How to Start a Skincare Brand Packaging Project

Most first packaging projects run into difficulty for one reason: the format is chosen before the filling plan, and the filling plan is decided before the budget. This sequence fixes that.

1. Write a brief with six numbers

1. Fill volume or fill weight per unit, and formula density or viscosity
2. Number of SKUs in the launch and the format each needs
3. Launch quantity per SKU and expected annual volume
4. Retail price band and target market
5. Packing and shipping destination (and whether cartons are needed)
6. Target in-market date

With those six items, a supplier can recommend formats and quote without a second round of questions.

2. Choose formats as a family

SKU	Typical format	Capacity
Serum	Dropper or airless bottle	30 ml
Moisturiser	Jar or airless jar	50 ml
Cleanser	HDPE bottle with flip-top	150–250 ml
Eye cream	Airless bottle or jar	15 ml
SPF	Barrier tube	50–100 ml

Share one neck finish and one closure family across the range where possible. It reduces MOQ pressure, keeps decoration set-up shared, and makes refills interchangeable.

3. Confirm the filler before the mould

Ask your filler what they can run: standard pump bottles and jars are universally supported, airless packs need bottom-up filling, and tubes need crimping equipment. Locking the format before this conversation is the single most expensive mistake in the process.

4. Sample in the production specification

• Stock samples to validate format and capacity
• Custom colour sample in production resin for colour approval
• Decorated sample for photography, stability testing and retail presentations
• Filled samples for compatibility soak tests (4–12 weeks at 40 °C)

Approve colour on the final surface finish, never from a photograph or a render.

5. Plan MOQ and budget

Item	What to expect
Stock-mould MOQ	1,000 pcs per design
Decorated MOQ	3,000 pcs per design and colour
Custom mould MOQ	~10,000 pcs per size
Decorated sample	USD 120–450 per design
Production lead time	15–30 working days after approval

Budget for the container, closure, decoration, label or carton, packing and freight — see the cost guide.

6. Timeline

Stage	Duration
Brief and format recommendations	1 week
Sampling and approval	2–3 weeks
Compatibility testing (parallel)	4–12 weeks
Production	3–5 weeks
Freight	5–10 days air, 18–35 days sea

Start 4–5 months before your target in-market date for a multi-SKU launch.

7. Reorder planning

After the first order, keep the drawing, colour standard and decoration sample on file, and note the lot numbers. Repeat orders on an approved specification are faster and more flexible on quantity, which matters for keeping stock in step with sales.