Short answer: Send a one-page brief covering nine things: product and format, route (stock, modified stock, custom or existing formula), claims, target ingredients, quantity per SKU and SKUs, packaging, testing and certifications, sales channels, and timeline and budget. At PMG, first runs typically cost $5,000 to $25,000 on stock formulas and $25,000+ for custom. [1]
Definition: A product brief (sometimes sent as an RFQ, or request for quote) is a short document that tells a contract manufacturer what you want made, how much of it, what it must claim and pass, and where it will be sold, so the manufacturer can quote a real per-unit price instead of a guess.
Key numbers: what drives a manufacturing quote
- 1,000 units per SKU: where private label on PMG's stock formulas starts. [1]
- 5,000 units per SKU: where fully custom formulations typically start at PMG (custom supplements: typically 2,500 to 5,000, depending on format). [1]
- 5,000 units: PMG's minimum for SPF products, which take about 90 to 150 days from approval to delivery. [2]
- 60 to 90 days vs 4 to 6 months: typical time from contract to first run for private label vs custom formulas at PMG. [1]
- 30 days: the deadline to notify FDA after you first market a supplement with a structure/function claim. [3]
- $30: the initial fee to license a single GS1 US GTIN for one product barcode. [4]
Why do two manufacturers quote the same product so differently?
Usually because they were quoting different products in their heads. When a brief says only "a vitamin C serum, 2,000 units," one manufacturer prices a stock formula in a stock bottle, and another prices custom development, stability testing and a custom pump. Both quotes are "right," and neither is useful.
The main cost drivers are formulation work, raw material and active ingredient selection, batch size, packaging components, and the testing and certification your category and markets require. [1] A good brief pins down each one, so every quote you get is for the same thing.
What goes into a product brief? The 9-Line Brief
Use this as your template. Each line is one or two sentences; a full brief fits on one page.
| # | Brief line | What to write | Why it changes the quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Product and format | "Unflavored collagen powder in stick packs" or "daily face moisturizer, 50 ml" | Capsules, gummies, powders, liquids and creams run on different equipment, often at different facilities. [1] |
| 2 | Route | Stock / private label, modified stock, custom formulation, or an existing formula you already sell | Private label avoids most development cost because the formula and stability data already exist; custom adds R&D and stability testing. [1] |
| 3 | Claims | The exact words you want on the label and in ads, e.g. "hydrates" vs "treats acne" | Claims decide whether a skincare product is regulated as a cosmetic, a drug, or both. [5] |
| 4 | Ingredients or benchmark | Must-have actives and amounts, ingredients to avoid, or a product you want to match | Raw material and active ingredient selection is one of the main cost drivers. [1] |
| 5 | Quantity and SKUs | Units per SKU for the first run, number of SKUs, and a realistic reorder estimate | Volume has a large effect on per-unit cost, especially for custom work. [1] |
| 6 | Packaging | Container, closure, label or box, and whether stock components are acceptable | Packaging components are a core cost driver and can set the lead time. [1] |
| 7 | Testing and certifications | Third-party testing you need, plus certifications such as Organic, Vegan, Kosher or Halal | Certifications vary by product and facility, so they're confirmed before production. [1] |
| 8 | Channels and markets | DTC, Amazon, retail, professional, distributor, export (e.g. Mexico or Brazil) | Retail adds its own requirements, and export rules (e.g. Mexico's COFEPRIS or Brazil's ANVISA) are far cheaper to design in at formulation than to retrofit later. [1] |
| 9 | Timeline and budget | Target launch month and an honest first-run budget range | A budget lets the manufacturer suggest the right route (for example modified stock instead of full custom) up front. |
The 9-Line Brief
- 1Product and format
- 2Route
- 3Claims
- 4Ingredients or benchmark
- 5Quantity and SKUs
- 6Packaging
- 7Testing and certifications
- 8Channels and markets
- 9Timeline and budget
Why should you decide your claims before you ask for a quote?
Because claims change the category, and the category changes the work. FDA says whether a product is a cosmetic or a drug "is determined by a product's intended use," and that intended use can be shown by claims on the label, in advertising and online. [5] A moisturizer marketed with sun-protection claims is both a cosmetic and a drug, and must meet the requirements for both. [5] For OTC products, that means Drug Facts labeling, monograph alignment, and added stability and testing obligations. [1]
Supplements work the same way. If your label carries a structure/function statement (for example, "supports restful sleep"), FDA requires the disclaimer "This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease," and a notice to FDA no later than 30 days after you first market the product. [3]
What extra details does a supplement, skincare or OTC quote need?
| Product type | Add to your brief | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dietary supplement | Amount of each active per serving, servings per container, flavor, and any testing you want beyond the manufacturer's standard | Supplement makers must set specifications for each component and for the identity, purity, strength and composition of every finished batch, plus label and packaging specifications. [6] |
| Cosmetic skincare | Texture, fragrance (or fragrance-free), target skin type, and the claims list | Claims decide whether it stays a cosmetic. [5] |
| OTC (e.g. SPF, acne) | Active ingredient and strength, SPF target, water resistance claims | OTC products need Drug Facts labeling and monograph alignment; at PMG, SPF starts at 5,000 units. [1] [2] |
Have a product in mind? Ask us directly.
Ready to price your product? Start a Project →
What should you send if you're moving from another manufacturer?
If you already sell the product, your brief can be much more precise, and your quote much more accurate. Send:
- Your current finished-product specifications, including but not limited to the formula, preferred vendors (for example, your flavor house) and SOPs, plus a recent certificate of analysis (COA).
