Confectionery

Rapid Prototyping Services

We understand the need to generate prototypes at speed and in all shapes and sizes for many uses; whether you're testing a product concept and require a PR sample to get the coverage needed for a successful launch, looking into utilising promotional branded chocolates or are planning an influencer send out that makes waves, we have the capability to help turn this around quickly.

With the use of our high-tech 3D scanners, creative CAD team and rapid mould sampling techniques, DPS offers prototyping services unlike others. As we work with all parts of the process under one roof, we can quickly turn around prototypes without the tooling charges, keeping costs low and MOQs down to a minimum, with projects starting from just 1 single unit.

Prototyping services

Bespoke Designed Prototypes

Rapid prototyping is a game changer that allows you to test new product concepts, create branded corporate send outs, make a buzz in the world of PR with an extraordinary creation and so much more, all without the investment in tooling costs. With our highly skilled creative CAD team, we can quickly turn around bespoke projects into real life products all within a few days.

Just some of the ways our prototyping services have been used include:

  • Corporate Gifting: Create custom-branded chocolates for clients or employees, enhancing your corporate image.
  • One-off PR Projects: Design unique chocolates for media stunts, product launches, or promotional events to capture attention.
  • Product Launches: Introduce new ranges to buyers and customers with retail samples and prototypes to test market reactions.
  • Customer Loyalty Programs: Reward loyal customers with exclusive, custom-designed chocolate gifts.
  • Special Events: Create bespoke chocolates for weddings, anniversaries, or milestone celebrations.
  • Marketing Campaigns: Use custom chocolate designs as part of a creative marketing strategy to engage audiences.
  • Trade Shows: Attract visitors to your booth with custom-designed chocolates that highlight your brand.
  • Restaurant and Hospitality Gifts: Provide custom chocolates for hotel turndown services or as after-dinner treats to enhance guest experiences.
  • Prototyping services

    The Development Process

    We're flexible to work across any form of prototyping project and are keen to accept new challenges. The rapid prototype process depends on the form of project you'd like us to work on however our usual steps and timelines are...

    • Send over your brief via the contact form, email, or simply a phone call to our friendly team! This brief could be an idea, an image or even an object to 3D scan and replicate
    • Our skilled team of CAD designers will model up a 3D render of your concept and share this for feedback
    • Once signed off, we'll go ahead and create your prototype moulds within 1-2 days
    • Depending on the project brief, we can either create finished goods in our R&D kitchen to be sent straight to the recipient, or send on the moulds for you to work your magic with

    We work hard to turn around this whole process within a 1-2 weeks dependent on the project and your timelines, so you can get your hands on your finished prototypes and put them to good use!

    Prototyping services

    A Chocolate Win at the Baftas

    We've long been the go-to prototyping partner for many of our customers when they have a project that seems unfeasible whether that be the size of it, turnaround time or simply being something that's never been done before! We welcome challenges and one of our favourites to date is a giant (we're talking 6ft) chocolate bafta mask mould that Hotel Chocolat had been commissioned to make for the Bafta ceremony. We set our minds to it and bent the laws of mould-making to create this beauty of a chocolate mould...winning all the attention at the Baftas.

    Other examples of projects we've worked on include:

    • Deliveroo x Love of Huns collaboration, creating a chocolate hollow bust of Alison Hammond to raise money for charity.
    • Alpro PR Project, creating giant smashable chocolate milk bottles to celebrate the launch of their latest milk alternative product. See image above.

    Who we work with…

    Working alongside brands you know and love

    From multi-national companies to artisanal chocolatiers and everyone in-between, we build meaningful relationships, providing expert guidance and innovative solutions.
    Take a look at just some of our loyal customers below!

    Contact us today

    We are always looking for our next challenge, so if you have a questions or have a project we could help with, please contact us via our contact form or one of the following methods:

    Studio

    We’ve been designing, machining and delivering thermoform tooling for 30 years and constantly reinvest in our capability to ensure we
    stay ahead.

    What OUR CUSTOMERS say...
    Don’t just take our word for it…
    "Working with DPS has been an absolute pleasure and critical to the success of our project work.
    The DPS team have offered agile, turn-key solutions from design and prototyping all the way through to scaled production, with great quality.
    They have been committed to our success and are key business partners."

    Pladis Western Europe SSA & APAC

    Ross Morrison, Research & Development Director

    "Artisan du Chocolat has worked almost exclusively with DPS since 2015. During this time, they have
    been instrumental in developing and delivering high quality innovative chocolate moulds in short lead times.  Their positive
    attitude combined with creativity and technical competence has made them a trusted and irreplaceable partner for Artisan du Chocolat."

