In a previous post I wrote about How To Create Your Own Hair or Skin Care Line. I talk about getting very clear on what you want and asking yourself questions to help you to have focus and clarity.
One of the questions is, Are you making the product or a private manufacturer? Over the years, I have heard several horror stories of clients that have gone with private manufacturers and didn&#;t read the fine print of the contract. The relationship with the manufacturer went bad and my clients did not own their formula. My clients wanted to move their business to another manufacturer but they would have to start over as they did not own the formula for their product/s. It would cost them a lot of money. They said they wish they would have consulted with me first or taken one of my Pro Courses to have knowledge on formulating and developing products and before signing the contract. They would have saved money in the long run. I also have students that have come back and told me they learned so much from taking the pro course and they decided to go with a private manufacturer and knew exactly what to ask for developing the product and the contracted terms.
There are Private Label Manufacturers and Contract Manufacturers. Some do both functions and include custom formulating services.
Private Label Manufacturers
Private label manufacturers have stock formulas and you choose from their stock bases for the cosmetic product and scent and the container. The stock bases can usually be slightly modified. They fill the container, label it with your custom label and ship the product.
Pros: This is the fastest way for product development and to bring your product to market. There are no product development costs. There are low minimums on your product and you can see how your product does on the market without putting a lot of money into it.
Cons: You have no control over the ownership of your product. If the manufacturer decides to discontinue a stock base you are using, you have to use another base of theirs and change your label with the listing of ingredients, plus it will be a different formulation that you may not like as much. The manufacturer may go out of business or you may not like their business practices but you are unable to take your business elsewhere since they own the formula. They will not give you the formula. All of these problems have happened to clients of mine that came to me very frustrated.
Contract Manufacturer
Contract manufacturers manufacture from a formula you own, fill and ship your product. You own the formula. You can contract a cosmetic formulator to create the formula, create the formula yourself or go through the manufacturer if they offer the service. Some manufacturers have a cosmetic formulator on staff and they work with you to customize a formulation for you and then at this same facility it is manufactured, filled and shipped to you.
Pros: You own the formula. If you are not happy with the manufacturer you can go to another manufacturer with your formula.
Cons: It is more expensive to have a custom formula developed and it takes more time for product development and longer to market. High minimums are usually required.
If you are thinking about a private label or contract manufacturer here are some questions to assist you to have a clear collaborative relationship with the manufacturer and hopefully save you from heartache and loss of finances.
Questions To Ask Cosmetic Manufacturing Labs
You should know if they are a private label or contract manufacturer or both and then ask the questions below that relate to them.
1. How long have they been in business?
2. Are they a cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) facility? FDA compliant?
Water used? Is it purified to USP standards?
3. Lab Testing-What types of lab testing do they perform?: Do they do CTFA Challenge Testing? Do they do stability testing? or Does the formula need to already passed testing at a lab before coming to them? What tests do they recommend? Do they do microbial testing of every completed batch?
4. Can they produce ___________ (your product ex: lotion)?
5. Do they work with the ingredients in your formula? Can they handle your formula procedures?
6. What other cosmetic products can they manufacture?
7. What are their minimums?
8. What are their maximums for production? (If the product does very well, can they meet the demand?)
9. Pilot Run and Scaling: How do they do this?
10. How much for samples?
11. How many times will they allow you to try the product from the pilot run and tweak it before they charge more?
12. What is the turn around time from when you place your order?
13. What are the R&D (research & development) costs?
14. Raw ingredients: Ingredient Sourcing- how does this work? can they help you with this, do they have some raw ingredients they buy in bulk you can use?
15. What are their mixing capabilities?
16. What Equipment Do they have/use? Stainless Steel? Propeller agitation?
17. Filling: Equipment Used in Filling?: What type of filling system do they have? Does it work with the containers you will be using? Can they do heat fill tubes? How many containers can be filled in 24 hours?
18. Packaging: Do they do Induction Sealing? Shrink Wrap? Labeling?
19. Batching and Filling
Who will be making the product? Is the person going to be on site when the product is being made? Do they do any documentation and inspection of the product while being made?
Can you visit the facility? (most will say no)
20. Timely Delivery of finished products: Cost?
21. Payment Terms?
22. What is their Refund Policy?
23. Policy for damaged goods on arrival?
24. Cost for additional Runs?
25. Do they have a referral from another customer? (contact this customer and ask their experience)
You want to stay in complete ownership of your formula: Owning your formula: If they make any adjustments to the formula or production procedure you want to make it clear that you still own the formula, not them. Make sure to read the contract and that it states this.
Get everything in writing!
Joan Morais is a natural cosmetic formulator, instructor, author and the owner of Joan Morais Naturals. Joan assists product makers on how to make high quality, stable and effective natural body, hair and skin care products for personal use and a product making business.
Knowing the right sources are key to your success. Here are the essential questions you need to ask when looking for the right kind of cosmetic packaging supplier.
When sourcing cosmetic packaging supplies, it&#;s crucial to ask about product quality, customization options, lead times, certifications, and sustainability. These questions will ensure your supplier aligns with your needs and standards for luxury cosmetic packaging and sustainable packaging for cosmetics.
Let&#;s walk through the information you need to extract during the sourcing portion of your work with a cosmetic packaging supplier.
1. What are the lead times for production and delivery?
This class is directly impacting your overall supply chain and your domestic cosmetic tube packaging. You will want to know how long it is going to take your supplier to make and ship this. Making sure you&#;ve got clear production and shipping times will make everything easier to plan.
