First-time working with a contract manufacturer: terms you need to know
In this blog series, we outline what you need to know when it’s time to start working with a contract manufacturer. This is an exciting and sometimes terrifying time and we can help you prepare for this journey.
Before we dive into any of the logistics and processes for working with a contract manufacturer there are some terms you need to know to help you navigate these conversations.
Here are the eight most important terms you need to know before you start reaching out to contract manufacturers:
Filler is a commonly used term used when referring to the contract manufacturer or the people who are making your product
Formula is the product (goop), you are going to put in your bottle/jar etc.
A line trial, if needed, is a test on the production line conducted by the contract manufacturer to ensure your product is being filled correctly and to determine if labels need to be applied. This will help them understand any issues that might come up on a smaller less expensive scale before you get into full production.
A pilot run is when the contract manufacturer does a small scale test run of the formula you are trying to make to ensure there are no issues from the lab batches to the production floor.
The primary packaging is the bottle, the jar, the lid, the pump, any packaging that is directly in contact with the formula.
A product brief is the basic document you provide to the filler or packaging vendor of what you want to make. This is probably one of the more important things you can do as a brand working with any vendor. This document is not set in stone and provides crucial information and guidance to your vendors to help them help you with a successful launch.
The secondary packaging is the folding carton or box that your primary packaging will go inside. The purpose of secondary packaging is to provide ease of shipping, and to provide room for additional information required by law to include on your packaging of a saleable beauty product.
Turnkey is when you only work with the filler who supplies the finished products and you do not work directly with the sub-vendors providing packaging or raw materials. This could be the "one stop shop" for making your beauty product, but is usually more expensive because all the project management and follow-up falls to the filler. Almost any company out there offering fill and assembly services will offer turnkey services. If you are just starting out, turnkey services can certainly be worth the increased price tag to have one point of contact who manages the entire supply chain for you.
If you find any or all of this overwhelming, give us a call. We’d love to chat about how we can help you find the right contract manufacturer for your project. We have relationships with a variety of vendors across the country and can help jump-start this process for you. Contact us below to get started.