufacturers for your product idea, with an RFQ ready
You have a product design and need a factory, but most manufacturer listings are traders, minimums are huge and nobody tells you what to ask. This prompt has your todo.is agent search for manufacturers with the right process and materials, tell factories apart from middlemen, check certifications and minimums and draft a request for quote (RFQ) you can send.
The prompt
- Find manufacturers that can make [PRODUCT DESCRIPTION]. The main material and process is [MATERIAL AND PROCESS]. My first order is [FIRST ORDER QUANTITY], and I prefer factories in [PREFERRED REGIONS]. Search manufacturer directories, B2B marketplaces, trade show exhibitor lists and company websites. Find 10 candidates and check: is it a real factory or a trading company, what they already make, minimum order quantity, sampling cost and time, certifications ([CERTIFICATIONS NEEDED]), years in business and export experience. Rank them in an Excel file with links and notes. Then write a one-page RFQ as a Word file I can send, based on my spec sheet: [SPEC SHEET].
What to change
- [PRODUCT DESCRIPTION]: e.g. "an insulated stainless steel water bottle, 750 ml, with a bamboo lid and laser-engraved logo".
- [MATERIAL AND PROCESS]: e.g. "18/8 stainless steel, double-wall vacuum insulation".
- [FIRST ORDER QUANTITY]: e.g. "1,000 units", or "500 to test the market".
- [PREFERRED REGIONS]: e.g. "China or Vietnam", "Europe", or "USA only".
- [CERTIFICATIONS NEEDED]: e.g. "food-contact safety tests for the US and EU, BSCI or similar audit".
- [SPEC SHEET]: Attach your drawings, sketches or a spec sheet, or describe size, colors and packaging.
Example result
- Manufacturer shortlist · 750 ml insulated steel bottle with bamboo lid
- First order: 1,000 units · regions: China or Vietnam · fictional example
- Top picks
- 1. Yongkang Brightway Drinkware (factory)
- • Makes vacuum bottles as its main product; photos and video of production lines on its site
- • MOQ 1,000 with custom logo, sample in 7 to 10 days
- • Lists food-contact test reports for US and EU markets and a social audit
- • Exports to Europe for 8+ years
- 2. Hanoi Steelcraft (factory, Vietnam)
- • Stainless drinkware and lunch boxes; MOQ 500 for standard shapes
- • Sample 2 weeks, bamboo lids from a partner supplier
- • Good option for lower minimum and a different country risk
- 3. Zhejiang Harbor Housewares (factory)
- • MOQ 3,000, strong on price at volume
- • Better for a second order once demand is proven
- Trading companies (not factories)
- • 4 listings say "manufacturer" but show many unrelated products (bags, toys, bottles) and no factory address. They can still be useful, but expect a markup and less control.
- Questions your RFQ asks
- • Unit price at 1,000, 3,000 and 5,000 units
- • Sample cost and whether it is refunded on order
- • Production lead time and payment terms
- • Test reports for food contact, and who pays for new tests
- • Packaging options and carton size for shipping
- Next steps
- • Send the RFQ to the top 5 and compare quotes side by side
- • Order 2 or 3 samples and test insulation (hot after 12 hours?) and the lid seal
- • Consider a video call factory tour, or a third-party inspection before shipping
- • Ask a freight forwarder for a shipping and duty estimate
- All facts above come from each company’s own pages and listings; confirm them directly before paying anything.
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and describe your product, material, first order size and regions.
- Attach your spec sheet or sketches, then paste the prompt into todo.is.
- Your agent sends a ranked Excel shortlist and a Word RFQ you can send to factories.
- Ask follow-ups like "find 5 more in Portugal" or "turn the quotes I attach into a comparison table".
Tips for a better result
- Search by process, not just product. "Deep-drawn stainless steel" finds the real makers faster.
- Look for signs of a real factory: a narrow product range, production photos, an address and audit reports.
- Pay for samples. A factory that refuses samples is not one to trust with an order.
- Use a third-party inspection before the balance payment on your first order.
find manufacturers: FAQ
- How do I find a manufacturer for my product? Search by the process and material your product needs, check B2B directories and trade show exhibitor lists, then screen candidates for capability, minimums and certifications. Request samples before ordering.
- What is MOQ? MOQ means minimum order quantity: the smallest number of units a factory will make in one order. Custom colors, logos and packaging often raise it.
- How can I tell a factory from a trading company? Factories usually make a narrow range of products, show production lines and list a factory address. Trading companies sell many unrelated items and add a markup.
- Should I sign an NDA before sharing my design? Many founders do, and some also register designs or trademarks first. Rules differ by country, so ask a lawyer if your design is valuable.
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