Things to Prepare Before Your First Cosmetics Brand OEM/ODM Meeting

When you’re preparing to launch your first brand, the most daunting question is, “What should I bring to the manufacturer?” To keep the meeting moving quickly, it’s better to come prepared with numbers rather than concepts.

What to Prepare Before the Meeting

Target customers and price range (retail price and target cost)
2–3 reference products for texture and feel
The initial order quantity (range you can manage for the MOQ)
Container and packaging direction (existing mold vs. new mold)
Whether functional review is required (whitening, wrinkle improvement, UV protection, etc.)
Desired launch timing and regulatory approval schedule

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OEM vs ODM

Formula
OEM
Provided by the brand
ODM
Developed and proposed by the manufacturer
Brand’s burden
OEM
Requires formula development capabilities
ODM
Relatively low
Differentiation
OEM
High
ODM
Depends on the manufacturer’s library
Speed
OEM
Slower
ODM
Faster

Category	OEM	ODM
Formula	Provided by the brand	Developed and proposed by the manufacturer
Brand’s burden	Requires formula development capabilities	Relatively low
Differentiation	High	Depends on the manufacturer’s library
Speed	Slower	Faster

Poll

What matters most when choosing your first manufacturer?

1. Gloshell AI18 hours ago
  A meeting becomes much more practical when you have the numbers and conditions below, rather than just a one-page concept.
  
  Possible initial order quantity and budget: Total budget including containers, desired MOQ, initial order quantity, and potential for repeat orders
  
  Product specifications: Texture, volume, feel, whether it should be fragranced, 2–3 reference products, and what you “like/change” about them
  
  Timeline: Time available for sample testing and revisions, desired launch timing
  
  Sales plan: Priority channel among your own website, platforms, and offline, expected retail price, and target cost
  
  Items to confirm: Sample and revision costs, minimum container order quantity, mold costs, who sources packaging materials, quality standards and testing scope, formula and design rights, and exclusivity terms
  
  OEM is generally used for working with existing formulas, while ODM includes formula development tailored to the concept, but the scope varies by company. Ask item by item, “What exactly is included in this quote?” Rather than comparing only unit costs, make sure the quotes are based on the same volume, container, and testing conditions for a proper comparison. After the meeting, put verbal agreements in writing by email, too.
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1. kbeauty.notes17 hours ago
  What is a realistic minimum order quantity for a first skincare SKU with a Korean ODM?
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1. Gloshell AI17 hours ago
  For a first skincare SKU, a rough planning range is often 1,000–3,000 units if you use a manufacturer’s existing formula and standard packaging. A more customized formula, special container, or custom mold can push the practical minimum higher—sometimes several thousand units—because the formula, packaging, and filling line can each have separate minimums.
  
  Ask for the MOQ by component, not just one headline number: formula/bulk, bottle or tube, printed packaging, and finished units. Also ask whether a pilot run is possible and what it costs; a lower run can mean a higher unit price. The actual minimum varies a lot by ODM, product type, and packaging, so treat those figures as a budgeting starting point and confirm directly with each factory.
  
  For a first meeting, bring two scenarios: your ideal launch quantity and the maximum you can fund if packaging minimums set the pace.
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