From brief to repeat order, in ten defined stages
A private-label cosmetics project has more moving parts than most people expect — formula, sample, packaging, artwork, compatibility testing, production, export. Here is exactly what happens, in what order, and what you receive at each stage.
Ten stages, with an approval point at each one
Nothing moves forward without your sign-off. You always know which stage your project is at, and what happens next.
- Confirm brief
- Product plan
- Develop samples
- Packaging approval
- Compatibility test
- Pilot approval
- Bulk production
- Quality inspection
- Shipment
- Refine & reorder
What happens at each stage
Confirm the brief
Send us the product category, the market you are selling into, how the product should be positioned, your target price range and the sales channel you have in mind. If you already have a reference product or a competitor you are benchmarking against, send that too — it removes a lot of guesswork.
Product plan
We set the formula direction, the packaging format, the target cost and a schedule. This is where we tell you if something in the brief is not realistic at your price point — before you spend money on samples.
Develop samples
Depending on the brief we either adapt a formula we have already developed (ODM) or build a new one from scratch (OEM). For fragrance this is where the scent direction is interpreted; for skincare and haircare it is where the active system, texture and performance targets are set.
Packaging approval
Primary packaging — bottle, jar, tube, airless, pump or cap — is sourced and confirmed against the formula. Your artwork is then applied to the label, carton and outer box. If you are supplying your own packaging or artwork, this is where we confirm it meets the requirements.
Compatibility test
The formula and the packaging are tested against each other, along with stability checks. Some combinations that look fine on paper fail here — which is exactly why it happens before production rather than after.
Pilot approval
A pilot run confirms that the formula behaves the same way at production scale as it did in the laboratory. You review the pilot output and give final approval before the full run is scheduled.
Bulk production
The full run is produced against your approved sample. Raw materials are verified on arrival, first-article approval confirms key parameters before the run begins, and in-process checks run throughout mixing, filling and packaging.
Quality inspection
Finished product testing covers appearance, skin feel, physicochemical properties and microbiological quality. Retained samples and traceability documents are kept from the batch, so if anything is questioned later there is a physical reference to compare against.
Shipment
Goods are packed for export and the documentation your destination requires is prepared. Shipping is coordinated to your nominated port or warehouse, under the Incoterms agreed with your order.
Refine & reorder
After launch we review what the market told you and what could be improved. Your formula and packaging specification are retained, so repeat orders can be scheduled without going through development again.
The eight-stage production system behind it
While you are working through the project stages above, production runs on its own documented sequence inside the facility.
- Product concept
- Formula development
- Sample approval
- Ingredient control
- Manufacturing
- Filling & packaging
- Quality inspection
- Storage & delivery
How quotation works
We do not publish a price list, because the same product can cost very different amounts depending on the packaging you choose, the concentration or active level you specify, and the quantity you order. A quotation that ignored those variables would be meaningless.
Instead, once the formula direction and packaging format are settled, you receive a quotation that breaks down what you are paying for — formula, filling, packaging and any additional costs. If the total is higher than your target, tell us, and we will show you which variables can be adjusted and what the trade-off is for each one.
Minimum order quantity and lead times
Our minimum order quantity is 1,000 units. Because every product is developed and produced to order, the exact figure depends on the product category, the packaging you select and the formula involved — we confirm it with your quotation.
Samples are typically ready within 7–10 days of brief confirmation, and trial orders can ship within 15 days of approval. The full timeline for your project depends on the packaging format and whether stability testing is required — we confirm it with your quotation.
What we need to quote your project
Send us these and you will get a concrete answer instead of a list of questions.
- Product category and format
- Target market and country of sale
- Positioning and target retail price
- Sales channel (online, retail, professional)
- A reference product, if you have one
- Packaging preference, or your own packaging
- Estimated order quantity
- Any deadline you are working towards
Questions about the process
Do I need to have a finished brand before contacting you?
No. Plenty of our customers arrive with nothing more than a product idea and a target market. What we do need is enough information to understand what you are trying to build — the category, the market and roughly where it should sit on price. Branding and artwork can come later.
How long does the whole process take?
Samples are typically ready within 7–10 days of brief confirmation, and trial orders can ship within 15 days of approval. The full timeline depends on the packaging format and whether stability testing is required — we confirm it with your quotation.
How many sample revisions do I get?
We revise until you approve. In practice most projects settle within a small number of rounds, but there is no hard cut-off — the sample has to be right before production starts, because that is what the production run is measured against.
Why do you test packaging compatibility before production?
Because some formula and packaging combinations look fine on paper and fail in practice — leaching, discolouration, pump failure, label lift. Testing it before the full run costs a fraction of discovering it afterwards.
Can I supply my own packaging and artwork?
Yes. If you already have bottles, jars or tubes, we can fill and finish into them. If you have artwork prepared, send it in a print-ready format and we will confirm it meets the requirements before printing.
Who owns the formula once it is developed?
Formulas developed to your brief for your order are produced exclusively for you and are not sold to other customers. If you would like this stated in writing as part of your order, tell us and we will include it.
Ready to start stage one?
Send us your product brief and we will reply with an initial direction, feasibility and the next questions we need answered.