Buying off the catalogue means selling the same thing as everyone else. Here are the two ways out, and what each one really involves.
The more you customise, the more you stand out. And the more you commit in volume, lead time and budget.
| What changes | Catalogue product | Private label most common | Custom development |
|---|---|---|---|
| Differentiation | None: the same product as your competitors | Your brand on the product and the packaging | A product only you sell |
| MOQ | The lowest | Moderate, often negotiable | High, rarely negotiable |
| Lead time | The shortest | In between: branding adds a step | The longest: design, moulds, trials |
| Tooling | None | None | Moulds to fund, and to settle in writing |
| Best for | Testing a market without tying up cash | Building a brand without taking on custom risk | A need no existing product covers |
A mould is paid once, but it ties you to the factory that holds it. For a first product, private label often lets you test the market without locking up your cash. We will say so if that is your situation.
Settle this in writing before paying, not after. It decides whether you can change factory later.
Changing a detail after sample approval costs far more than raising it at brief stage. We ask those questions early.
Packaging designed for the shelf is not packaging designed for a container. Both get decided at the same time.
A mould, a specification, who owns what: settle it in writing, before you pay.
Beyond pre-shipment control, in-line inspection catches a batch defect before it reaches the whole order. We work with independent bodies such as Bureau Veritas, Intertek or SGS when the job warrants it.
Sea, air or express depending on volume and urgency, with export documents prepared and tracking through to your warehouse or provider.
Describe your product and your volumes. We will tell you which route actually holds up in your case, even if it is not the most ambitious one.