| Relevant Manufacturing Experience | Experience producing comparable LED mood lights, such as ambient lamps, color-changing fixtures, or connected lighting products. | Product catalogs, anonymized project histories, sample records, and references from comparable product categories. | Look for documented experience with similar optics, controls, materials, and intended use. Years in business alone do not establish product-specific capability. | ____ / 5 |
| LED and Color Performance | Color consistency, dimming behavior, light output, and the availability of white or RGB color modes. | LED specifications, color-bin information where applicable, dimming test results, and sample units tested at low and high brightness. | Check for smooth dimming without visible flicker, unwanted color shifts, or abrupt steps. Compare samples under the same test conditions. | ____ / 5 |
| Optical and Thermal Design | Diffuser quality, glare control, light uniformity, heat dissipation, and the design’s effect on LED life. | Optical drawings or test reports, thermal measurements, material details, and an operating sample. | Ask how the design manages heat during extended use and how the diffuser reduces visible hotspots. Confirm performance in the intended enclosure. | ____ / 5 |
| Controls and Connectivity | Control options such as buttons, remote controls, timers, touch interfaces, or wireless connectivity. | Control-function matrix, compatibility details, firmware update process, and tests of the selected functions. | Verify that each requested feature works reliably and that wireless or app-dependent functions are tested with the intended configuration. | ____ / 5 |
| Customization and Engineering Support | Ability to adapt housing, colors, light modes, packaging, controls, and product specifications. | Design-for-manufacturing feedback, prototype process, revision records, tooling details, and a written scope for requested changes. | Agree on prototype stages, approval samples, ownership of custom tooling, and the process for engineering changes before placing a production order. | ____ / 5 |
| Production Capacity | Available production lines, current utilization, staffing, equipment, and ability to meet forecast volumes. | Capacity statement by product or line, recent output records, production schedule, and a documented plan for peak demand. | Assess capacity against your own order size and delivery schedule. Request evidence that stated capacity is available, not just theoretical maximum output. | ____ / 5 |
| Quality Management | Incoming-material checks, in-process inspection, final testing, defect tracking, and corrective actions. | Quality procedures, sample inspection reports, test records, defect or return analysis, and corrective-action examples with sensitive details removed. | Confirm that inspection criteria are written, measurable, and agreed before production. Ask how nonconforming units are contained and rechecked. | ____ / 5 |
| Product Safety and Compliance | Whether the finished product and its electrical components meet the requirements of the intended sales markets. | Applicable test reports or certificates, model and component references, labeling details, and a compliance plan for the target market. | Requirements vary by market and product design. Verify that documentation applies to the exact model, power supply, and configuration being purchased. | ____ / 5 |
| Component and Supply-Chain Control | Availability and traceability of LEDs, drivers, controllers, plastics, and other key components. | Approved-component list, change-control procedure, supplier-risk review, and notification policy for substitutions or discontinuations. | Confirm that component changes require approval and that replacement parts are assessed for fit, electrical performance, and compliance impact. | ____ / 5 |
| Lead Time and Delivery Planning | Sample, tooling, production, and shipping timelines, including how delays are communicated. | Written project schedule, order milestones, capacity reservation details, and a process for reporting schedule changes. | Compare the quoted timeline with your launch plan and confirm which stages are included. Treat estimates as project-specific rather than universal benchmarks. | ____ / 5 |
| After-Sales Support | Warranty handling, spare parts, troubleshooting, repair options, and response ownership. | Written warranty terms, support contact process, spare-parts plan, and examples of issue-resolution workflows. | Clarify warranty coverage, claim documentation, response expectations, and responsibility for product or component investigations. | ____ / 5 |