Your Guide to Brief a Manufacturer for Displays

A great eye-catching display can boost product sales. In retail, a custom acrylic display is essential for your branding. It helps a customer see the high product quality. Over 70% of purchasing decisions happen in the store. A good display makes your product stand out.

You need a clear plan to brief a manufacturer. Missing details can lead to costly errors. This is a common fear.

We offer a solution. Our free template helps you organize everything. You can create the perfect brief for successful acrylic displays. This ensures your custom display manufacturer understands your vision for all retail displays.

How to Brief a Manufacturer

To brief a manufacturer effectively, you must provide a clear and detailed plan. This ensures your vision for impactful wireless carrier retail displays becomes a reality. The first step is to define your goals and the environment where the display will live.

Define Project Objectives

First, you need to explain the main purpose of your display. What do you want it to achieve? Your answer guides the entire design process. A clear objective helps the manufacturer understand your needs. This is a key part of how you brief a manufacturer.

Your goal might be to boost sales for a specific product line. Or you may want to create a memorable experience for every customer. Good merchandising can encourage a customer to make an impulse purchase.

Tip: Clearly state the primary function of your display. This helps align the final product with your business goals.

List the exact products the display will hold. For example, specify the models of phones or the types of accessories. This information affects the display's structure and security features.

• New Product Launch: A display pedestal can elevate a new phone, giving it a premium feel.
• Seasonal Promotion: An end cap display can highlight holiday accessories and attract a customer.
• Brand Awareness: A unique cell phone retail display can strengthen your brand identity and attract your target customer.

Set the Retail Context

Next, describe the retail environment. Where will the customer see this display? The location heavily influences the design and materials. A display for a flagship brand store will differ from one in a busy multi-brand retail setting. Your visual merchandising strategy depends on this context.

Specify the placement for your cell phone retail display.

• Countertop displays: Great for small accessories near the checkout.
• Slatwall retail displays: A flexible option for various merchandising layouts.
• Floor-standing displays: Perfect for creating a focal point in an open area.

Providing this context helps the manufacturer recommend the best materials and construction for your needs. It ensures your new displays will perform well in their intended retail space.

Design Specifications for Custom Displays

This section is all about precision. Clear design specifications prevent errors and ensure the manufacturer builds exactly what you envision. Your details here will transform your idea into a functional and beautiful acrylic display case.

Dimensions and Structure

You must provide exact dimensions for your display. List the width, depth, and height (W x D x H) in millimeters or inches. Supplying a digital file is the best way to communicate your design. While a simple sketch is helpful, a CAD file (.AI, .EPS) is far better. CAD files allow for greater accuracy, reduce human error, and speed up the design process for the manufacturer.

Think about special features that will improve the customer experience. Does your cell phone retail display need advanced functions?

• Rotating Bases: A 360-degree rotation lets a customer view a product from all angles.
• Lockable Sections: An integrated keyed locking system protects valuable items from theft.
• Cable Management: Hidden channels keep charging cables tidy for a clean look.
• Security Tethers: Steel security cables can secure high-value electronics, giving a customer peace of mind.

Note: Manufacturers work with standard tolerances. For acrylic CNC machining, this is often around ±0.1mm. However, the thickness of an acrylic sheet itself has a tolerance range. A 6.0mm thick acrylic sheet, for example, might actually be between 5.0mm and 7.0mm.

Materials and Finish

The material you choose affects the look and feel of your displays. Acrylic is a popular choice because it is clearer and stronger than glass. Your acrylic design can use different types of acrylic to achieve specific goals.

• Clear Acrylic: This material keeps the focus on your products. It offers a modern, minimalist aesthetic that makes your items the star of the show for every customer.
• Colored Acrylic: This option injects personality into your retail space. You can use it to match your brand colors or create a vibrant display that attracts a customer from across the room.

For colored acrylic, always provide a Pantone code. This helps the manufacturer match your brand color precisely. You also need to specify the acrylic thickness and the desired edge finish. An acrylic display case can have different edge styles. Diamond polishing creates a super clear, glossy finish on straight edges. Flame polishing also gives a glossy look and works well on curved edges. A great acrylic design considers every detail.

Branding and Visual Elements

This is where your display transforms from a simple holder into a powerful branding tool. The right visual elements capture a customer's attention and reinforce your brand identity. Great visual merchandising makes your products memorable.

Logo and Graphic Application

Your logo is your signature. To reproduce it perfectly, you must provide your manufacturer with a vector file. Formats like .AI or .EPS are ideal. Vector files use mathematical equations, not pixels. This means your logo can be scaled to any size without losing quality or becoming blurry. This ensures your branding looks sharp and professional on the final acrylic display.

You have several options for applying graphics to an acrylic surface. Each method offers different benefits in terms of durability and cost. Your choice will impact the final look and longevity of the design.

