In our recent communications with customers, we found that many of them want to have unique at home beauty devices of their own brands. They expect the devices to be different from those facial toning devices the marketplace already had. True that well-designed and nice-looking home use beauty devices will be outstanding among so many of the competitors&#; products. It also helps strengthen the brand impression of their users.
Question is, they usually don&#;t know how to make ODM beauty devices for their own brands. Some think it is an easy task. They can simply find a factory and pay money, then the factory will deliver the expected device as they wished. Yet, they might be somehow disappointed and overwhelmed later by tons of work back and forth with the factory. Some are afraid that it must be too costly and complicated to accomplish. If they think so, they may miss an opportunity to grow their business and profit in this fast-increasing business sector.
That&#;s why we have to spend a lot of time introducing the whole process to every customer to help them start and finalize their ODM home use skincare device projects.
So, in this article, we will guide you through step by step on how to develop and make a beauty device for your own brand. There are things you must know and issues you need to avoid.
You will find that making your own facial toning device is not something that tricky and difficult if you do things right. Now, let&#;s dive into the details.
Framework for implementing an ODM beauty device project.
Step 1: Setting up your project
Step 2: Find a Reliable Manufacturer
Step 3: Manufacturer Assessment
Step 4: Negotiation with Your Manufacturer Partner
Step 5: Development Process of an ODM Beauty Device Project
Step 1. Setting up your project
To set up your project, there are a few things you need to get well prepared for. And we believe you must have done a lot of market research before you reach out to us asking for manufacturing cooperation. If you didn&#;t do much homework, don&#;t worry, try to follow the below tips to make a thorough preparation.
1. Find a target competitor
Sometimes you might be inspired by a skincare device in the market from another brand or company. You like it very much but find it is not the perfect type you want. You happen to get an idea to make a better version. This new idea and device may help people enhance their skincare experience at home. And grow their business and profit in the meantime. You need to purposely search for this kind of skincare device in the marketplace that can inspire you.
2. Define the functions of your beauty device
What kind of skincare purpose would you like your device to do? What technology would you prefer to use to fulfill the purpose? Anti-acne, anti-aging, whitening, tightening, reduce wrinkles, improve absorption, etc. There are some major technologies most beauty devices adopted. You can use a single technology in one device for a specific purpose. Or you can integrate several of them to make multiple functional devices.
Here are a few major technologies you can find from most of the facial toning devices in the market and the core skincare results they can bring to you.
1. Microcurrent or EMS: microcurrent devices can stimulate skin muscles and lift the skin. It helps you enjoy microcurrent facials at home easily.
2. Radiofrequency: Radio frequency skin tightening devices can tighten the skin, heat tissues, increase elasticity, and boost collagen. It enables you to have a radio frequency skin tightening at home.
3. Sonic vibration: Massage and relax the skin.
4. Heating therapy: Promote circulation, diastolic pores, accelerate the absorption of nutrition.
5. Cold therapy: Shrink pores, soothe the skin, lock up moisture.
6. Ion therapy: deep cleansing, to improve absorption.
7. Plasma: Kill bacteria, purify pores, anti-acne, lighten spots.
8. LED light therapy: the LED light therapy devices usually use red light, blue light, green light, and orange light to let you experience the light therapy at home. The benefits of LED light therapy include stimulating collagen reproduction, anti-acne, whitening, tightening, and rejuvenation.
There are many other skin rejuvenation technologies. We keep investing to research and verify the effectiveness of these technologies. We believe there are many skin care experts among our readers and visitors. We would love to cooperate with you and create truly efficient portable skincare devices together.
3. Product Positioning
According to the most popular marketing tactics, you shall find a good positioning strategy for your new beauty device.
Will it be a high-end or mid-end one?
Will it be for young people or users aged 30-40?
Will it be for specific niche target customers?
Will it be sold online or in a store?
Ask questions like these to find an appropriate positioning of your new device.
4. Budget
You will also need to set up a budget for your ODM beauty device project. Think over how much you will invest roughly and how much do you expect to get payback.
5. Timeline
Time is always important. In most cases, the market only leaves you a very small window to cut into. Think over when to initialize, how long you need to finalize, when to start selling, etc.
6. Market and Sales outlook, market analysis.
Make an objective evaluation of how many devices you are going to sell. This can be based on thorough market research before you start the project.
Step 2: Find A Reliable Manufacturer
When you finish the above preparations, it is time to find a reliable manufacturer partner to help you fulfill your idea and bring the product alive.
