ThinkPinders

Printed vinyl window graphics at Royal Albert Dock Liverpool.

Bring New Ideas into the Real World

Pinders works with creatives, designers, agencies and businesses developing new ideas for products, packaging, giftware and printed applications. We can support the process from digital design and artwork development through to printed prototypes in different sizes, materials and finishes. Where a full-size prototype is not practical, we can also produce scaled versions to help demonstrate the concept, test its appearance or present it to stakeholders. Every prototype is bespoke, with the approach shaped around the idea, its intended purpose and the production methods available.

Product

Types

Packaging Prototypes

Physical samples produced to review the appearance, scale and construction of a packaging concept.

Creative Concept Development

Design support that helps transform sketches, references and early ideas into artwork suitable for prototyping.

Material & Finish Samples

Alternative materials, colours and finishes prepared to support comparison and development decisions.

Scaled Prototypes

Reduced-size versions of larger concepts produced for presentations, reviews and stakeholder approval.

Giftware Prototypes

Creative samples for printed gifts, branded merchandise and bespoke giftware concepts.

Packaging Prototypes

Physical packaging samples created to review dimensions, artwork, materials and overall shelf presence.

Product Prototypes

Printed and assembled samples developed to explore the appearance and presentation of a new product idea.

Not Sure How to Prototype Your Idea?

You do not need to know exactly how your concept should be produced before speaking to us. Show us your sketches, digital visuals, reference images or initial artwork and explain what you want the prototype to demonstrate. Our design and production teams can explore suitable sizes, materials, print methods and finishes before recommending a practical approach. You will have one point of contact helping coordinate the project from creative development through to the printed example.

Showcase gallery of produced signage and print work.

Prototypes for Creative Development and Presentation

Printed prototypes can help you explore an idea, refine its appearance and communicate how the finished product could work.

Product concepts and new printed applications
Packaging designs and presentation samples
Giftware and branded merchandise concepts
Investor, stakeholder and client presentations
Material, colour and finish comparisons
Scaled versions of larger designs and structures
Prototype development in Sheffield, Leeds, York and across Yorkshire
Creative projects in Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham and throughout the UK

Prototype Materials, Sizes & Options

A prototype may be created to test a design, compare materials, demonstrate functionality or communicate the appearance of a proposed product. The specification depends on what needs to be assessed, the required level of detail and how closely the sample must represent the final concept.

Digital Concept Creation
Initial ideas can be developed into digital artwork and presentation visuals before physical production begins.

Full-Size Prototypes
Where practical, prototypes can be produced at their intended finished dimensions to demonstrate scale and appearance.

Scaled Prototypes
Larger concepts can be represented at a reduced scale for reviews, presentations and early-stage development.

Material Testing
Different papers, boards, vinyls, films and other printable materials can be explored according to the concept.

Print & Finish Samples
Prototypes can demonstrate colour, texture, shape and selected finishing options before wider production.

Bespoke Production
Unusual formats and creative applications can be assessed individually to identify an achievable production method.

Helpful Answers

What is a printed prototype?

A printed prototype is an early physical example created to demonstrate or assess a concept before wider production. It can be used to review the design, scale, materials, construction, colour or finish.

Can Pinders help if I only have an initial idea?

Yes. We can work from sketches, reference images, written ideas or early digital artwork. The amount of creative development required will be assessed before the project begins.

Can you create both digital concepts and physical prototypes?

Yes. Pinders can support digital artwork and creative development before producing a physical printed example, helping maintain continuity between the original idea and the prototype.

Can prototypes be produced at a smaller scale?

Yes. Where a full-size version would be impractical or unnecessary, we can explore producing a scaled prototype. The sample’s limitations and the scale used will be explained during the project.

What materials can be used for a prototype?

The options depend on the intended product and what the prototype needs to demonstrate. These may include paper, card, rigid board, vinyl, film and other printable materials. We will recommend suitable options after reviewing the concept.

Can you manufacture the final product after prototyping?

This depends on the design, quantities, materials and production requirements. Where the final item falls within our capabilities, we can discuss further production. If not, the prototype can still support development or presentation to another manufacturer.

Where does Pinders provide prototype design and production?

Pinders develops bespoke prototypes from Sheffield for creatives, agencies and businesses across Yorkshire, Leeds, York, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham and throughout the UK.