Ever sent a design to a manufacturer and then… crickets?

That silence isn’t because they’re busy. It’s because your design just made their life harder, and no one wants to say it out loud.

Here’s what I’ve learned the hard way: Manufacturers rarely argue. They just bump up your quote, drag out the timeline, and quietly move your project to the bottom of the pile.

If you want a real partnership, your design needs to make their job easier, not harder.

I used to think “tighter tolerances” meant “better quality.” Turns out, it just means “higher cost” and “slower production.” Most features don’t need to be perfect, just the critical ones.

If you're designing parts and you haven't worked in a machine shop, then you need to take some time to learn what makes a part easy to manufacture and what leads to nothing but problems.

Those sharp internal corners that look so clean in CAD? They’re a nightmare. Adding a simple fillet can save you money and headaches.

Don’t forget draft angles if you’re molding parts. Miss this, and you’ll look like a rookie. I’ve been there. It’s not fun.

Here’s another trap: Designing without a manufacturing process in mind. If you don’t know how your part will be made, you’re asking the manufacturer to guess. Guessing equals risk, and risk equals cost.

My advice? Focus on what you’re good at, and bring in help for the rest. Ask your manufacturer what would make their job easier. Sometimes their suggestions will save you a fortune, but don’t just accept every change blindly.

Standardize parts where you can. Exotic materials sound cool, but they’re expensive and slow things down. And not every surface needs to be a showpiece. If it’s hidden, keep it simple.

Before you send out your next design, ask yourself: “If I had to make 10,000 of these, would I hate my life?” If the answer is yes, your manufacturer will too.

Let’s make life easier for everyone, especially the people helping build your future.

What’s the biggest design mistake you’ve learned from? Share your story below. I’d love to hear it.