There are several resources where you can find a manufacturing partner.
Option 1: Contract manufacturing company
A local contract manufacturer can be an easy option. The local contract manufacturers usually offer one-stop turn-key solutions. With their support and service, you can easily get your project done. Communication is easier and more efficient. Cost is more expensive. Most of these contract manufacturing companies have their supply chain in Asia. They may do the designs, and give other jobs to their partners in Asia.
Option 2: China manufacturers
There is no doubt that there are hundreds of factories in China that can help you do your project. However, you will need to invest some time exploring and find a suitable partner. The simplest way is to Google &#;beauty device manufacturer&#; or &#;skincare device supplier&#;.
Once you get a list of potential manufacturers from Google search results, filter the list to find out the right ones for you. The following tips may help you do the screening more efficiently and dig out the right partners for your beauty device project.
Step 3: Manufacturer Assessment
1. Qualification
A qualified manufacturer partner should have a design, molding, plastic injection, and production capabilities. You may also choose multiple partners for different tasks: an ID design company, a molding company, a plastic injection company, and an assembly factory. However, we don&#;t really suggest you do so. It makes things more complicated. You will need to communicate with every factory and deal with too many trivialities during the product development.
2. Experience
Check out if the skincare device supplier has experience in making similar projects. An experienced partner will save lots of money and time for you. They understand exactly what you want and need. They know what to do step by step to guide you through the whole process.
3. Product match
The beauty device manufacturers usually have their own product lines. Although you are not going to buy their existing models, your preference on their current selection is also quite important for your decision. If you love their devices, at first sight, no matter it is because of their design, function, color, or even package, there are more possibilities you will choose that manufacturer as your potential partner.
4. Cooperation Intention
The manufacturer&#;s intent of cooperation is another key factor to consider. You can check this out by evaluating whether your communication is as smooth as you expected with the manufacturer. Sometimes the factory is only interested in selling their existing products to you. When a sales guy is actively responding to your questions and requests, the company he is working for is more likely to coordinate with you and support you.
Some people may tell you that you&#;d better choose a big factory or a reputable brand factory. They think these big factories are more reliable. Be alert of this. Big factories do seem reliable, to some extent. Nevertheless, the MOQ, cost, or other requirements for working with big factories are no doubt much higher. On the contrary, a medium-sized factory is more likely with a stronger intention to coordinate with your needs. Because they can be very flexible.
Step 4: Negotiation with Your Manufacturer Partner
Now that you&#;ve decided to choose one or two manufacturers to continue a more detailed negotiation, including product design, costs, manufacturing, and shipment, etc.
1. NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement)
Remember, before diving into any product ideas, drawings, or specifications with the manufacturer, we&#;d suggest you sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) with your new partner. This is vital to protect your original design, idea, or patent.
Here is a copy of the NDA template we are using. You can refer to our file to make yours.
2. Product idea, Design, Function
After signing an NDA, you are secured to share your product design ideas with your manufacturing partner. Now you can explore the manufacturer&#;s professionality, whether they are capable of doing your job right and precisely.
1. You have your own design solution ready to use.
You may already have a ready-to-use ID for your device. This means you&#;ve gone far enough. The only thing left is to find the right manufacturing partner to bring it alive. In this case, you can move forward to the next step.
2. You have just ideas or sketches.
In most cases, customers came to us with just ideas or some rough sketches. Don&#;t worry. Our ID designers will help you make a creative design based on your rough ideas or sketches.
3. Costs
Once you are settled with the rough design ideas, you can talk about numbers with your manufacturing partner.
The cost of making a new beauty device usually includes Design cost and Molding cost. Design cost varies. It depends on whether you have your own ID design solution or not. Molding cost is something you must invest in. Whatever your beauty device will look like, it will have housing. No matter if it is metal or plastic, you need a mold to make the housings.
As to the unit price of your beauty device, at this step, you will only receive a rough evaluation from your manufacturing partner, since most of the details are not confirmed.
4. Timing
Better to make clear your timeline before initializing the project. Both you and your manufacturing partner have to follow a practical timeline. The timeline guides the project to run efficiently. Everyone involved shall follow this timeline to carry out every step.
Here is a timeline of one of our previous projects.
Design 21 days, exterior and interior design, engineering and electronics design, including communication and a few rounds revisions.
