LOGO white SP one line copie

How to write a Request For Proposal for 3D product visuals?

Table of Contents

Introduction:
 
In today’s business landscape, 3D product visuals are becoming increasingly important in marketing and sales strategies. They allow companies to showcase their products in a more realistic and engaging way, giving customers a better understanding of what they are buying. As a result, many businesses are turning to external vendors to create 3D product visuals for them. However, finding the right vendor and ensuring that they deliver high-quality work can be a daunting task.
 
One solution to this problem is to create a Request for Proposal (RFP) for 3D product visuals. An RFP is a document that outlines the requirements and expectations for a project and invites vendors to submit a proposal to fulfil those needs. By creating an RFP, businesses can ensure that they receive competitive bids from qualified vendors and that their project is completed to their satisfaction.
 
In this white paper, we will discuss the key components of an effective RFP for 3D product visuals. We will cover the information that should be included in the RFP, the criteria that should be used to evaluate proposals, and best practices for managing the RFP process. By following the guidelines presented in this paper, businesses can streamline the vendor selection process, reduce costs, and ensure that they receive high-quality 3D product visuals that meet their needs.

1. Why should you think of implementing 3D product visuals?

Tag Heuer 3D rendering by SmartPixels
3D product visuals are computer-generated images or animations that depict a product in a three-dimensional space. They are created using specialized software that allows designers and artists to model, texture, light, and render a product from any angle, with a high level of detail and realism.
 
3D product visuals are important for several reasons:
 
·      Marketing: 3D visuals can be used to showcase products in an attractive and compelling way, making them ideal for marketing and advertising purposes. They allow companies to create eye-catching product images and videos that can be used in print, in online advertising, and on social media or CRM campaigns.
 
·      Prototyping and product development: 3D product visuals can also be used during the product design and development process. They allow designers to create and test different product iterations quickly, saving time and money. Leveraging 3D visuals, brands can significantly reduce the number of product prototypes created in the design process.
 
·      Sales: 3D product visuals can be used to improve sales by providing customers with a realistic view of a product on e-commerce websites or in-store when the product isn’t exposed. They allow customers to see a product from different angles and perspectives, which can help them make informed purchasing decisions.
 
·      Product personalization experiences: 3D product visuals can be used to show product variations that have never existed before. Brands can leverage 3D technology to create interactive and engaging product personalization experiences. 
 
Overall, 3D product visuals are important because they allow companies to showcase their products in a visually appealing way, improve the design and development process, increase sales, and provide a unique personalised customer experience.

Configurateurs 3D e-commerce

Nous sommes experts en configurateurs de produits 3D interactifs pour le e-commerce
Discover our solution

· What are the benefits of e-commerce 3D product visuals over traditional product photography?

There are several benefits to using 3D product visuals over traditional product photography:
 
·      Gain flexibility: 3D product visuals offer a lot more flexibility than traditional photography. With 3D visuals, you can create product images and videos from any angle, with any lighting and any environment. You can also modify the visuals easily and quickly to accommodate changes in the product design or marketing strategy.
 
·      Save costs: While traditional product photography requires expensive equipment, studio space, and professional photographers to produce a few unique photos, 3D product visuals represent an investment at first but can then be declined in billions of product configurations and views. 3D product visuals can be used at scale which can save a significant amount of money, especially for companies that need to create images of multiple products in different attitudes.
 
·      Improve consistency: With 3D product visuals, you can ensure consistency across all your product images and videos. Traditional photography can be affected by factors such as lighting, weather conditions, and the photographer’s skill level, which can result in inconsistencies in product visuals effect. 3D product visuals, on the other hand, are created using a standardized process and can be replicated perfectly.
 
·      Accrued realism: 3D product visuals can be made to look incredibly realistic, even showing product “imperfections”. With 3D visuals, you can create a product that looks and behaves like the real thing in a 3D scene, allowing customers to get a better understanding of the product before purchasing.
 
·      Save time: 3D product visuals can be created faster than traditional photography. With 3D visuals, you can create multiple product images and videos in a matter of hours, whereas traditional photography can take days or weeks.
 
Overall, the benefits of using 3D product visuals over traditional product photography include greater flexibility, cost savings, consistency, realism, and time savings. These benefits make 3D product visuals an excellent choice for companies looking to improve their product marketing, design, and development processes.

Modélisation 3D

Tirez parti des solutions de numérisation 3D, de modélisation 3D et de rendu 3D photoréaliste pour le e-commerce.
Discover our solution

· What are the different types of 3D product visuals applications available?

