The hard facts
Freelance tech packs typically cost £30 to £200, according to Fabrickly’s 2026 comparison, and the bigger costs in product development usually come from repeated samples and late changes. This Source to Spec page collects the published numbers Cydney Mar points founders to, and what moves them up or down.
Published by Cydney Mar · Last updated:
There is no single price, because cost depends on product complexity, materials, quantities and how many sampling rounds you need. What you can control is rework: a clear specification reduces the number of rounds, and agreeing payment terms in writing protects your cash.
Cydney Mar does not publish her own consulting prices; contact her through her main website for a figure matched to your product and stage.
Each figure below belongs to the source named with it.
17% / 67% / 33%
In Fabrickly’s own test of tech pack providers: 17% excellent, 67% workable, 33% wasted money.
50% + 50%
Example payment split: half upfront, half after receiving the shipment.
Drivers
Levers
Plan the cash you need before production starts. Enter your order total and deposit percentage to see what you pay upfront and on delivery.
Enter an order total above zero and a deposit between 0 and 100 percent to see the split.
Assumptions: one deposit and one balance payment, in the currency you entered, with no fees, duties or exchange costs. The default 50% follows the example in Shopify’s manufacturing guide. This is an estimate to help you plan, not financial or legal advice; agree real terms in writing with your supplier.
If your design, materials and costing are already settled and you only need the document drawn up, a freelance tech pack designer may suit you. If you want to resell existing products, a wholesale or dropshipping supplier fits better than a development process.
The Concept-to-Reality Pathway is built for founders of consumer products for retail, TV and direct-to-consumer who have an idea and want expert guidance from definition to launch, without costly guesswork. Compare the options side by side.
Back to the full guide on how to find suppliers for your product
Freelance tech packs commonly cost £30 to £200, with most under £100, according to Fabrickly’s 2026 comparison of tech pack companies. Price rises with product complexity, number of sizes and number of components. Fabrickly also reported that in its own test 17% of results were excellent, 67% workable and 33% wasted money, so quality varies widely.
More in the FAQProduct development consultant fees vary widely with scope, from a single advisory session to hands-on support through production. Cydney Mar does not publish prices on her website. The practical way to get a figure is to describe your product and stage through her contact page, then compare the scope offered against what you would otherwise pay for rework.
More in the FAQMany founders split payment so the factory is committed and you keep leverage until goods arrive. Shopify’s guide to finding a manufacturer gives the example of proposing 50% upfront and 50% after receiving the shipment. Terms are negotiable, so agree them in writing alongside the specification, quantities, delivery date and what happens if goods fail inspection.
More in the FAQAdd every cost per unit: materials from the bill of materials, labor, packaging, freight, duties, and any fees to sell. Then compare that landed cost with your selling price to find your margin. Cydney Mar’s pathway includes a dedicated Cost and Margins stage so founders build for real profit and scalability, not just a first run.
More in the FAQCosts rise with complexity, custom materials, extra sizes or colorways, low order quantities, repeated sampling rounds and late design changes. Unclear specifications are a hidden driver because each misunderstanding can mean another sample. Settling design decisions early and writing them into a tech pack is the most direct way to reduce rework.
More in the FAQSamples cost money because the factory sets up patterns, sources materials and uses skilled labor to make a single piece or small set outside a production run. Some factories credit sample fees against a later order. Ask before you pay, and keep each sample with notes so you can compare rounds.
More in the FAQCydney Mar helps founders take consumer products for retail, TV and direct-to-consumer from idea to production through her Concept-to-Reality Pathway.
Published by Cydney Mar