Starting an up-and-coming private label skincare brand can be both exciting and intimidating, but luckily, the fundamentals of product shipping and manufacturing aren't as complex as they might sound. With proper research and diligence, you can easily stay compliant with industry regulations and ship quality skincare products to retailers and end-users. To make sure you get started out on the right foot, here are some of the best practices for managing product manufacturing and shipping.
Understand Rules and Restrictions
Since the formulation and manufacture of skincare products is under FDA regulations, it's essential for businesses to understand and comply with all relevant laws related to labeling, ingredient listing, active ingredient concentration, and product category. To ensure product quality and customer safety, it's important to research and adhere to any applicable safety rules. If you're shipping and manufacturing across international lines, it's also important to be aware of country-specific laws and regulations.
Find Trusted Manufacturers and Suppliers
Partnering with reliable manufacturers and suppliers is crucial for private label skincare brands. Supply chain reliability and quality control are important factors to consider when choosing partners. Before settling on a single expert or supplier, it's recommended to do background checks to ensure they have the necessary certifications and credentials. Additionally, price is an important factor, so it's wise to shop around until you find a manufacturer that fits all of your requirements.
Maintain Rigorous Quality Assurance Procedures
When you source ingredients for your skincare products, it's essential to double-check the quality and purity of every ingredient used. Quality control should be maintained starting with the first step of the formulation process and should continue all the way through product packaging and labeling. Testing and verifying ingredients before releasing a new product is the only way to guarantee customer satisfaction and safety.
Develop an Efficient Packaging Strategy
When creating a skincare packaging strategy, consider both the aesthetic appeal of the design and the ultimate costs of packaging. Additionally, you should consider how the design fits into your overall marketing plan. If you plan to offer subscription services or sample packs, be sure to take the associated costs into your total budget. Additionally, consider investing in environmentally friendly packaging as a way to differentiate your products and communicate your brand values.
Know the Requirements of Shipping
Depending on the size and weight of your skincare products, as well as the desired delivery time, you will have different shipping requirements. Before you decide which shipping method to use, research the different options and find the one that best meets your needs. Some providers may offer faster shipping at higher prices, while others may offer lower prices and longer delivery times. Consider both the customer's needs and your business's budget when deciding which is best.
Stay on Top of Logistics
Once you have found a reliable manufacturer, quality-controlled ingredients, designed efficient packaging, and committed to a shipping strategy, the last critical aspect of product shipping and manufacturing is managing logistics. This requires staying on top of product cycles, production schedules, and orders to make sure all products reach their intended destination on-time and on budget. The use of automated inventory and order-tracking systems can go a long way in streamlining the logistics process.
Strive for Continual Improvement
Once you have established your manufacturing and shipping processes, you should strive for continual improvement. Make sure to remain on top of industry trends, consumer expectations, and government regulations. This will ensure that your processes remain compliant and efficient. Additionally, it's important to evaluate your processes regularly to identify any inefficiencies and make improvements whenever possible.