Starting a cosmetics business can be a complicated process for new cosmetics business owners, especially when it comes to finding the right manufacturer. But finding the best cosmetics manufacturer can be a little tricky at first.
That’s why I’ve written this guide. This guide is designed to help you through the process by providing practical advice and insights on how to find a reliable cosmetics manufacturer in China.
To choose the best cosmetics manufacturer for your startup, consider product type, formulation, quality standards, production volume, and budget. Research potential manufacturers, check their credentials, assess their capabilities, compare prices, and request samples. Finally, sign a contract with your chosen manufacturer.
By following this guide, you can make an informed decision and find a manufacturer that meets your needs and helps your business thrive. So if you want to make your cosmetics business more profitable, this guide is well worth reading!
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the crucial steps of selecting the perfect manufacturer for your cosmetics startup. From defining your product type and formulation to comparing prices and checking credentials, we’ll provide you with the essential knowledge you need. So, whether you’re planning to launch a line of organic skincare products or a vibrant collection of lipsticks, read on to discover how to turn your vision into a reality with the right manufacturing partner.
Decide what cosmetics you want to make
Imagine you’re going shopping. You wouldn’t just walk into a store without knowing what you wanted to buy, would you? The same goes for choosing a cosmetics manufacturer. You need to know what you’re looking for.
Here’s what you need to consider:
Select your product type: What kind of cosmetics do you want to make? Are you interested in lipsticks, eyeshadows or skincare products? Or maybe you want to create a whole range of products? Just as you’d decide whether you want to buy shoes, clothes or accessories, you need to decide what kind of cosmetics you want to make.
Define your formulation: This is like deciding on the style of clothes you want to buy. Do you want your cosmetics to be organic, vegan or perhaps hypoallergenic? This is the ‘recipe’ for your cosmetics, the ingredients that will be used.
Set your quality standards: This is about how good you want your cosmetics to be. Just as you’d decide whether to buy high-end designer clothes or more affordable fast fashion, you need to decide the quality of your cosmetics.
Determine your production volume This is how many units of your cosmetics you want to produce. It’s like deciding how many clothes you want to buy. Do you want to start small or do you want to produce a large quantity right from the start?
Set your budget: Just as you’d have a budget for your shopping trip, you need to decide how much you’re willing to spend on producing your cosmetics.
Once you’ve worked this out, it will be much easier to find the right manufacturer. It’s like having a shopping list – it makes your shopping trip much more efficient and ensures you don’t forget anything important.
Find out which manufacturers you are willing to work with
Just as you wouldn’t buy the first thing you saw in a shop, you shouldn’t just go with the first manufacturer you find. You need to do some research first.
Find potential manufacturers: Think of this as window shopping. You’re not buying anything yet, you’re just looking around to see what’s available. You can do this by searching online, looking at industry directories, going to trade shows, or joining trade associations. While you’re at it, a resourceful guide by CosmeticsSourcing on importing from China can offer valuable insights into finding reputable manufacturers. Make a list of manufacturers that catch your eye.
Checking the manufacturer’s situation: Now that you have a list of potential manufacturers, it’s time to do some digging. Visit their websites, read customer reviews and look for any other information that can help you understand what they’re all about. This is like reading product reviews before you buy something online. You want to make sure you’re getting the best deal and that the product (or in this case, the manufacturer) is reliable.
Ask for a price：Once you’ve done your research and have a shortlist of manufacturers you’re interested in, it’s time to contact them. This is like asking a shopkeeper how much something costs. Be specific about what you want (remember the list of needs you made earlier?) and ask them how much it would cost to produce your cosmetics. This will help you compare different manufacturers and find the best deal.
If you want to learn more about finding cosmetics manufacturers, check out this blog I posted:How to Find Cosmetics Manufacturers in China – Skincare Manufacturer – Blackbird Skincare
Check the strength of your manufacturer
Background checks on manufacturers：Just as you’d check the labels on a garment to make sure it’s made of good material, you need to check the credentials of your potential manufacturers. You want to make sure they’re legitimate and can deliver what they promise.
Here’s what to look for:
Business licence and ownership structure: This is like checking the brand on your clothes. You want to make sure the manufacturer is a real, registered company and who’s behind it.
Background information: This is like checking where the clothes were made and what materials were used. You want to know more about the history of the manufacturer and what they specialise in.
Production and R&D capacity: This is like checking if the garment is handmade or mass-produced. You want to know how much the manufacturer can produce and if they have the ability to develop new products.
Check references: This is like asking your friends if they’ve bought anything from the same brand and what their experience was. Ask the manufacturer for references and contact their other customers to see what they have to say.
Visit manufacturer’s premises：If possible, visit the manufacturer’s premises. This is like visiting the shop where the clothes are made. You want to see how they work, what their quality standards are and how the cosmetics are made.
Assess manufacturer capabilities：This is like checking if the clothes fit you, if they’re comfortable and if they’re well made. You want to make sure that the manufacturer can produce high quality cosmetics, has good quality control measures and can package the products well.
Checking private label service capabilities：This is like checking if the store can customise clothes for you. Some manufacturers will allow you to use your own brand name and logo on the cosmetics, which is a great way to build your brand without having to pay for the manufacturing process.
Price comparison between manufacturers：Just as you’d compare prices before buying anything, you should compare the prices of different manufacturers. Do your research and find a manufacturer that offers good value for money.
Checking manufacturer’s credentials：This is like checking to see if the clothing has any quality certifications. Certificates such as ISO22716, GMP, FDA, GMPC, Sedex and BSCI can give you confidence in the manufacturer’s reputation and the quality of their products.
