Bringing a new product to life is an exciting journey, but when it comes to building a prototype, many inventors unknowingly make mistakes that slow down—or even sabotage—their launch.

A prototype is meant to be a stepping stone, not a roadblock. Unfortunately, too many entrepreneurs get caught up in perfection, unnecessary complexity, or poor planning, and their idea never makes it past the prototype phase.

If you're developing a product, here are the three biggest prototype mistakes you need to avoid—and what to do instead.

Mistake #1: Ignoring Manufacturing Feasibility

A prototype might look great on paper (or in a 3D print), but if you don’t consider how it will actually be manufactured, you could be setting yourself up for failure.

Why This Happens

Many inventors focus on functionality and design without thinking about how the product will be mass-produced. They use materials that aren’t scalable, overlook production costs, or create a design that’s too complex for efficie...