Do not show the idea in public before filing
A patent requires the invention to be new, and the novelty requirement applies worldwide. If the idea has been shown in public before filing, that can be enough for a patent to be refused. This applies even if you showed it yourself, for example at a trade fair, on social media, in a crowdfunding campaign or in a sales leaflet. In the UK and the rest of Europe there is in practice no grace period.
So the idea should only be shared under confidentiality until the application has been filed. That includes designers, manufacturers and potential investors. This is general information, not legal advice. Talk to a patent attorney before you show anything outside a circle that has signed a non-disclosure agreement.
Keep agreements, emails and dates. A simple development log with dated sketches shows how the idea evolved. That can be valuable if someone later disputes who came up with what.
Invention design under confidentiality
We sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before you send sketches or descriptions. Your material is used only for your project and is never shown in our portfolio. Once the job is paid for, you own the models, drawings and images that have been produced.
You are welcome to start with a rough description without details, so we can assess the scope. Only when the agreement is in place do we go through the function in depth. We ask a lot at the start: what the invention should solve, who will use it, how it will be made and what it may cost to produce.
Files are only sent to you or to people you have approved, such as your patent attorney. If a manufacturer needs data for a quote, we only send the parts needed, and only after you have said yes. If you would rather use your own NDA, that is fine too.
Functional prototype or appearance model?
A functional prototype must show that the mechanism works. It may look unfinished, but dimensions, clearances and materials should be realistic so the test means something. An appearance model shows shape, proportions and feel in the hand, but does not need to work. Mixing up the two is a common and expensive mistake.
We almost always start with the function. FDM 3D printing makes it possible to test several variants in a short time, for example different spring forces, clearance in a joint or angles in a mechanism. Once the function works, we produce an appearance model with better surfaces. We describe how prototyping works in stages under product development and prototyping.
Prototypes also reveal things that do not show on screen. A button may sit awkwardly, a spring may lose force after a hundred cycles or a lid may stick in the cold. Each test is documented with photos and measurements, so the next version builds on facts. If the prototype is to be shown to investors after filing, it can be sanded and painted to look like a finished product.
Patent drawings as input for your patent attorney
The patent application is written by a patent attorney and filed with the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) or with the EPO for a European patent covering many European countries. We do not file applications or draft patent claims. What we provide is the input: clear line drawings showing the invention in several views, sections and exploded views.
Patent drawings are black-and-white line drawings without colour or photorealistic shading. The parts are marked with reference numerals that the description then refers to. The drawings are produced directly from the 3D model, so the proportions are correct. The patent offices have formal requirements for margins, line width and text size, among other things, and your attorney makes sure the final version meets them. The product's shape can also be protected as a registered design with the UKIPO or EUIPO, which is a separate question for your attorney.
We deliver the drawings as vector PDFs and, if your attorney wishes, as separate views. Reference numerals are assigned in consultation with the attorney so they match the description. If the design changes during the work, the drawings are updated from the same 3D model.
From prototype to manufacturing
An invention only becomes a product when it can be made at the right cost. Early on we review the number of parts, the materials and the manufacturing method. Small runs can be 3D printed, while larger volumes often need injection moulding, sheet metal or CNC. We also look for standard components. A catalogue screw, spring or gasket is almost always cheaper than a custom part, and fewer unique parts mean fewer tools and simpler assembly.
If the product is to be injection moulded, we adapt the geometry with draft angles, uniform wall thickness and ribs – see design for injection moulding. You receive STEP files, drawings and a bill of materials that can be sent out for quotes. More on the steps from first sketch to finished product is in the guide from idea to product.
Before you invest in tooling, a small 3D-printed trial batch can show how the product is received. It can be given to test users once the application has been filed, and their feedback worked in before the design is locked. The manufacturing cost estimate also gives you a basis for talks with investors and retailers.
The steps of an invention in the right order
| Step | Points to consider |
|---|---|
| Confidentiality | NDA before details are shared – disclose nothing in public |
| Your own novelty search | Search patent databases such as Espacenet before you spend money |
| Concept model | 3D model showing function, dimensions and parts |
| Functional prototype | Tests mechanics, clearances and materials – appearance is secondary |
| Patent attorney | Drafts the application and claims, files with the UKIPO or EPO |
| Line drawings | Black-and-white views, sections and exploded views with reference numerals |
| Appearance model | Shape, colour and ergonomics – shown in public only after filing |
| Design protection | The shape can be registered as a design with the UKIPO or EUIPO |
| Manufacturing data | STEP, drawings, bill of materials and choice of manufacturing method |
General information, not legal advice. Contact a patent attorney before the idea is shown in public.
What we need from you
- A short description of the problem the invention solves (no details before the NDA)
- Sketches, photos of home-made versions or earlier prototypes
- Key dimensions and what the invention must work with
- How and where it will be used – environment, load, users
- Target quantity and manufacturing cost, if you have them
- Whether a patent attorney is already involved and what they need
Typical projects
- Concept model of a new household product
- Functional prototype of a locking mechanism
- Line drawings in several views for the patent attorney
- Exploded view with reference numerals
- Appearance model for an investor meeting after filing
- Tool that improves an existing work task
- Accessory that fits an existing product
- Turning a home-made build into a manufacturable design
- Data for an injection moulding quote
What affects price and lead time
- How well the function is defined from the start
- Number of parts and moving mechanisms
- Number of prototype variants to be tested
- Whether line drawings and renderings are included
- Whether data for series production is to be produced
- Timeline ahead of filing, a trade fair or an investor meeting
What you get
- Non-disclosure agreement before we start
- Concept model and prototype files (STL/3MF)
- Functional prototype by 3D printing (optional)
- Black-and-white line drawings and exploded views
- STEP, drawings and bill of materials for manufacturing
Frequently asked questions
How do I protect my idea before applying for a patent?
Only share it with people who have signed a non-disclosure agreement. Show nothing in public, including on social media or at trade fairs. Talk to a patent attorney early about when the application should be filed.
Do you help with the patent application itself?
No. The application and claims are written by a patent attorney. We produce 3D models, prototypes and line drawings the attorney can use as input.
Do I need a prototype to apply for a patent?
No, a prototype is not required for a patent application. It is often valuable, though, to confirm that the idea works and to describe it clearly.
What is a patent drawing?
A black-and-white line drawing of the invention in one or more views, without colour or photorealistic shading. The parts are marked with numerals that the description refers to.
Who owns the model and the drawings?
You do. Once the job is paid for, you get full rights to everything produced for you. We never show your material to others.
How many prototypes are needed before the product is ready?
It varies. Simpler products often manage with two or three variants, while mechanisms with many moving parts may need more. We plan in stages so you can stop or change direction after each test.