Molding 62 days, including 3 revisions, T0 and T1 sampling
Pilot run production 15 days
Mass production 33 days
5. Terms
Terms include Payment term and Shipping term.
You need to clarify Payment terms and Shipping terms with your ODM beauty device manufacturing partner.
The payment term has two parts, R&D (including molding) and mass production. First, R&D cost, normally we request a 50% deposit and 50% balance when mold is ready. Second, mass production, 30% deposit, and 70% before shipment.
Shipping terms are the so-called FOB, CIF, EXW, DDU, DDP, etc. It depends on how you would like your order to be shipped.
6. Contract
Now everything is cleared. It&#;s time to sign a contract. You shall include all the details discussed and agreed upon in a formal contract. The project can be kicked off now.
7. Factory audit
It is always necessary to have a factory audit or inspection. There are a few ways to implement an inspection.
1. You can fly to China and meet with your manufacturer face to face, and make an inspection by yourself. However, in the current pandemic situation, traveling among different countries is not easy.
2. A video conference via Zoom or Skype can be an option so that you can visually check the facilities and capabilities of a partner.
3. Inspection by a third-party QC company is the best solution. They will do the inspection more professionally.
8. Payment
After all these efforts, you are about to bring your beauty device alive. Pay the deposit to your manufacturer partner to activate the project now.
Step 5: Development Process of a Beauty Device Project
The development of an ODM beauty device includes the following processes.
1. Design
Product design includes exterior design, interior design, and packaging design. Understanding this will help you better communicate with your beauty device supplier on your needs and requests.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website JWH.
Exterior design decides how your beauty device looks like.
The interior design fulfills its functions.
Packaging design attracts customers&#; attention to your beauty device. And demonstrate your brand image to your customers.
Sometimes you have to choose what to sacrifice or what to insist on in each part. Because there shall be a balance among design, function, cost, etc. Good ideas are not always able to be fulfilled at a reasonable cost. Or it is barely able to be carried out with current technologies.
2. Molding
3. Sampling
T0
T1
T2
T3
4. Pilot Production
5. Mass Production
6. Quality Control
7. Shipment
Conclusion
In this article, we shared with you how to develop a home-use beauty device from scratch for your own brand. We hope you find it helpful for you to grow your business and profit.
Let&#;s have a quick review of the whole process in the end.
To make a successful project of your own ODM skincare device, follow the below steps.
Step 1: Setting up your project
Step 2: Find a Reliable Manufacturer
Step 3: Manufacturer Assessment
Step 4: Negotiation with Your Manufacturer Partner
Step 5: Development Process of a Beauty Device Project
And you can refer to the forms and documents we shared in this article to better manage your ODM beauty device project.
Finally, we look forward to creating unique beauty devices together with you.
Write to us with your requirements now, please!
Thank you.
Are you planning to launch a cosmetics products line or expand an existing one? If so, you have probably come across the terms &#;OEM&#; and &#;ODM&#; a couple of times when searching for cosmetic manufacturers. These terms represent different types of manufacturers used to produce cosmetics products.
OEM stands for &#;original equipment manufacturing,&#; while ODM stands for &#;original design manufacturing.&#; Understanding the differences between these two manufacturers is crucial for informed decision-making.
An OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturer is a company that specializes in manufacturing and producing cosmetic products based on the specifications and designs provided by customers. Cosmetic brands collaborating with cosmetic OEM manufacturers must provide specific requirements, including formulations, packaging designs, and branding elements.
Although the manufacturer allows customizing existing products, brands can design a new product that will stand out in the market. This type of cosmetics OEM manufacturing allows them to create unique, high-quality products that match their target customers&#; needs.
ODM, or the Original Design Manufacturer, is a company that produces cosmetic products according to a buyer&#;s specifications by modifying existing products. ODM often offers private label services, where a cosmetics company selects a product(s) from a manufacturer&#;s existing line, makes a few changes, and sells it under its brand name.
Unlike in OEM, where you are required to provide product specifications, ODM manufacturers do everything for you. In this arrangement, the ODM company will plan, design, formulate, develop, and manufacture cosmetic products and develop the product packaging and design elements.
OEM and ODM are frequently used terms in the cosmetic industry, and their differences can be slightly blurred sometimes. In the OEM production line, the buyer provides the designs and formulations while the manufacturer offers expertise, infrastructure, and other resources to facilitate manufacturing.
