How Can You Create a Private Label Shampoo to Sell?

Want to launch your own shampoo brand but feeling lost? The process of creating a product from scratch seems complicated. I will show you a simple path to launch.

To create a private label shampoo¹, you should partner with a manufacturer and test their existing formulas. You can then request modifications to the scent, ingredients, and packaging to make it your own. This approach is faster and more affordable than developing a formula from scratch.

This process might sound straightforward, but there are important choices to make. I've been in the beauty manufacturing industry for over 30 years, and I've helped countless brands get their start. I know what works and what doesn't. Let's walk through the steps together. I want to help you avoid common mistakes and build a shampoo brand you can be proud of.

How Can You Start a Shampoo Brand with a Small Budget?

Are you worried about the high costs of starting your new shampoo brand? Custom formulas and large orders can eat up your budget fast. I'll show you a smart way to start.

The most budget-friendly way is to use a manufacturer's "stock" formulas². You can buy these ready-made products in smaller quantities, add your label, and test the market. If sales are good, you can then invest in a fully custom product.

Dive Deeper

Starting a brand is exciting, but you need to be smart with your money. The biggest hurdle for most new entrepreneurs is the high upfront cost. This is where starting with stock products, sometimes called "white label³," is a great strategy.

What Are Stock Formulas?

As a manufacturer, we have developed and tested hundreds of formulas over the years. Our stock formulas⁴ are our proven, ready-to-go products. We have shampoos for different hair types, like moisturizing, volumizing, or anti-dandruff. These products are already stable, effective, and compliant with safety standards. You can simply choose one, design your own label, and start selling. This path is much faster and requires a smaller initial investment.

The Benefits of Starting Small

I always advise new clients to consider this route. It lowers your risk significantly. Instead of ordering 10,000 units of an unproven custom product, you can start with a much smaller quantity of a stock formula. This allows you to test your brand concept and see what customers actually want without tying up all your capital in inventory.

A Real-World Example

I remember a client from Cambodia who wanted to start a shampoo brand. He didn't have a huge budget, so he chose one of our best-selling stock moisturizing shampoos. He created his own brand and packaging, and the product was a huge hit in his market. It sold so well that it proved he had a winning idea. After a year, competitors started copying him. That's when he came back to us. With the profits and market knowledge he had gained, he was ready to invest in a fully custom formula⁵. We worked together to create a unique product just for his brand. This new, exclusive shampoo helped him stand out from the competition and made his business even stronger.

How Do You Customize a Private Label Shampoo Formula?

Your stock shampoo is selling well, but now you want a unique product. Creating a custom formula⁵ sounds like you need to be a chemist. I will show you how to work with us to create your own signature shampoo.

You do not need to be a scientist. You can start with a manufacturer's base formula and ask for changes. You can customize the scent, texture, color, and key ingredients. This teamwork is much easier than creating a formula from zero.

Dive Deeper

Once you've proven your market or if you simply want a unique product from day one, customization⁶ is the next step. This is where you can truly make the product your own. The process is more of a partnership between you and our R&D team.

Modifying an Existing Formula

The easiest way to create a custom product is to start with a base formula that we know works. You can try a sample and give us your feedback. Maybe you want the shampoo to feel thicker, or you want a different fragrance, or you want to add a special ingredient like argan oil. You tell us what you want to achieve. For example, you might say, "I like this sample, but can we make it more moisturizing and give it a coconut scent?" Our formulation engineers will then adjust the formula and send you new samples to try. We repeat this process until the product is exactly what you envisioned.

Why Providing Your Own Formula is Tricky

We often have clients who come to us with a precise formula they found online or from another product. They ask us to copy it exactly. In reality, this is almost impossible. The reason is that raw materials are not simple. An ingredient listed as "Vitamin E" or "Coconut Extract" is often a complex blend of different components from a specific supplier. Our raw materials, even with the same name, will be different. A better approach is to describe the result you want. Tell us about the texture, the feeling on the hair, and the key benefits. Our experts can then use our high-quality ingredients to achieve that effect for you. This gives you a better and more consistent final product.

Key Areas for Customization

You have control over many aspects of your shampoo. Here are the main things you can customize:

What is a Realistic Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)⁷ for Custom Shampoo?