3D visual of a watchstrap with a background
Camille Fournet 3D rendering by SmartPixels
There are several types of 3D product visuals available, including:
 
·      3D product renderings: These are realistic, high-quality images of a product that are created using 3D software and graphist skills. They can be used for marketing, advertising, and product design purposes.
 
·      3D product animations: These are short videos that showcase a product’s features and functionality in action. They can be used for marketing, advertising, and training purposes.
 
·      3D product configurators: These are interactive tools that allow customers to customize a product according to their preferences. They can be used on websites or in-store displays to help customers visualize how a product would look with different features and options.
 
·      Virtual reality (VR) product experiences: These are immersive 3D experiences that allow customers to explore and interact with a product in a virtual environment, like in video games or interior design simulations. They can be used to provide a realistic and engaging product experience for customers.
 
·      Augmented reality (AR) product experiences: These are interactive 3D experiences that allow customers to overlay a digital product image onto a real-world environment using their smartphone or tablet. They can be used for various industries from fashion retail to architectural renderings to provide an interactive and engaging product experience for customers.
 
Overall, the various types of 3D product visuals offer different benefits and can be used for different purposes, depending on the needs of the company and the product being marketed or designed.

Réalité Augmentée
for e-commerce

Offrez une visualisation en réalité augmentée de vos produits sur votre site e-commerce ou en boutique.
Discover our solution
Virtual try-on for shoes by SmartPixels

2. What are the benefits of using an RFP process when seeking 3D product visual services?

SmartPixels vs Competitors
Comparison SmartPixels renderings & other companies
Writing a request for proposal (RFP) is important when seeking 3D product visual services because it helps to ensure that the company gets the best possible outcome from the project. Using an RFP process can provide several benefits to the company, including:
 
·      Ensuring clear communication and expectations: An RFP provides a structured format for communicating the company’s needs and expectations to potential vendors. This can help to ensure that there is a clear understanding of the project requirements and can reduce the risk of miscommunication or misunderstandings.
 
·      Allowing for a fair comparison between vendors: An RFP process allows the company to solicit proposals from multiple vendors and compare them on an objective basis. This can help to ensure that the company gets the best possible value for the services provided, while also promoting a fair and competitive bidding process.
 
·      Providing a framework for evaluating proposals: An RFP provides a clear framework for evaluating proposals based on specific criteria, such as the vendor’s experience, expertise, and proposed approach to the project. This can help to ensure that the company selects the most qualified vendor for the project.
 
·      Reducing project risks: By specifying the project requirements and expectations upfront, an RFP can help to reduce project risks and ensure that the project is completed on time, on budget, and to the company’s satisfaction.
 
·      Encouraging innovation: An RFP process can encourage vendors to propose innovative solutions to meet the company’s needs. This can help to promote creativity and ingenuity, leading to better outcomes for the company.
 
Overall, writing an RFP is an important step when seeking 3D product visual services because it helps to ensure that the company gets the best possible outcome from the project while minimizing risks and maximizing value.

3. What are the key elements that should be included in an effective RFP?

Verify that you have all the elements on your checklist

An RFP (Request for Proposal) is an essential document for companies looking to outsource 3D product visual projects to vendors or service providers. An effective RFP should include the following key elements:
 
·      Project Overview: This section should provide an overview of the project, including the purpose, scope, and goals. It should also include a brief introduction to the company and state the number and the type of products that will need to be digitized.
 
·      Specific Requirements: This section should list the specific requirements of the project, including technical specifications (e-commerce integration), file format, product updates and any other relevant details. It should be as detailed as possible to ensure that vendors have a clear understanding of the project’s requirements.
 
·      Timeline: This section should include a detailed timeline for the request for proposal and for the project, including key milestones and deadlines. It should also specify the expected start and end dates of the project.
 
·      Evaluation Criteria: This section should outline the evaluation criteria that will be used to assess proposals. This may include factors such as the vendor’s experience, photorealism of 3D visuals, timeline, existing portfolio, proposed approach, and cost.
 
·      Budget: This section should specify the budget allocated for the project. It should also provide guidance on how vendors should structure their pricing proposals, such as whether they should provide a fixed price or a cost estimate based on hourly rates.
 
·      Deliverables: This section should detail the deliverables that are expected from the project, such as 360° 3D product renderings with AR features. It should specify the format (gltf, fbx,mp4…) and resolution for these deliverables.
 
