Samples are a first try of the product you will produce on a large scale in the future. Before starting production, you and the manufacturer need to ensure that the product attends to all the retailer’s necessities.
How do samples work
It’s normal to have an idea and run after the manufacturers asking for samples, but samples are one of the last steps of the process. Typically, this is how the process happens:
First, you send your request and define, in detail, what the product will look like. Then, once the manufacturer understands what you want and if it’s possible to produce it, they will offer samples. Samples can be free or paid – and it is up to you to test them to see if they are what you pictured or if any changes need to be made.
It’s important to be transparent when giving feedback and respond to the manufacturer as soon as possible. Don’t be afraid to make changes or ask for something different, manufacturers will tell you if your idea is doable. They often react, adapt to your request, and send another version.
Private label samples
A private label corresponds to a manufacturer who creates customized products for third parties to sell under their brand. In other words, the manufacturer gives you the freedom to choose the formula, customization, or design of the product they manufacture for your brand. This personalized product will be sold exclusively by the retailer/re-seller who ordered the product. You get ease in production while being able to do small customizations in your packaging and formula.
Private-label products can be the best of both worlds. You get the ease of producing a “generic” product, with the option to make customizations and make your product unique. In other words, the machinery for the production is already set, making it easier and faster to produce and lower minimum order quantities while allowing you to personalize some aspects of the product.
Private label samples can sometimes cost money on the retailer’s side. As the process includes customizations, the manufacturing of a unit can be costly to the manufacturer. Therefore, the retailer must cover the production and shipment costs of the sample.
White label samples
White labeling is the process of creating generic and standardized products that will be sold to multiple re-sellers or retailers. This generic product can be branded and sold according to your brand. However, the freedom in customization is very limited and is a matter of slight changes such as logos, colors, packaging, or marketing material.
A white-label product is typically mass-produced by a manufacturer and sold to retailers and other distributors for them to rebrand and sell to the final customers. This process does not allow any customization in the production process, and the differentiation is completely in the hands of the marketing team of the final brand.
White label samples are easier than private label or contract manufacturer samples, as there are no customizations in the machinery. The samples are usually ready and can be sent to the retailer in no time. In contrast, a sample from a private label manufacturer must first be produced according to the retailer’s customizations and then sent for testing. A private label sample only needs to be sent once to the retailer, as there are no customizations, and its only purpose is to show the retailer the final product. A manufacturer can simply take one of the products from the production line and send it as a sample.
Create your private label product line with Wonnda – the European platform for white label, private label, and contract manufacturing
Are you interested in producing your private label products in Europe but don’t know how to get your production up and running? Whether you’re an aspiring startup entrepreneur with an innovative product idea or an existing retailer looking to diversify your assortment with your products, launching your brand through a private label or contract manufacturing could be just the step you need to take your business to the next level.
Here at wonnda, we work with top European producers for private labeling and contract manufacturing. The first step in getting your product to market is probably the most crucial – finding the right production partner for your project. The great advantage of wonnda.com is that you can let us do the heavy lifting. Just tell us quickly about your project or product idea. We will then approach the most suitable producers for your project and connect you with them. Sounds interesting? Then fill out the form!