Tip: Laser engraving creates a permanent mark etched into the acrylic, making it extremely durable. Silk-screen printing is cost-effective for large orders, while vinyl decals offer flexibility for intricate, colorful graphics. Discussing your project with the manufacturer will help you select the best method.

Lighting Requirements

Lighting can make your retail displays shine—literally. It draws the eye, highlights product features, and creates an inviting atmosphere for any customer. When briefing your manufacturer, you need to specify both the placement and the color of the light.

There are two primary lighting placements for an acrylic display:

• Edge-lit: LEDs are placed along the edges of the acrylic. This creates a sleek, modern glow and is very energy-efficient. It works beautifully for illuminating engraved logos.
• Back-lit: LEDs are placed behind the panel. This provides bright, even illumination across the entire surface, making graphics pop and ensuring every customer sees your product clearly.

You also need to define the light color. You can choose a simple cool white for a clean look or opt for dynamic RGB (Red, Green, Blue) lighting. RGB allows you to change colors, which is perfect for creating a specific mood or attracting attention during a promotion.

Logistics and Project Management

Clear logistics and project management details prevent delays and budget surprises. You need to communicate your quantities, timeline, budget, and shipping needs. This information helps the manufacturer plan production and give you an accurate final cost.

Quantity and Timeline

First, tell the manufacturer how many units you need. The order quantity greatly affects the price. Larger orders reduce the cost per unit because fixed setup expenses are spread across more items.

Tip: Ask if a rapid prototype is needed before the full production run. A prototype lets you test the design. Most manufacturers can create a sample in just 3 to 7 business days.

You should also discuss the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ). Many manufacturers have an MOQ, which is the smallest order they will accept for bulk pricing. This can range from 50 to 100 units or more. Orders below the MOQ are often possible but will have a higher price per display.

Budget and Shipping

Provide a target budget for your project. This helps the manufacturer suggest materials and production methods that fit your financial goals. Being upfront about your budget saves time for everyone.

Finally, you must detail your shipping requirements. Give the manufacturer a full delivery address to get an accurate shipping quote. You also need to specify your packaging preferences. Your choice impacts both cost and product safety.

For a precise shipping quote, especially for international orders, you will need to provide key details. These include the final quantity, box dimensions and weights, and the full destination address. This ensures your new displays arrive safely and on schedule.

Your Downloadable Briefing Template

You have learned all the key elements of a great brief. Now, you can use our template to put it all together. This tool simplifies the entire process, ensuring you cover every important detail for your custom acrylic display.

The Fill-in-the-Blanks Document

Our free template is a simple fill-in-the-blanks document. It guides you through each step of the briefing process. You will not have to worry about forgetting crucial information. The template organizes your thoughts into a professional format that manufacturers understand. It consolidates all the necessary information into one place.

The document prompts you to define:

• Project goals and retail context
• Exact dimensions and structural features
• Material types, finishes, and Pantone codes
• Branding files and lighting needs
• Quantity, budget, and shipping details

Using this template ensures your vision is communicated clearly. It acts as a comprehensive checklist for your project. ✅

Get an Accurate Quote Faster

A detailed brief helps you get an accurate quote much faster. When manufacturers have all the information upfront, they can provide a precise price without guesswork. An incomplete brief often leads to overlooked costs.

Rushing the quoting process can cause manufacturers to miss important details. This results in inaccurate pricing and potential budget issues later.

Our template helps you avoid this problem. It prompts you to provide details that prevent common quoting errors. Manufacturers will not have to guess about costs for:

• Job-specific tooling or fixtures
• Manual assembly and inspection times
• Shipping to and from outside processors

Your completed document defines the part and the manufacturing process. It creates a traceable record for your project. This clarity allows the manufacturer to calculate costs for materials, machine operations, and labor accurately. You receive a reliable quote that reflects the true scope of your project.

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You now know how to brief a manufacturer for your custom displays. A perfect brief includes clear objectives, a precise design, detailed branding, and organized logistics. This preparation streamlines the entire process for your acrylic display. It ensures your vision for the acrylic design is perfectly executed. You can create amazing acrylic displays.

Download our free template today. You can brief a manufacturer with confidence for your next custom acrylic display. ✅

FAQ

What if I don't have a CAD file?

You can start with a simple hand sketch. Provide clear dimensions for width, depth, and height. Many manufacturers have design teams. They can use your sketch to create a professional CAD file for you. This ensures your final design is accurate.

How long does the entire process take?

A rapid prototype usually takes 3 to 7 business days. Bulk production often requires 3 to 4 weeks after you approve the prototype. Shipping time will depend on your location and chosen method. Always confirm the full timeline with your manufacturer.

Can I use my own shipping company?

Yes, you can typically use your own shipping provider. You should inform the manufacturer early in the process. You will need to provide them with your shipping account details. Then, you can coordinate the pickup from their facility.

What is the difference between flame and diamond polishing?

Both methods create a glossy edge on acrylic. Your choice depends on the display's shape and your desired quality. Diamond polishing offers a higher quality finish for straight edges.