“How much is this actually going to cost?”

The short answer: it depends.

The helpful answer: there are clear phases, cost ranges, and decisions that dramatically affect your budget. Below, we break it down in a practical, no-fluff way.

What Does “Bringing a Product to Market” Actually Include?

Before talking numbers, it’s important to understand what counts as product development. Most physical products go through these core phases:

• Concept & strategy

• Industrial design

• Engineering & CAD

• Prototyping

• Manufacturing setup (tooling, sourcing)

• Initial production

Skipping steps may feel cheaper upfront—but often costs more later.

1. Concept & Design Development

Typical range: $2,000 – $10,000+

This phase answers:

What should the product be? Who is it for? What makes it different?

Costs depend on:

• Complexity of the product

• Number of concepts explored

• Level of refinement needed

Strong concept work reduces risk later.

2. Engineering & CAD

Typical range: $3,000 – $15,000+

This is where ideas become manufacturable.

Includes:

Detailed 3D CAD models

• Part breakdowns
• Material consideration

• Assembly logic

• Design-for-manufacturing considerations

Highly mechanical or multi-part products land on the higher end.

3. Prototyping

Typical range: $500 – $5,000+ per iteration

Prototypes answer:

• Does it work?

• Does it feel right?

• Can it be assembled?

Costs vary based on:

3D printing vs CNC vs soft tooling

• Size and material

• Number of revisions

Multiple iterations are normal—and smart.

4. Tooling & Manufacturing Setup

Typical range:

• Simple tooling: $2,000 – $8,000

• Injection molds: $5,000 – $50,000+

This phase includes:

• Production tooling

• Mold design

• Factory setup

• Initial sampling

Tooling is often the largest upfront investment, but it’s also what enables scale.

A few decisions disproportionately affect budget:

• Material choice (plastic vs metal vs wood)

• Manufacturing process (3D print, CNC, injection molding)

• Production volume

• Tolerance requirements

• How early manufacturability is considered

Good design doesn’t just look better—it costs less to produce.

Can You Bring a Product to Market on a Budget?

Yes, but strategically.

Smart cost control strategies include:

• Validating with low-fidelity prototypes first

• Designing for one core manufacturing process

• Avoiding over-engineering early versions

The goal isn’t to build everything at once, it’s to build the right thing first.

So, What’s a Realistic Total Budget?

While every product is different, many consumer products fall into these rough ranges:

Lean MVP: $7,000 – $15,000

Mid-complexity product: $15,000 – $40,000

Highly engineered product: $40,000+

The biggest mistake founders make is underestimating early planning—and overpaying later in fixes.

Final Takeaway

Bringing a product to market isn’t about spending as little as possible, it’s about spending intentionally. A clear process, realistic expectations, and the right development partner can save you time, money, and major headaches. If you’re considering developing a physical product and want clarity on scope, cost, and next steps, that conversation should happen before CAD not after tooling.