Are you thinking about customizing a pet leash? Maybe you don’t know where to start because this process requires knowing what information, time, and budget you’ll need. No worries! Check out the product customization process we’ve developed as a pet supplies manufacturer while working with our clients!
1. Clarify Your Pet Leash Product Requirements
Before you start, it’s super important to clarify your product needs—like the length, material, and specific features. Our clients usually have their own ideas on these points:
- Reflective tape
- Extra-long leash (10M)
- Durable nylon material
- Unique clips
- Custom patterns
- Weight (lightweight)
- Pull strength
- Ergonomic handle
- Elastic bungee
- Multi-functional (like LED lighting or a waste bag storage)
With so many styles of pet leashes available on the market, it’s essential to know your target audience needs and customize accordingly. Organize these product materials, it can save you tons of time for the next steps!
2. Find a Suitable Pet Leash Factory
For many entrepreneurs, it is hard to find a suitable pet products manufacturer. In the past, we had to rely on local visits, yellow pages, or business directories to search for factories. As the internet grows quickly, the way to find factories has become much easier and faster. Here are a few useful ways to help you quickly find the right pet leash factory.
Use Search Engines Flexibly
You can use search engines like Google, Bing or Baidu to find pet supplies manufacturers. Just a tip: avoid broad search keywords like “pet supplies manufacturer.” Instead, try searching for “pet retractable leash factory” for more precise results. If you want to search for the factory that is near you, adding a location keyword can help. For example, if you search for pet manufacturers located in Suzhou, you might see our KUDI website in the Google search results.
Just keep in mind that the more specific your keywords are, the fewer results you’ll get. If only a few factories produce the product you’re looking for, don’t add conditional words!
B2B E-Commerce Platform
In China, we often use 1688 to find the products and factories we need. For international searches, you can use platforms like Alibaba or Global Sources. Additionally, ensure that you’re dealing directly with manufacturers, not trading companies acting as middlemen. Be sure to check for factory identifiers, certifications, and any disclosed images.
Attend Pet Trade Shows
Taking an active part in pet trade shows is also a way to connect closely with manufacturers. These trade shows allow manufacturers to showcase their latest products, which helps you to directly understand their design and craftsmanship. The benefits are obvious. You can talk one-on-one with sales representatives from pet leash manufacturers. You can also gather contact information from multiple manufacturers through a single trade show. Just remember, pet trade shows have specific dates and locations, so you’ll need to plan ahead and may incur additional travel expenses.
Explore Social Media
With the rise of social media, short videos spread information incredibly fast! Using platforms like INS, YouTube, and TikTok can also be effective. While social media is primarily consumer-focused, it can still serve as a helpful supplement for B2B businesses.
3. Evaluate Manufacturers
If you follow the steps, I believe you’ve found a few factories. Now, reach out to the sales teams of these manufacturers with your requirements and request quotes. It’s important to understand their product customization processes, and keep an eye on several key points:
For example:
- Products/Samples they have made
- Minimum order quantity
- Mold fees
- Payment methods for orders
- Delivery time
- After-sales service
Besides these, there are also some hidden evaluation aspects, like communication responsiveness and pricing rationality, etc. At KUDI, we have a set of execution processes that you can refer to!
4. Requesting Samples
Requesting samples can be divided into two categories: in stock products and custom samples. Before committing to a large order, it’s super important to request samples to check the material and craftsmanship quality. This step ensures that the final product meets your standards! In stock samples are usually free, but you might need to cover some shipping costs. As for custom samples, you’ll need to pay a fee, which is typically refunded in your later bulk order.
5. Confirm and Start Bulk Production
Once you receive samples that meet your material and craftsmanship requirements, it’s time to kick off production according to the contract!
6. Inspection and Payment
Before the inspection, make sure you’re familiar with the local market policies and regulations to ensure the products meet safety standards.
- Check the appearance of the pet leashes for any obvious damage, size discrepancies, or color differences.
- Verify that the materials used for the leashes meet safety, durability, and chew resistance standards.
- Conduct functionality tests to ensure they comply with the contract specifications.
- Inspect the packaging to see if it meets design requirements and that the labels are clear and complete.
Once all checks are done, you can proceed with payment according to the contract and pick up your goods!