    Artisan du Chocolat

    Anne Weyns, Founder

    "DPS Designs has provided us with first-rate moulds that meet our high expectations. Their attention to detail and commitment
    to quality have been evident in every interaction. More importantly, their ongoing support has been invaluable. DPS' expertise and dedication
    have helped us not only create our moulds but also advise us on techniques to enhance their longevity through effective cleaning methods."

    Percy's Baking UK LTD

    Mario Holbrook-Yalias, General Manager

    "Walkers Chocolates and DPS have worked very closely for a number of years across a wide variety of projects.
    DPS have been nothing shorted of amazing during this time helping us to overcome challenges, offering solutions to complex
    moulding issues and championing our business within their network. We couldn’t recommend Fanzi and the team at DPS enough"

    Walkers Chocolates

    Tom Murtagh, Commercial Director

    "Hugely knowledgable, accurate and super-efficient, it is always a pleasure to work with Fanzi and the team at DPS."

    Mummy Meegz

    Helen Hartley, Managing Director

    "Having utilised DPS' flare and creativity to help with the design and implementation of many seasonal products
    from hollow chocolate figures to stick packs, I am still amazed at their irrepressible belief that ‘we will make this work’, and their overall ‘can do’ attitude,
    often working to compressed timelines. We are incredibly proud of the products Fanzi, and the team at DPS, have helped us develop over the years."

    Kinnerton

    Adam Guymer, NPD Senior Process Technologist

    "DPS have contributed to a number of successful projects, and given a lot of inspiration and motivation
    to our team to develop more innovative products together. In DPS we find a highly motivated team, who are very
    professional and reliable in all respects. It has been a great pleasure working with them and we look forward to more exciting projects to come"

    Rübezahl Schokoladen GmbH

    Gisela Baumgaertner, Export Manager

    "We have been working with DPS now for many years and can’t fault the service we get from concept to the finished product. The development work is always innovative and the DPS team are very knowledgeable."

    OV Group

    Mike Holland, Design & Packaging Manager

    "DPS and Klett Schokolade have been working together as equals for many years.
    We particularly like the speed and the open exchange with the entire team."

    Klett Schokolade

    Christopher Klett, Managing Director

    "The team at DPS are highly professional and very well organised.
    Their customer service and speed of response is excellent, as are the products they produce.
    They have assisted us greatly in a complex product launch."

    Lola's Cupcakes

    Mario Budwig, Managing Director

    "Artisan du Chocolat has worked almost exclusively with DPS since 2015. During this time, they have
    been instrumental in developing and delivering high quality innovative chocolate moulds in short lead times.  Their positive
    attitude combined with creativity and technical competence has made them a trusted and irreplaceable partner for Artisan du Chocolat."

    Artisan du Chocolat

    Anne Weyns, Founder

    "Hugely knowledgable, accurate and super-efficient, it is always a pleasure to work with Fanzi and the team at DPS."

    Mummy Meegz

    Helen Hartley, Managing Director

    "DPS Designs has provided us with first-rate moulds that meet our high expectations. Their attention to detail and commitment
    to quality have been evident in every interaction. More importantly, their ongoing support has been invaluable. DPS' expertise and dedication
    have helped us not only create our moulds but also advise us on techniques to enhance their longevity through effective cleaning methods."

    Percy's Baking UK Ltd

    Mario Holbrook-Yalias, General Manager

    "Working with DPS has been an absolute pleasure and critical to the success of our project work.
    The DPS team have offered agile, turn-key solutions from design and prototyping all the way through to scaled production, with great quality.
    They have been committed to our success and are key business partners."

    Pladis Western Europe SSA & APAC

    Ross Morrison, Research & Development Director

    "The team at DPS are highly professional and very well organised.
    Their customer service and speed of response is excellent, as are the products they produce.
    They have assisted us greatly in a complex product launch."

    Lola's Cupcakes

    Mario Budwig, Managing Director

    "Walkers Chocolates and DPS have worked very closely for a number of years across a wide variety of projects.
    DPS have been nothing shorted of amazing during this time helping us to overcome challenges, offering solutions to complex
    moulding issues and championing our business within their network. We couldn’t recommend Fanzi and the team at DPS enough"

    Walkers Chocolate

    Tom Murtagh, Commercial Director

    Ready to start your next project with us?