However, some OEM companies lack the needed machinery to manufacture the products, prompting them to contract another manufacturer. This aspect of outsourcing manufacturing in OEM causes confusion as it aligns with how some people define ODM. However, ODM involves in-house designing and manufacturing of cosmetics products.
In this section, we explain the various ways in which the two cosmetics manufacturing processes differ from each other:
In an OEM partnership, the brand provides the manufacturer with the specifications, designs, and formulations. Brands aiming to work with an OEM manufacturer must have a finished product concept since this company&#;s primary role is to produce products based on the specifications presented. OEMs are not heavily involved in product design and limit their manufacturing focus to providing necessary facilities, equipment, and expertise.
ODM companies, on the other hand, are responsible for designing, formulating, and manufacturing cosmetic products. They offer more comprehensive services since they are actively involved in the entire manufacturing process.
ODM manufacturers work closely with beauty brands to generate ideas and develop the product concept, including formulation, packaging design, and branding. These companies allow brands to modify existing formulations or create new products.
From these perspectives, the choice between OEM and ODM manufacturers hugely depends on the desired level of manufacturer engagement. For example, big brands capable of formulating and designing their own products can opt to work with OEM manufacturers. In contrast, small and new beauty brands can opt for ODM partnerships since they offer more support and resources.
OEM and ODM manufacturing processes can take different times to develop the products. For instance, in OEM, the manufacturer produces the product based on customer requirements, meaning they may have to manufacture new products from scratch. The procedure may involve testing and experimenting until they acquire a perfect formula that meets the customer&#;s needs. As a result, product development in OEM may take longer.
On the contrary, ODM cosmetics involves modifying the existing products to match customer needs. A beauty brand may select a company&#;s existing products and modify the packaging and branding. Since the ODM manufacturer does not have to produce the products from scratch, the product development time will be lower than in OEM production.
The intellectual property rights for each production method are different. In ODM production, the manufacturer has more intellectual property rights. This is because the ODM is involved in the product design, formulation, and packaging processes, meaning they retain full ownership or co-ownership of the intellectual property. However, brands can negotiate licensing and transfer agreements regarding license, usage rights, and any royalties or fees associated with the intellectual property of the contracted products.
In OEM production, the customers retain most of the intellectual property rights. The OEM production method requires the customer to have a finished product concept, including product design and formulation, before engaging the manufacturer. As a result, the buyer typically owns most aspects of the product, including trademarks, logos, and specific branding elements.
However, the OEM manufacturer can claim ownership in certain cases, for example, where the company was involved in product formulation. Thus, manufacturers and brands should establish clear agreements to ensure that both parties intellectual property rights are respected and protected.
Typically, ODM has low minimum order (MOQ) quantity requirements than OEM.
In ODM, the manufacturer already has the products ready for modification, making it easy for them to provide flexible MOQ requirements. If the products are unavailable in stock, the manufacturer can use existing formulas and designs to manufacture the products.
However, manufacturers in OEM production have to create new formulas and products based on the customer&#;s requirements. As a result, they may provide a specific, high MOQ requirement that justifies the effort and production costs.
Depending on the agreements, OEM can be relatively more cost-effective than ODM.
Brands opting for OEM production can avoid certain costs associated with product development, such as formulation research, packaging design, and branding. This can help reduce upfront expenses. In addition, outsourcing cosmetics manufacturing to OEM help brands avoid costs such as raw materials, labor, production equipment, quality control, and packaging.
ODM partnerships can be more expensive since the manufacturer is extensively involved in product design, formulation, and packaging. Brands may need to cover the costs associated with these production aspects, including product concept creation, formulation research and development, packaging design, and branding.
However, the overall costs in either OEM or ODM arrangements can vary depending on the product complexity, level of customization, negotiated terms, and general agreement.
Working with OEM cosmetics manufacturers presents multiple benefits, including:
Working with OEM manufacturers presents a cost-effective solution for brands in the cosmetic industry. By leveraging the manufacturer&#;s existing infrastructure, production capabilities, and economies of scale, cosmetic companies can benefit from lower production costs than establishing their manufacturing facilities. This can be especially beneficial for smaller brands or startups with limited resources.
OEM manufacturers have specialized knowledge and expertise in cosmetic manufacturing, enabling them to produce high-quality products. These manufacturers possess the technical know-how, experience, resources, and understanding of industry regulations, standards, and trends.
Leveraging this expertise can help beauty companies manufacture and deliver high-quality products that meet regulatory requirements and consumer expectations.
