Tooling and product development
Who Pays for Tooling and Who Owns the Mold?
Separate payment, physical ownership, custody, permitted use, and design rights before approving a tooling deposit.
Read the guide
The Linkbase field guide
Practical China sourcing guidance for better decisions.
Clear frameworks for tooling, samples, supplier checks, MOQs, sourcing models, and product development. Written for overseas buyers who want useful questions before making commitments.
Sampling and product development
How Much Do Product Samples from China Cost and How Long Do They Take?
Plan stock, customised, prototype, and pre-production samples by separating making cost, tooling, revisions, testing, and delivery.
Read the guide
Supplier due diligence
How to Tell If an Alibaba Supplier Is a Real Factory
Check the legal entity, assessment report, production process, quotation, sample, and facility evidence without relying on one badge.
Read the guide
Supplier due diligence
How to Verify a China Supplier Before Paying a Deposit
Check the legal entity, operating role, quotation, sample, payment details, and production follow-through in a sensible order.
Read the guide
Choosing a sourcing model
Sourcing Agent vs Factory vs Trading Company
Compare roles, incentives, strengths, and limitations without assuming that one model is right for every order.
Read the guide
Order planning
China MOQ Guide for Small Brands
Understand what creates minimum order quantities and which changes can reduce first-order risk.
Read the guideNeed project-specific help?
Turn your product idea into a clearer sourcing brief.
Share the product, target quantity, customization, and any supplier information you already have.