[chrisbigelow]

Finding the right manufacturer is never an easy process. My approach varies depending on how tight my budget is and what I'm trying to manufacture.

If I have significant investment capital or lined up buyers on a high-margin product, I'd look for a US supplier on ThomasNet, at least to start, once you go through the small-run back and forth you can look to moving manufacturing overseas. I've had poor experiences with the "Alibaba Method" (finding a Alibaba seller w/ a similar product and then trying to get yours made or white label their existing product). Often times the sellers on Alibaba aren't the actual manufacturers.

For Electronics: Go right to China. https://www.pcbway.com/ is a great company for rapid, small-run prototypes. They are also reasonable at volume.

Injection-moulding, Extrusions: You often won't save significantly by looking overseas. Find a U.S supplier to start. Prototype with small-batch methods (3d printing, laser, milling).