3 ms·
Ask HN: Forums on the Internet to discuss real-world non-tech manufacturing?
I'm interested in manufacturing of non tech stuff.
Specifically I want to know how to get an image printed onto a tabletop or plastic surface in the cheapest and easiest way.
I also want to find out how to get very cheap shippable plastic tables made.
In software development there are any number of forums to discuss how to do things.
Where does someone go on the Internet to ask questions about real world manufacturing? Are there active forums anywhere?
- phantom_oracle 12y agoDo you wish to import plastic products from a country like China that has something printed on them? I did find this: http://www.wholesaleforum.com/discuss/ http://www.wholesaleforum.com/discuss/ These manufacture markets are at least 10 times as huge as the software/services market (IMHO). As far as getting info about it, I'd preferably talk to someone who is in the manufacture/wholesale business instead of going to a forum.
- rahimnathwani 12y agoAre you thinking of getting things made to your exact specification, or ordering existing designs with some cosmetic customisation (e.g. existing plastic tables with your design printed on them)? These two are quite different. I suggest you start by: 1. Looking at Alibaba.com to see what types of products are already available, without you needing to design from scratch. 2. Reading China Law Blog, which has a bunch of stuff about manufacturing agreements and things to watch out for. 3. Reading blog posts written by people who have gone through the process. Search for things like 'got product manufactured in china' or similar. Focus on the longer posts which talk about all the back and forth and issues/problems, as they will give you a better idea of what you're getting in to.