·      Proposal Submission Requirements: This section should provide clear guidance on how vendors should submit their proposals, including the deadline for submission, format requirements, as well as the project presentation agenda for the different 3D solution providers to the concerned teams. (e-commerce & Marketing, IT…)
 
By including these key elements in an RFP for 3D product visuals, companies can ensure that vendors have a clear understanding of the project requirements and evaluation criteria, which can help to streamline the proposal evaluation process and ultimately lead to a successful project outcome.

· Examples and templates for each of these elements

Here are some examples and templates for each of the key elements that should be included in an effective RFP for 3D product visuals:
 
Project Overview:
 
The project overview should provide a brief description of the project and its objectives. It should include the purpose of the RFP, the scope of the project, and any relevant background information.
Example:
The renowned luxury fashion leather goods brand is seeking proposals from qualified vendors for 3D product visualization services, to provide an immersive 3D product experience. The project aims to create high-quality 3D product visuals for our luxury leather goods line, which includes handbags, wallets, and other leather accessories. We are looking for vendors who can provide us with innovative and creative 3D product visuals that accurately represent our brand’s products. We will then leverage these 3D renderings on all our channels:
 
·         Interactive 3D renderings for our e-commerce website
·         3D renders for our CRM campaigns
·         3D visuals for social media
·         3D images to enhance the in-store product experience
·         3D visuals for print
Specific Requirements:
 
The specific requirements section should outline the key deliverables required from the vendor. This section should be detailed and include any specific technical or creative requirements.
Example:
The vendor is required to provide 3D product visuals for our luxury leather goods line, which includes 18 handbags, 6 wallets, and 12 belts. The 3D visuals should be high-quality and accurately represent the products in terms of colour, texture, and shape. The vendor must have experience in 3D modelling software, texturing, lighting, and photorealistic rendering. The final deliverables must be provided in a format that is compatible with our design software.
Timeline:
 
The timeline section should provide an overview of the project timeline, including key milestones and deadlines. This section should be realistic and take into account any potential delays or challenges.
Example:
The project timeline is expected to be nine months, starting from the date of contract signing. The vendor is expected to deliver the first 3D product visuals within three months of contract signing, with subsequent revisions and final deliverables to be provided on a schedule to be agreed upon by both parties.
Evaluation Criteria:
 
The evaluation criteria section should outline the factors that will be used to evaluate proposals. This section should be clear and objective.
Example:
 
The following factors will be used to evaluate proposals:
 
·         The vendor’s experience and expertise in 3D product visualization
 
·         The quality and creativity of the vendor’s 3D product visuals
 
·         The autonomy of the client to generate additional visuals
 
·         The ease of use of the product generation platform
 
·         The capacity to meet IT’s technical requirements for data privacy
 
·         The vendor’s ability to meet the project requirements and timeline
Budget:
 
The budget section should clearly state the available budget for the project and any limitations or restrictions. For example:
 
The budget for this project is $X.
 
All costs associated with the project, including revisions and maintenance, must be included in the proposal.
 
Additional costs must be pre-approved by the client.
Deliverables:
 
The deliverables section should outline the expected outcomes of the project and any specific requirements.
Example:
 
·         3D models and real-time renderings of specified leather goods products, in 10 different angles
 
·         The 3D model should be declined in 15 colours and 8 material variations.
 
·         The visuals need to be easily editable to launch a product personalization offer later
 
·         Final deliverables in high-resolution files in the format agreed upon with the vendor.
 
·         The right to use and modify the 3D models and renderings for marketing and promotional purposes.
Proposal Submission Requirements:
 
The proposal submission requirements section should outline the format and content required for the proposal. For example:
 
·  Proposals should be submitted via email to [insert email address] by [insert deadline].
 
·  Proposals should include a detailed project plan and timeline, including milestones and deliverables.
 
·  Proposals should include a portfolio of photorealistic 3D renderings and references from previous clients.
 
·  Proposals should include a detailed breakdown of costs, including any optional or additional services offered.