Make sure you talk to the folks who make your custom cosmetic packaging to get clear and honest timelines. It&#;s always smart to build in a little extra time to make sure. If you need to make sure that you are always moving fast starting with the luxury packaging cosmetics on your packaging designs and the actual product you are boxing up.
If you're setting up for the first time or creating your first product, make sure to discuss with your cosmetic packaging manufacturer how they plan to produce and deliver your packaging on time. If your product needs to be on the shelf in six to nine months, be aware that only a few cosmetic packaging manufacturers can offer this level of reliability and timing. Make sure your supplier can meet your deadlines without compromising on quality.
2. Can you provide product samples?
Samples help you make sure your full order of custom cosmetic packaging will be what you want it to be.
Look at these samples until you&#;re sure they feel durable enough and look attractive enough. This is especially important if you're creating a high-end brand, a premium luxury cosmetic capsule, or unique cosmetic packaging.
You need to ensure that the samples not only show that they are the best cosmetic packaging, but also meet your specific requirements. Sometimes, you&#;ll need to check the dimensions or special features&#;like if they use foil and press it into the shape of a bird. In this case, requesting customized cosmetic packaging samples will help you confirm that your supplier can achieve the exact design and quality you need.
3. What customization options do you offer?
The other half of the game in making your product stand out is to be creative and unique with custom cosmetic packaging.
Talk with the cosmetic packaging companies or custom cosmetic packaging manufacturers about your vision. Ask if they can create containers in your special colors, feature your logos, and include the other beautiful details that will set your product apart from everything else on the market.
Many cosmetic packaging companies will offer you nearly anything you want, including options like biodegradable packaging cosmetics, luxury cosmetic packaging, and innovative designs. Don&#;t hesitate to ask them if they can craft something truly unique cosmetic packaging that reflects the distinctiveness of your brand.
4. Do you have the necessary certifications for quality and safety?
If you want to learn more, please visit our website GLS Package.
Certifications ensure that the cosmetic packaging supplier meets both regulatory standards and high-quality manufacturing processes.
Request certifications like ISO , FDA compliance, or others that may apply to your product line. This will guarantee that your cosmetic packaging meets international standards.
The right cosmetic packaging company should be able to provide certifications for both product safety and environmental practices. If you're considering sustainable packaging for cosmetics, ask about certifications for eco-friendly materials or processes.
5. What is your minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
This is a big deal to you and your budget just as much as it is to any inventory: you need to know what it is. You are testing a new product, or have limited edition thing for sale, you&#;ll need to ask about that.
You should think about making sure that you won&#;t be caught with a mountain of soft-touch packaging or other luxury cosmetic packaging supplies of your own special custom cosmetic packaging containers.
Even though, you might ask your supplier when you start production if they can make anything as part of your special project a few hundred at a time, making it more manageable to keep investing back in you and your fabulous new item!
6. How do you ensure consistent quality control?
Quality control is essential for cosmetic packaging companies to maintain consistent product quality and customer satisfaction.
Ask about the supplier&#;s QC (quality control) processes including what they do for raw materials testing, and production monitoring. Also, what do they do for final inspections?
A solid quality control process is crucial to luxury cosmetics packaging. If the packaging is not up to standard, it can damage the name of your brand. Your cosmetics packaging suppliers should have a process in place to guarantee consistency in both regular and customized cosmetic packaging orders.
7. What are your payment terms and methods?
Clear payment terms are important to ensure a smooth business transaction with your cosmetic packaging supplier.
Ask about payment methods, deposit requirements, and what their payment schedule looks like. Bringing this up early will help you avoid any surprises later on.
For custom cosmetic packaging manufacturers, they may have different payment terms based on the size and complexity of your order. Cosmetic packaging supply companies might have more flexibility on their payment terms for larger purchases or established, returning clients.
8. What is your after-sales service like?
After-sales service ensures that your cosmetic product packaging remains in good shape, and that your concerns are addressed quickly.
Ask your packaging supplier about their process for handling defective items, returns, and customer service support after your products have been delivered.
A good cosmetics packaging supplier will have easy to understand policies for returns, exchanges, and customer service support. This becomes even more important when dealing with luxury cosmetic packaging, as a mistake or a defect can hurt your brand.
9. How do you handle logistics and shipping?
Efficient shipping and logistics are critical to make sure your cosmetic packaging arrives on time and in one piece.
Ask your packaging supplier about their shipping partners, shipping times, and packaging methods for safe transit. Reliable logistics are crucial to make sure your product doesn&#;t get held up and also to prevent damage!
For cosmetic packaging companies, shipping costs and timelines are a big deal. Make sure your supplier has a great system to ship, particularly when you&#;re dealing with luxury packaging cosmetics. Because of the value of these items, extra care needs to be taken to avoid damage.
10. Do you offer sustainable packaging options?
Sustainability is a big deal right now in the cosmetics industry. So, be sure to ask your potential supplier about eco-friendly packaging.
Ask them about biodegradable packaging cosmetics, recycled materials, environmentally friendly inks, or other sustainable ideas. These choices can help you appeal to green-minded customers.
Consumers are extremely interested in sustainability when they buy their cosmetics and skincare products. Offering sustainable packaging for cosmetics may help you stand out among your competitors. So, you definitely need to partner with a company that supports &#;green&#; initiatives.
In summary, by asking these questions of potential cosmetic packaging suppliers, you can be assured that the supplier will provide you with the top-notch quality, reliability, and superior customer support that you need to have to keep up the look of your brand.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of cosmetic bottle manufacturers. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.