In an OEM partnership, the brand has higher control over the production of its own products since it defines and specifies the desired product attributes. The brand sets the standards and guidelines for the OEM to follow during manufacturing by providing information on formulation, packaging, labeling, and other requirements. This helps ensure the final product matches the company&#;s vision and the target market&#;s preferences.
OEM manufacturers often invest in advanced manufacturing technologies, equipment, and research and development capabilities. As a result, brands partnering with an OEM gain access to these resources, which may otherwise be expensive to acquire and maintain independently. Therefore, such collaborations enable brands to innovate, develop new product formulations, and stay competitive in the global cosmetics market.
Outsourcing the production process to an OEM enables companies to allocate their time and resources to marketing and branding strategies, such as market analysis, brand development, and building customer relationships. This approach helps them establish and strengthen their presence and position in the market and differentiate themselves from other competitors, thus potentially expanding their market share.
However, despite these benefits, partnering with an OEM can have numerous disadvantages. These include:
Creating new products from scratch may result in a longer lead time since the process may involve creating new formulas, product designs, packaging, and branding. Sometimes, the manufacturer may require time to create molds and new tooling, which may take some time and delay the product launch.
Limited involvement of the manufacturing team during the product designing and development processes limits the brand&#;s access to valuable feedback and guidance. Without the manufacturer&#;s input, the brand may miss opportunities to optimize the product formula or design.
Given that the manufacturer is more knowledgeable about the production process and the industry, their involvement can increase access to valuable insights. These can help improve product functionality, cost-efficiency, or manufacturing feasibility. Thus, it is recommendable for beauty businesses to embrace more collaborative approaches that allow information sharing.
Working with ODM cosmetic manufacturers offers several advantages. These include:
Since ODM manufacturers have pre-existing product formulations and designs, brands can quickly launch their products by selecting pre-developed options. This is especially beneficial for brands that want to capitalize on emerging trends or products that experience seasonal demand. ODMs can speed up product development, allowing brands to launch their product line faster and stay competitive in the market.
ODM manufacturers often have lower MOQ requirements than OEM arrangements.
Since ODMs have established production lines and resources, they can provide flexible MOQ arrangements and efficiently handle smaller order quantities. Leveraging ODM manufacturing enables brands to produce cosmetics in smaller batches, reducing inventory costs and minimizing the risk of holding excess stock. Therefore, this production approach is more favorable for emerging brands, startups, or those testing new products in the global cosmetics market.
ODM companies deeply understand market trends, consumer preferences, and emerging innovations in the cosmetics industry. Due to their significant involvement in production processes, these companies actively monitor the market, conduct market research, and track the latest trends.
By partnering with a private label, cosmetics brands can tap into this knowledge and gain access to valuable market insights and trend forecasts. This enables brands to develop products that align with current market demands, stay relevant and competitive, and cater to evolving consumer preferences.
ODM manufacturers typically have advanced manufacturing facilities equipped with modern technologies and innovations. They invest in technology and infrastructure to optimize production efficiency and ensure consistent product quality.
Therefore, working with an ODM manufacturer enables brands to leverage these advanced capabilities without investing in their own manufacturing setup. This opportunity helps brands achieve higher production efficiency, maintain quality standards, and scale their operations effectively.
When partnering with an ODM, brands do not require extensive knowledge or expertise in product formulation, packaging, or manufacturing. The ODM takes care of these aspects, utilizing their knowledge and experience. As a result, brands can focus on their core competencies, such as branding, marketing, and distribution. They can also leverage this opportunity to enter the market with high-quality cosmetics without requiring extensive technical knowledge or investment in specialized resources.
However, ODM is characterized by various downsides, which makes it not a viable choice for every company. Here are some disadvantages of this production approach:
ODM companies often create products sold to multiple brands with minimal modifications. Since the product formulation, design, and packaging is similar regardless of the branding, the products launched in the market lack originality.
ODM typically offers a range of pre-developed options for brands to choose from. This limits their control over the customization of their products since they must work within the provided framework. As a result, ODM partnerships may not be a viable option for brands looking to create unique products.
OEM and ODM cosmetics manufacturing processes offer unique opportunities for brands aiming to launch new products or expand their existing product lines. While these processes may have overlapping advantages, the decision to use one over the other should be based on the brand&#;s needs. For instance, a brand seeking full customization and higher control can opt for OEM, while another that prioritizes shorter lead times can opt for ODM.
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