You are ready to order your custom shampoo, but the required quantity seems very large. A high Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)⁷ can tie up a lot of your cash. I'll explain why MOQs exist and what you should expect.

For a fully custom private label shampoo¹, a typical MOQ is between 5,000 and 10,000 units. This amount allows the factory to run its machines efficiently, buy raw materials, and give you a good price per bottle.

Dive Deeper

The Minimum Order Quantity, or MOQ, is often a point of confusion for new brand owners. It can seem like a very large number, but there are practical reasons for it. Understanding why MOQs exist can help you plan your business better.

Why Do Factories Have MOQs?

An MOQ is not an arbitrary number we pick to make things difficult. It is based on the economics of production. First, setting up the production line for a specific product takes time and labor. We have to thoroughly clean the large mixing tanks and filling machines to avoid any contamination from the previous batch. Then, we have to calibrate the equipment for your specific formula and bottle size. This setup process has a fixed cost, whether we produce 100 bottles or 10,000. Second, we have to purchase raw materials. Our suppliers also have their own MOQs. We can't buy just one kilogram of a special botanical extract; we have to buy it in large drums.

The Cost Breakdown

The MOQ ensures that the production run is efficient and cost-effective for both you and the factory. If we were to produce a very small batch, say 500 bottles, the cost of the setup and raw materials would be spread across very few units. This would make the price per bottle extremely high. By producing 5,000 or 10,000 units, we can spread those fixed costs out, which brings your per-unit cost down significantly. This allows you to have a healthy profit margin when you sell the product.

Planning for Your First Big Order

Committing to an order of 5,000 or 10,000 units is a big step. Before you do, you should have a solid plan. This is why I recommend testing the market with a stock product first. Once you have proof that customers want your product, you can order a large custom batch with confidence. Make sure you have your sales channels⁸ ready. Will you sell online, in local stores, or through distributors? Having a clear sales and marketing strategy is crucial before you place that first big order. We are here to help you scale, from trial batches to full production, but good planning on your side is the key to success.

How Important is Packaging for a Private Label Shampoo?

You have a great formula, but how do you make the product look professional? Bad packaging can make a great product look cheap and untrustworthy. I will guide you through designing packaging that sells.

Packaging is extremely important. It is the first thing your customer sees. A good manufacturer will help you choose the right bottle, cap, and label design⁹. Your packaging must communicate your brand story¹⁰ and look great on a shelf.

Dive Deeper

You can have the best shampoo in the world, but if the packaging is poor, no one will buy it. Your packaging is your silent salesperson. It has to grab attention, communicate value, and make the customer feel confident in their purchase. We help our clients with this entire process.

The Role of Primary Packaging

The primary packaging¹¹ is the bottle and cap itself. This is what holds the product. You need to think about the material, like PET plastic, which is common for shampoos. You also need to consider the shape and size. A unique bottle shape can help you stand out, but it can also be more expensive. The dispenser is also very important for the user experience. A thin, watery shampoo might work well with a simple disc cap, but a thick, creamy conditioner will likely need a pump for easy use. We offer a wide variety of in-stock bottle and cap options to help you find the perfect match for your product and budget.

Designing Your Label and Box

The label, and any outer box, is where your brand comes to life. The colors, fonts, and imagery you choose should all reflect your brand's identity. Is your brand natural and organic, or is it modern and scientific? The design should communicate this instantly. Your label must also contain important information, such as the product name, volume, ingredients list, usage instructions, and your company details. Regulations are also critical. We have experience exporting to over 50 countries, so we can help you ensure your labels are compliant for markets in Europe, America, and Southeast Asia.

Making Smart Choices

Creating a completely custom bottle mold is very expensive and usually reserved for huge brands. A smarter choice for a new brand is to use a standard, in-stock bottle shape and focus your budget on creating a stunning label design⁹. A high-quality, beautifully designed label on a standard bottle can look far more premium than a cheap-looking label on a custom bottle. This strategy gives you a professional-looking product without the high cost and long lead times of custom molding. We can guide you through our extensive catalog of packaging options to find a combination that looks unique and fits your brand vision.

Conclusion

Creating your own shampoo line is an exciting journey. Start smart by testing the market, then customize as you grow. A good manufacturing partner is your most important asset for success.