How to prepare a furniture production enquiry

NEXART — PRODUCTION FOR BRANDS / COMMISSIONING NOTES

How to prepare a
furniture production enquiry

Choosing a production partner begins with a brief that can be assessed. Explain what the product must do, which parts of the design are established and what still needs development. A clear distinction between requirements and preferences makes the first conversation more useful.

NEXART is a manufacturing atelier in Antwerp, Belgium, developing prototypes and producing solid-wood furniture and architectural objects for brands, designers and galleries. Its Production for Brands service supports work under the client’s name, with project requirements assessed before scope and quotation are confirmed.

01 / THE BRIEF

Define the project stage

State whether your enquiry concerns design development, a prototype, an individual piece or a production series. If a sample already exists, explain whether it is a visual reference or the intended production reference. Identify any unresolved choices rather than hiding them in separate files.

For a proposed series, distinguish the quantity needed now from a possible later order. Give the intended destination and target date, identifying any launch or installation milestone. Treat those dates as information for assessment until timing is agreed for the project.

02 / THE BRIEF

Make the drawings understandable

Attach the available sketch, drawing or 3D model. Use consistent dimensions and units, and identify the latest version. Mark essential features and explain the intended use of the finished piece.

If some components will come from another supplier, identify them in the brief and explain their relationship to the furniture. State the questions you want the atelier to review. This can help avoid assumptions about which elements belong in the proposed scope.

03 / THE BRIEF

Describe the material and finish

Specify the preferred wood and finish, with reference photographs or samples identified where available. Explain which appearance details are critical to the design. If different references conflict, indicate which takes precedence.

NEXART reviews geometry, construction and proposed materials. Its machining approach and usable component size depend on the design, tooling and workholding; machine travel alone does not establish whether a part is feasible.

04 / THE BRIEF

Your enquiry checklist

  • Brand or company name and project contact.
  • Product description, intended use and current design stage.
  • Drawings or models, with version and units identified.
  • Dimensions, initial quantity and any separate future estimate.
  • Preferred material, finish and reference information.
  • Delivery destination and target date.
  • Branding, packaging and confidentiality requirements to discuss.
  • Questions about prototype scope, specification or production.

Do not treat a first enquiry as an agreed manufacturing specification. Use it to establish the information and decisions the project needs.

05 / THE BRIEF

Establish the production reference

NEXART reviews design, wood, construction and finish before the production specification is agreed. Where prototyping forms part of the scope, it establishes a reference before the series. Hand-finishing and checks are made against the approved specification.

Ask which decisions and approvals will define your project’s reference, and record them consistently across the brief and drawings. Confirm quantities, technical requirements, timing and commercial terms through the agreed project process.

Explore Production for Brands and start a confidential enquiry.