4. Tips for Writing a Clear and concise RFP for 3D product visuals?

Writing a clear and concise Request for Proposal (RFP) for 3D product visuals for fashion luxury brands can be a daunting task, but there are some best practices that you can follow to ensure that your RFP effectively communicates your requirements and expectations. Here are some tips:
·        Use plain language: Avoid using technical terms and industry jargon that may confuse potential vendors. Use clear and simple language to explain your requirements and expectations.
·         Be specific about your expectations and requirements: Provide a detailed description of what you need, including the number of 3D visuals, the type of product(s), and the level of detail required. For example, specify what type of 3D product rendering you need, such as photorealistic 3D renders, 3D animations, or interactive 3D solutions. Also, define the number of products and the level of detail required for each visual. This will help potential vendors understand exactly what you are looking for and provide an accurate proposal.
·         Provide examples: If possible, provide examples of the type of visuals you are looking for. This can be in the form of sketches, images, or existing 3D models that can serve as a reference for the vendor.
·         Clearly define the scope of work: Make sure you clearly define the scope of work, including any limitations, exclusions, or assumptions. This will help avoid misunderstandings and ensure the vendor’s alignment.
·         Be specific about deadlines: Provide a clear timeline for the project, including delivery dates for each immersive visual milestone.
·         Provide reference products and materials:Include reference images, sketches or existing products and material swatches to help vendors understand what you are looking for.
·         Include technical requirements:Define the file formats and resolution needed for the final 3D product visuals. This will help ensure the visuals are compatible with your marketing materials and website.
·         Provide a budget: Be clear about your budget and any constraints that may affect the project, such as the need for multiple rounds of revisions.
·         Request 3D portfolio samples: Ask vendors to provide samples of their 3D renderings software that are relevant to your project. This will help you evaluate their skills and determine if they are a good fit for your project.
By following these tips, you can write a clear and concise RFP that will help you find the right vendor for your 3D product visuals project.
Tips to write a successful RFP
Tips for Writing a Clear and concise RFP

5. How to evaluate and select a 3D product visual vendor based on their response to the RFP?

When evaluating and selecting a vendor based on their response to an RFP for 3D product visuals, here are some tips to help you make an informed decision:

Evaluate their understanding of the project

Review the vendor's responsibility to determine whether they have a clear understanding of your requirements, timeline, and budget. Ensure that they have addressed all your specific requirements and provided a detailed proposal that demonstrates their understanding of the project.

Assess their 3D experience and 3D rendering expertise

Look for vendors who have relevant experience working with fashion luxury brands and creating high-quality 3D product visuals. Review their portfolio to see examples of their previous work and assess their level of expertise in creating the type of visuals you need.

Review their approach and methodology

Ask 3D solution providers to submit details on their approach and methodology for the immersive 3D visual project, including their project management process, quality assurance practices, and revision procedures. This will help you assess their ability to deliver the project on time and to the required standard.

Evaluate their team and resources

Determine if the vendor has the necessary team and resources to deliver the project within your timeline and budget. Assess their team's qualifications, experience, and availability, as well as the software and hardware they use to create 3D product visuals.

Consider their communication and collaboration skills

Compare the vendors' pricing and value proposition to determine which one offers the best balance of image quality, 3D photorealism and affordability for your project.

Consider their pricing and 3D value proposition

Compare the vendors' pricing and value proposition to determine which one offers the best balance of image quality, 3D photorealism and affordability for your project.

By considering these factors, you can evaluate and select a 3D solution provider who can meet your requirements and deliver high-quality 3D product visuals for your fashion luxury brand.

6. To summarize

Writing a good Request for Proposal (RFP) for 3D product visuals is essential for ensuring that your project or business gets the best possible outcomes. A well-written RFP can help you clearly define your requirements and expectations, which can result in better quality 3D visuals that accurately represent your products and brand.
 
When you write a good RFP, you provide potential vendors with the necessary information and context to understand your project goals and requirements. This can help them create accurate and realistic proposals that align with your expectations in terms of 3D product visuals. In turn, this can lead to better outcomes for your project or business by ensuring that the 3D product visuals meet your needs, are delivered on time, and are within budget.
 
Moreover, a good RFP can help you identify the right 3D solution provider who has the necessary skills and experience to deliver high-quality 3D product visuals for your different use cases (website, social media, CRM campaigns, print…). By outlining your specific requirements and expectations, you can attract vendors who are most qualified to handle your project, which can help you achieve better outcomes.
 
In summary, a good RFP is critical for achieving successful outcomes for your 3D product visuals project or business. By providing clear and specific information, you can attract the right vendors, ensure your expectations are met, and ultimately achieve high-quality 3D visuals that accurately represent your products and brand.
 
SmartPixels is an expert in creating photorealistic 3D product visuals for luxury brands across various industries (shoes, leather goods, spirits, perfumes, jewellery, watches, and apparel…). If you are looking for high-quality 3D product renderings, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team! 

3D Portfolio

Discover our 3D photorealistic renderings made for our different customer projects
Visit our portfolio​
SmartPixels 3D rendering portfolio