Selecting a manufacturer or supplier ：Finally, you’ll need to decide whether you want to work with a manufacturer or a supplier. A manufacturer can often offer more benefits, such as lower costs and more control over the production process. Ask them about their packaging and shipping processes and their technical expertise. This will help you find out if they can deliver what they promise.
Remember, as with shopping, it’s important to take your time and make sure you’re making the right decision. Don’t rush into anything and don’t be afraid to ask questions. After all, you’re the customer and you deserve to get the best value for your money.
Check the quality of the manufacturer’s samples
Just like you’d try on clothes before buying them, you should ask for a sample order before deciding on a manufacturer. You want to see and feel the products to make sure they’re up to your standards.
Ordering samples is like going to the fitting room. You get to check the quality of the products, how much they cost, how they’re shipped, how long it takes for them to arrive, and how efficient the delivery process is. This is a great way to test the waters before diving in with a big, expensive order.
Also, this is a chance to see how the manufacturer operates in real life. You can check if there are any risks involved, like if they’re going to steal your ideas (IP risks) or if they’re going to run off with your money (payment risks). If anything seems off, you can just walk away, just like you’d leave a store if you didn’t like their service.
Signing of the contract with the manufacturer
Once you’ve found a manufacturer that ticks all the boxes, it’s time to make it official. This is like paying for your clothes at the checkout. You need to sign a contract that clearly states what you’re buying, when you’re getting it, how good it needs to be, and how much you’re paying for it.
What details can be reflected in the process of cooperation is a good manufacturer
Choosing a cosmetics manufacturer is a lot like picking the perfect DJ for a party. You want someone who listens to your needs, communicates clearly, delivers on time, provides high-quality products, offers excellent after-sales service, and is flexible enough to adapt to changes. These are the key details that can show you whether a manufacturer is good or not. Just like the right DJ can make your party a hit, the right manufacturer can help your cosmetics brand shine. So take your time, pay attention to these details, and make sure you’re picking a manufacturer who can really get your business grooving.
The manufacturer knows what you look for in cosmetics
When you talk to manufacturers, one of the first things they’ll probably mention is their MOQ, which stands for Minimum Order Quantity. This is like the minimum amount you have to spend in a shop to get a discount or a freebie.
The MOQ can vary depending on the manufacturer and the product. For example, if the product has a special formula, fancy packaging or rare ingredients, the MOQ may be higher.
Knowing your MOQ is like knowing your budget when you go shopping. You need to work out how much you can afford to spend and how much product you can realistically sell. If you order too much and can’t sell it all before it expires, you’ll end up wasting money and product.
So before you start talking to manufacturers, make sure you have a clear idea of what you’re looking for and what you can afford. This is like making a shopping list and checking your bank balance before you go shopping. It will help you stay focused and avoid overspending.
Check the manufacturer’s attitude and service
When choosing a manufacturer, you want to make sure they’re professional and helpful. This is like checking that the staff in a shop are friendly and knowledgeable. If they can’t answer your questions or give you the information you need, they might not be the right choice.
A good manufacturer is like a shop that’s open 24 hours a day. They’ll have a customer service team that’s always available, so you can contact them any time of the day or night if you have any concerns about your order or delivery.
Verifying the safety of cosmetic ingredients
Just as you would check the ingredients in a food product to make sure it’s safe to eat, you need to check the ingredients in your cosmetics to make sure they’re safe to use. Depending on where you want to sell your products, some ingredients may not be allowed.
For example, the United States and Europe have strict rules about what can and can’t be used in cosmetics. Some ingredients that are considered safe in the US may be banned in Europe. So make sure you check with your manufacturer that all the ingredients in their products are safe and legal to use in the country where you want to sell your products.
Cosmetic formulas are protected by our own
Working with a private label cosmetics manufacturer is like buying a cake mix from the store and putting it in your own packaging. But what if you want to bake your own cake from scratch? You need to find out if you can own your own formula or if you’re just buying the manufacturer’s formula.
Having your own recipe is like having your grandmother’s secret cake recipe. You can change it or take it with you if you ever change cake mix suppliers. But if you don’t own the formula, you may have to change your cake if the manufacturer ever goes out of business.
Manufacturers offer more packaging design options
Just as you’d check the packaging of a product in a shop, you need to check the packaging of your cosmetics. Do you like it? Can it be changed? Does it look high quality? How flexible is the manufacturer when it comes to branding?
A good manufacturer will allow you to fully customise the packaging with your own logo and brand colours. This is like buying a plain T-shirt and adding your own designs to it.
Cosmetic certification testing
Ask the manufacturer if their products are organic, cruelty-free, natural or eco-friendly. This is like checking the labels on a food product to make sure it meets your dietary requirements.
Just as you’d check if a food product is vegan or gluten-free, you need to check if your cosmetics have certain certifications. This is not only important for your branding, but also to ensure that the products are in line with your values.
Test the products yourself
Just as you’d try on clothes to make sure they fit and look good, you need to test your cosmetics to make sure they work as promised and are stable. It’s like making sure your clothes don’t shrink or lose colour in the wash.
Check shipping and logistics
Just as you’d check how a shop delivers its products, you need to check how the manufacturer ships the cosmetics. Do they deliver on time? Are they well packaged and protected in transit? This is like making sure the clothes you order online arrive in good condition and on time.
Check the customer service
Just as you’d check a shop’s return policy, you need to check how the manufacturer handles after-sales support. What happens if the product is faulty or damaged? Do they just make the products, or do they also help you market and sell them?
You should choose a manufacturer that will support you every step of the way, just as a good shop will help you find the right clothes, let you try them on and help you with returns or exchanges if you need them.
