The Realities of Small-Scale Production

Producing in small batches comes with a unique set of challenges. When you’re not ordering in high volumes, you quickly learn that you won’t always be first in line. Special requests—such as unique colors, finishes, or specific details—can be difficult to secure, either because they require too much effort from the manufacturer or because they become prohibitively expensive for you as the client.

That said, I’ve been fortunate. Through strong communication and persistence, I’ve often managed to get the flexibility needed to bring a product to life exactly as envisioned. Building close relationships with manufacturers has helped immensely, proving that persuasion and dialogue can take you far.

However, small-scale production also comes with risks that even strong relationships can’t always prevent. Take my latest production run: 60 cups were supposed to be delivered to Copenhagen, but instead, they ended up in France. Would this have happened if the order had been 1,000 cups? Almost certainly not. When producing in large volumes, manufacturers have more at stake, and ensuring accuracy becomes a higher priority.

For independent designers and small brands, this is the reality we navigate. Balancing quality, customization, and logistics in small production runs requires patience, resilience, and the ability to adapt when things don’t go as planned. But despite the occasional hiccup, small-scale production remains one of the most rewarding ways to bring meaningful, carefully crafted products into the world.