A private label hair care project runs eight to sixteen weeks from brief to pallet. Development takes 45 to 60 days, but packaging supply, artwork approval and market registration run in parallel and are what usually decide the finish date. Projects lose most time waiting on artwork files and on registration started too late.
- Weeks 1-2 are the brief; ambiguity here costs weeks later.
- Development and sample approval take roughly 45 to 60 days.
- Packaging, artwork and registration must run in parallel, not after.
- Production plus ocean freight adds four to eight weeks.
- Artwork approval and late registration are the two biggest delays.
Most delays in a private label project are not manufacturing delays. They are decision delays: an unclear brief, a slow sample approval, artwork that starts after the formula is finished instead of alongside it. Here is the real sequence, and where the time goes.
The timeline at a glance
| Stage | Duration | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Brief and technical alignment | 1–2 weeks | Brand + factory |
| Sample kit (USD 129) | shipped for evaluation | Factory |
| Formula development and adjustment | 45–60 days total | Factory |
| Stability and challenge testing | parallel with development | Factory + third-party lab |
| Packaging selection and artwork | parallel, 2–4 weeks | Brand + factory design |
| Regulatory file and notification | parallel, 2–6 weeks | Brand's RP or importer |
| Production of the approved batch | quoted per order | Factory |
| Export documentation and shipping | per Incoterm and route | Factory + forwarder |
Weeks 1–2: the brief
A good brief answers: which markets, which hair types, which product formats, professional or home care, the excluded ingredients, the target retail price, and the volume you expect in year one. The markets matter most, because the strictest destination sets the formulation and documentation specification for everything else.
At this stage we also confirm the commercial frame: minimum 300 litres per SKU, 50/50 payment terms, NDA signed and formula exclusivity granted to your brand.
Samples
Our sample kit costs USD 129 (list USD 199) and includes 10 formulas with international shipping; the amount is fully credited against your first production order. It exists so you can evaluate texture, fragrance, performance and result on real hair before committing to a batch. Expect one to three rounds of adjustment; each round is a real formulation cycle, not a colour swap, which is why the sample stage is where the calendar is either respected or lost.
45 to 60 days: development
From an approved brief, custom formula development takes 45 to 60 days. That window includes bench formulation, adjustment cycles, in-house stability and third-party challenge testing. Catalogue white label products with your branding are faster, because the formula already exists and only packaging and artwork need completing.
Running in parallel: packaging and artwork
- Choose pack format and size early — it changes unit economics more than the formula does.
- Confirm packaging compatibility with the formula, especially for acid smoothing systems and high-oil products.
- We produce compliant label design and artwork in house, in the languages your markets require.
- Artwork setup is charged per SKU regardless of volume, so lock the range before starting.
Running in parallel: regulatory
Your Responsible Person, importer or local representative should be appointed during development, not after. We supply the PIF and technical dossier content, CPSR input, MSDS, stability report, challenge test, certificate of analysis, free sale and origin certificates, and halal documentation where required.
Production and shipping
Once the formula, packaging and artwork are approved, the batch is produced, quality-controlled and released with its certificate of analysis. Shipping runs from the Port of Santos on any Incoterm — EXW, FOB, CIF or DDP. Sea freight is the norm for volume; air is worth it for samples and launch stock only.
Where projects lose time
- Waiting for sample feedback. Set an internal deadline for evaluation before samples ship.
- Adding SKUs mid-project. Each one restarts artwork and testing for that item.
- Choosing packaging late, then discovering a compatibility issue after the formula was approved.
- Appointing the regulatory representative after production, which idles finished stock in a warehouse.
- Changing destination markets late, which can invalidate a formula that was compliant for the original target.
How long does a private label project take?
Custom formula development runs 45 to 60 days from an approved brief, with testing, artwork and regulatory work in parallel. Production and shipping follow, quoted per order and Incoterm.
How much do samples cost?
The sample kit is USD 129, fully credited against your first production order.
Quel est le minimum de commande?
300 litres per SKU, for both full service finished goods and bulk supply.
Is the formula exclusive to our brand?
Yes. We sign an NDA and grant formula exclusivity for custom developments.
Développez votre gamme avec un fabricant brésilien.
Full Service ou approvisionnement Bulk, à partir de 300 litres par SKU, avec documentation d'exportation pour les marchés de l'UE, des États-Unis et du Golfe.
Demander un devis