Another Room, a cannabis accessory brand founded by Chloe Popove and Shafeez Walji, had a clear vision: to destigmatize cannabis by creating fun, functional products. One of their signature items, the floating ashtray, quickly gained popularity, but scaling production while maintaining the design integrity posed a challenge.
They sought a manufacturing partner who could meet their specific needs around quantity and timeline without compromising on quality. After an extensive search, they found that partner in Makelab, a service specializing in 3D manufacturing for parts, prototypes, and production runs.
The Challenge - Transitioning from In-House Production to Scalable, Sustainable Growth
Another Room initially handled production in-house, with Shafeez personally overseeing the 3D printing process. As demand grew, it became clear that they needed a partner who could scale with them while preserving the unique aesthetic and functional aspects that made their products stand out.
A key priority was finding a partner who could offer flexibility in batch sizes. Chloe and Shafeez were committed to sustainable growth and didn't want to be locked into large, expensive production runs just to meet minimum order requirements.
"We needed a partner who could allow us to scale within our capacity and still meet accessible price points for both us, and our consumers."
— Chloe Popove, Another Room Cofounder
To meet their goals, Another Room needed a partner who could provide consistent quality and offer the flexibility to grow at a sustainable pace.
The Search for a Trusted Partner: Discovering Makelab
Chloe and Shafeez knew that finding the right partner for their production needs was crucial to maintaining the high-quality standards of Another Room. Their search led them to Makelab through trusted recommendations from their network. Chloe's partner, who had attended Pratt with one of Makelab's team members, suggested reaching out to the company, confident in their expertise. At the same time, Shafeez was in conversation with Nathan, a 3D printing expert, who also recommended Makelab as the perfect fit.
After connecting with Makelab, it became clear from the very first call that the partnership would work. The open communication and understanding of Another Room's vision made Chloe and Shafeez feel confident they had found the right partner to help bring their ideas to life.
The Process
The collaboration began with a series of detailed conversations where Makelab took the time to fully understand Another Room's design requirements, aesthetic expectations, and functional goals for The Floating Ashtray. During these initial discussions, both teams aligned on the vision, ensuring that every detail—from geometry to material choice—was addressed before moving forward.
Prototyping and Iterations
After the requirements were clear, Makelab produced high-quality prototypes within days. Through an iterative process, Makelab refined the configurations, such as layer height, infill, and surface finish, ensuring the ashtrays met the highest industry standards for durability and aesthetics.
Quality Assurance
Another Room provided a comprehensive quality control guide, having learned from their own 3D printing experience. Makelab integrated these standards into their production process. Detailed quality checks were performed throughout, with Makelab sharing updates and images to ensure Another Room was always in the loop. The team at Another Room appreciated how their concerns were addressed quickly and thoroughly, as Chloe remarked:
"The level of attention to detail, even down to color-coded images of any potential issues, showed us how much Makelab cared about the final product."
— Chloe Popove, Another Room Cofounder
Shipping and Logistics
In addition to manufacturing, Makelab's end-to-end service streamlined Another Room's logistics by managing the fulfillment process from production to direct delivery. This ensured that every ashtray arrived on time and in pristine condition, helping Another Room keep up with demand.
The Solution
With the understanding from initial conversations and iterations in place, Makelab worked closely with Another Room to ensure that the floating ashtrays were produced with precision and consistency. Leveraging Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology, Makelab fine-tuned the process to deliver on both quality and efficiency, ensuring that every detail met Another Room's standards.
Throughout the project, transparent communication was a key factor. Chloe and Shafeez were impressed by how Makelab facilitated seamless exchanges. "We were honestly surprised at how easy it was to communicate our needs and get such quick responses from the team".
The flexibility to iterate and adjust during the prototyping phase allowed Another Room to scale their production at a pace that worked for them. Makelab adapted their configurations and batch sizes as needed, ensuring that every run—whether for testing the market or meeting growing demand—was of the highest quality.
The Results
In just two and a half months, Another Room transitioned from in-house production to scaling with Makelab's support. The first bulk order of floating ashtrays was delivered to their fulfillment center on time, and pre-orders were fulfilled without delays. The consistent quality of the prints, combined with Makelab's attention to detail and communication, helped Another Room maintain their brand integrity as they grew.
The ability to order in smaller quantities at reasonable prices allowed Another Room to meet customer demand while retaining the personal touch that made their brand stand out. As Chloe noted:
"It felt like Makelab was an extension of our team. They understood what we wanted and worked with us every step of the way."
— Chloe Popove, Another Room Cofounder
Looking Ahead
Building on the success of The Floating Ashtray, Another Room is now working on new custom products with Makelab, continuing to benefit from the collaborative approach. Their next project involves a more iterative process, with multiple prototypes being refined to create the perfect product. This evolving partnership highlights how Makelab's engineering expertise and responsiveness continue to meet Another Room's needs as they expand.
Shafeez reflected on the partnership:
"We didn't know what to expect when we first started working with Makelab, but they've made scaling our production not only possible but enjoyable. We feel confident taking new ideas to them, knowing they'll help us bring those ideas to life."
— Shafeez Walji, Another Room Cofounder
Conclusion
The collaboration between Another Room and Makelab demonstrates how a flexible, detail-oriented approach can help brands grow without sacrificing quality. By managing everything from prototyping to logistics, Makelab provided the support Another Room needed to scale their production smoothly. For brands with a strong emphasis on design and aesthetic consistency, Makelab's approach to 3D manufacturing and effective communication makes them a trusted partner in achieving growth.
If you're looking to scale your production with precision and flexibility, connect with Makelab today to see how we can support your vision.
