Custom Pet Furniture, From Drawing to Production
A fully original design costs no tooling in wood — no mould cost - solid wood and panel parts are cnc-cut directly from drawings. The only real development cost is the sample at $80-350, refunded against the first bulk order. Sampling takes 15-20 days, production runs approx. 30-45 days, and the minimum is 100 pcs per design.
The machining envelope and the things we genuinely cannot do are published further down. Knowing the limits before you draw is worth more than a promise that anything is possible.
What can be customised
| Element | Scope |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Any size within the machining envelope below |
| Wood species | Any species listed in the material table |
| Finish colour | Pantone matched, gloss level 10-80 |
| Fabric and filling | Buyer-nominated fabric accepted once it passes a rub and shrink test |
| Hardware | Finish, type and buyer-nominated brands |
| Logo and branding | Engraving, printing, labels and nameplates |
| Packaging | Carton design, artwork, inserts and barcodes |
| Assembly manual | Buyer artwork or factory-drawn, in any language |
The machining envelope — and what it rules out
Most factories answer "can you make this?" with "yes". These are the actual constraints of the equipment and the material. Designing inside them is cheaper and faster than discovering them at sample stage.
- Maximum single wooden panel: 2,400 x 1,200 mm.
- Maximum assembled height for a free-standing unit: 2,100 mm. Above this the unit ships with a wall-anchor kit and an anti-tip warning label.
- Minimum solid-wood section for a load-bearing leg: 30 x 30 mm.
- Curved and carved parts add 5-8 days to sample lead time.
- Pantone matching on open-grain oak and ash is approximate - the grain shows through, so a drawdown must be signed off.
- Buyer-nominated fabric must arrive at the factory at least 15 days before the production start date.
A design that fits the machining envelope and packs into a standard carton costs less to make and far less to ship than one that misses both by 40 mm.
Material choices available to a custom design
| Species | Density | Where it is used |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand pine | 400-500 kg/m³ | Default frame material. Light, stable, takes paint evenly, lowest cost. |
| Paulownia | 260-330 kg/m³ | Lightest option - cuts air-freight and shelf weight, but lower screw retention. |
| Rubberwood | 560-640 kg/m³ | Harder; used for load-bearing legs and stair treads. |
| Beech | 680-750 kg/m³ | Premium turned parts, Roman columns and carved detail. |
| Ash / Oak | 650-760 kg/m³ | Open-grain premium finish for natural and oiled looks. |
Most good designs mix two species — a softer one for panels, a harder one for legs and load points. Full species comparison.
Finish systems
| System | VOC | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water-based paint | Low VOC | Default for pet-contact surfaces. Pet-safe once fully cured. |
| NC lacquer | Solvent-based | Faster cure and deeper gloss, for non-contact decorative surfaces. |
| UV coating | Very low | Flat panel parts only - hardest surface, best scratch resistance. |
| Natural wood oil / wax | Low | Open-grain Scandinavian look on ash and oak. |
Development sequence
-
Enquiry and DFM review 24-72 h
Drawings, reference photos or an existing design are reviewed for machinability, material cost and shipping volume. Quotation returned with a BOM breakdown.
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Sampling 7-20 days
CNC cutting, assembly, finishing, then a photo and video set before dispatch. The sample charge is refunded against bulk.
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Sample approval Buyer-controlled
A signed golden sample and a signed colour drawdown are retained at the factory as the production reference.
-
Mass production 30-45 days
Timber selection, kiln-dry check, CNC, sanding, assembly, 4-coat finishing, 48-72 h cure, sewing and packing.
-
Inspection 2-3 days
100% final inspection plus AQL 2.5 / 4.0 pre-shipment sampling. Third-party inspection is booked at this stage if required.
-
Shipping Per Incoterm
Loading photos, packing list, commercial invoice, B/L and certificate of origin are issued. FOB Guangzhou or Shenzhen as standard.
Custom development questions
What is the minimum quantity for a fully custom design?
100 pcs per design for OEM and ODM production orders. Samples are available before a bulk order. Sample orders require 100% payment in advance.
What does custom development cost?
For wooden parts, effectively just the sample: $80-350, and sample charges are refunded against the first bulk order of the same design. No mould cost - solid wood and panel parts are CNC-cut directly from drawings. CNC setup is $0-200 per new design (waived on orders above 300 pcs). Custom metal or die-cast hardware is the one real tooling cost at $300-800 per custom metal or die-cast part.
How long does a custom design take?
Drawing review 48-72 hours, sample 15-20 days (add 5-8 days for curved or carved parts), your approval time, then approx. 30-45 days of production. Budget 10-14 weeks from first drawing to a container on the water.
What are the size limits?
Maximum single wooden panel: 2,400 x 1,200 mm. Maximum assembled height for a free-standing unit: 2,100 mm. Above this the unit ships with a wall-anchor kit and an anti-tip warning label. Minimum solid-wood section for a load-bearing leg: 30 x 30 mm.
Can I supply my own fabric or hardware?
Yes. Buyer-nominated fabric is accepted once it passes a rub and shrink test, and buyer-nominated hardware brands are fine. The one hard rule: Buyer-nominated fabric must arrive at the factory at least 15 days before the production start date.
Can you match a specific colour?
Pantone (TPG / TCX) or a supplied physical chip. A colour drawdown is sent for signature before mass production. On open-grain species like oak and ash the match is approximate because the grain shows through — sign the drawdown against the actual species, not against a pine chip.
Will you tell me if my design has problems?
Yes, before quoting. The review flags joints that will not hold, sections too thin for a screw, panel sizes that waste board, curves that force hand-finishing, and anything that inflates packed volume. You get alternatives with their cost effect, not a refusal.
Do I own the design?
If you supplied it, yes — you own it and we do not offer it to anyone else. If we developed it for you from a brief, the modifications are held for you; put exclusivity in writing on the order if the commercial position matters.
Where to go next
CatFurnitureHome production team — Tira Chan, Export Sales Manager, with the workshop supervisors in Lecong Town, Shunde District, Foshan. Last reviewed 2026-09-03. Figures on this page are indicative for standard specifications; confirmed values are issued with your quotation.
Send the drawing, get engineering feedback
CAD file, dimensioned sketch or a reference photo with one known dimension. You get back manufacturability notes, a material recommendation and a costed quotation in 48-72 hours.