Rapid Prototyping
| Advance innovation with on-demand prototyping that takes you from concept to quality parts in as fast as one day |
Certifications
ISO 9001:2015 | ISO 13485:2016 | AS9100D | ITAR Registered
Your Rapid Prototyping Resource for Quality Parts at Speed
Protolabs gives you the ability to prototype custom parts quickly. Our in-house manufacturing facilities in the United States and Europe are digitally automated to speed up manufacturing, resulting in some of the fastest lead times in the industry. Our global network of suppliers adds capacity and capabilities for more complex prototyping requirements.
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Be Fast to Be First
| Design, prototype, iterate, repeat—it's a fast-paced game, especially when you’re under pressure to get to market before your competitors. Our rapid prototyping services shorten the path from concept to launch, so more iterations fit within development schedules, and better-quality products are released earlier. You have to be fast to be first: advance innovation with technology-driven rapid prototyping. |
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“Everyone’s under pressure to deliver on time, on time, on time... Protolabs just tightens the loop, and gets you what you need faster.”
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“It allows us to punch above our weight and allows us to provide quality products quickly to the industry.”
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“Protolabs gave us early prototypes that we could configure and test in real-world conditions. This allowed us to move from idea to execution rapidly.”
Tech-Enabled Quoting & Ordering
| Our enhanced digital platform, ProDesk, cuts down quoting time with automated pricing and AI-enabled design for manufacturability (DFM) feedback. You can instantly configure materials, finishes, and lead times to explore different options before any manufacturing begins, and access engineering support when needed. It provides one centralised location for your team to manage any number of prototyping projects. Try ProDesk |
Our Manufacturing Services
Injection Moulding
Get affordable, high-quality moulded parts and bridge tooling within days. With our free mouldability consultation, the design and moulding process is rapidly accelerated to save you time and money.
- Low-volume moulding up to 100,000+ parts with volume pricing available—no MOQ required
- 100+ plastic, elastomeric, and silicone rubber materials
- Automated CMM for fast, in-house quality documentation
CNC Machining
Leverage the same speed, precision, and reliability in machining that you’re accustomed to at Protolabs but unlock advanced machining capabilities like tighter tolerances and volume pricing through our manufacturing network.
- Machined parts in as fast as 1 day with optional plating and anodising in as fast as 4 days
- Cost-efficient machined parts at higher volumes
- Tolerances down to ±0.001 in. (0.020mm) through our digital network
3D Printing
Want quality parts and additive expertise at a single 3D printing source? Choose from seven different additive manufacturing technologies for cost-effective prototyping and highly precise, repeatable production parts.
- Additive technologies include metal 3D printing, SLA, SLS, FDM, and more
- 30 plastic and metal materials in a range of finishes
- 25 years of additive manufacturing expertise
Prototyping Across Development Stages
Concept ModelsEarly-stage concept models are a critical initial step in the product development process. While parts may not be suitable for functional use, these low-cost, quick-to-manufacture parts are invaluable.
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Functional PrototypesFully functional prototype parts can be used to validate design assumptions and identify any design flaws to refine product design. This stage of product development ensures part design meets final specifications.
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Validation and TestingProducts often undergo a variety of testing to ensure parts can withstand real-world conditions by simulating long-term wear, UV exposure, extreme temperatures, and mechanical stress. This critical pre-production phase improves product reliability and ensures compliance with industry standards.
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11 Tips for Faster PrototypingThese tried-and-tested design principles help streamline manufacturing for maximum efficiency. Apply these tips to your next prototyping project for quality parts in hand in days and move to the next stage of development faster. |
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Quality Measures for Functional Prototypes
Our commitment to quality is not sacrificed for prototyping speed. Every part manufactured by our in-house factories and global supplier network is held to stringent quality control measures, so you can accurately assess the functionality. We can provide inspection documentation and industry-standard certifications for any project large or small.
| CMM inspection report |
| Dimensional Inspection Reports (DIRs) |
| Material Certificates & Certificate of Analysis |
| Industry Certifications: ISO 9001. AS9100 D, and ISO 13485 as well as ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and IATF ISO TS16949 through our network of suppliers |