- The current label and packaging component list.
- Your last 12 months of volume per SKU and your reorder pattern.
- The reason you're moving (pricing, capacity, quality, lead time or minimums), so the new manufacturer can solve the real problem.
If your current manufacturer owns the formula rather than you, check your paperwork before you share it. PMG's project form has an "Existing Formula / Tech Transfer" option for this route. [7]
Should you share your budget with a manufacturer?
Yes, as a range. A budget is not a negotiating weakness; it tells the manufacturer which route can work. If your budget fits a stock formula but not full custom, a good partner will say so and suggest a middle path. At PMG, if a 5,000-unit custom minimum is above the launch budget, a modified stock formula is often that middle path: real differentiation without a full custom minimum. [1] The smallest project PMG takes is about $5,000. [1]
Product Brief Checklist (printable)
Download the fillable checklist (PDF)
- Product, format and size are named (e.g. "60 capsules," "50 ml pump").
- Route is chosen: stock, modified stock, custom or existing formula.
- Every label and marketing claim is written out word for word.
- Must-have actives (with amounts) and ingredients to avoid are listed.
- First-run units per SKU, number of SKUs and a reorder estimate are stated.
- Packaging is described, and you've said whether stock components are OK.
- Required testing and certifications are listed.
- Sales channels and export markets for the next 12 months are listed.
- Target launch month and a first-run budget range are included.
- You know how you'll get barcodes (a GS1 Company Prefix or single GS1 US GTINs). [4]
- If switching: current specifications (formula, preferred vendors, SOPs), a recent COA, label, component list and 12 months of volume are attached.
How PMG uses your brief
PMG's Start a Project form asks for the same core details: your stage, product type, route, services, quantity per SKU, number of SKUs, sales channels, target launch and budget range. Someone from the team responds within one business day with an honest first read on fit. [7] Not sure which route fits? See private label vs custom formulation, check minimums by format on our products page, or read how to price a private label product once your quote comes back.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a product brief be?
One page is enough for most first quotes. Nine short lines (product, route, claims, ingredients, quantity, packaging, testing, channels, timeline and budget) cover what a manufacturer needs.
Do I need a finished formula before I ask for a quote?
No. For private label, you pick from the manufacturer's stock formulas. For custom work, a target profile or a benchmark product is enough to start; formulation is part of the project. [1]
Why does the quote change after the first call?
Usually because a detail moved: a new claim, a different container, a certification or a smaller run. Locking the nine lines before you request quotes keeps the number stable.
How fast can I get to market after the quote?
At PMG, a private label launch typically moves from contract to first production run in about 60 to 90 days; custom formulations typically take 4 to 6 months. [1]
What minimum order should I put in my brief?
Put the quantity you can realistically sell through. At PMG, private label starts at 1,000 units per SKU and custom typically at 5,000 (supplements: 2,500 to 5,000, by format). [1] See MOQ and manufacturing volume.
Glossary
- Product brief / RFQ: the document you send a manufacturer to request a quote.
- SKU: one sellable version of a product (each size, flavor or scent is its own SKU).
- MOQ: minimum order quantity, usually counted per SKU.
- Stock formula: a manufacturer's existing, proven formula you sell under your brand.
- Modified stock: a stock formula adjusted for actives, sensory profile or claims.
- Tech transfer: moving an existing product's formula and process to a new manufacturer.
- Specification: the measurable standards (identity, purity, strength, composition) a batch must meet.
- SOP: standard operating procedure, the written step-by-step instructions for how a product is made, tested and packed.
- COA: certificate of analysis, the test results for a specific batch.
- GTIN: the number behind a product's UPC barcode.
Have a product in mind? Ask us directly.
How Do You Price a Private Label Supplement or Skincare Product? Cost per Unit, Margins for Amazon, Retail and DTC
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Read the article →What Happens If Your Private Label Supplement or Skincare Product Has to Be Recalled? Lot Codes, FDA Recall Classes and a Recall-Ready Checklist
What happens if your private label supplement or skincare product is recalled: FDA recall classes, lot code rules, who acts and a recall-ready checklist.
Read the article →Can You Put “Made in USA” on a Private Label Supplement or Skincare Product? The FTC’s “All or Virtually All” Test, Qualified Claims and a Checklist
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Read the article →What Changes When You Scale a Private Label Supplement or Skincare Product From Your First Run to 10,000+ Units?
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Read the article →Can a Spa or Med Spa Launch Its Own Private Label Skincare Line? Claims, Labels, MoCRA Rules and Minimums
How a spa or med spa launches its own skincare line: which claims make it a drug, what the label needs under MoCRA, professional-use rules and PMG minimums.
Read the article →Capsules, Tablets or Stick Packs? How to Choose a Private Label Supplement Format (Minimums, Testing and Label Rules)
Capsules, tablets or stick packs (sachets)? Compare minimums (from 1,000 units at PMG, varies by format), label wording, testing and FDA rules before choosing a format.
Read the article →What Do Retailers Require Before They Stock Your Private Label Supplement or Skincare Product? Barcodes, Insurance, Testing and Audits
Barcodes, liability insurance, FDA filings, test results and routing guides: the 6 checks retailers run before stocking your private label product.
Read the article →Does Your Private Label Supplement or Skincare Product Need a Prop 65 Warning? Who Decides, What It Says and the 2025 Short-Form Rules
Does your private label supplement or skincare product need a Prop 65 warning? Who's responsible, what it must say, the 2025 short-form rules and a checklist.
Read the article →How Long Does Stability Testing Take for a Private Label Skincare Product? Accelerated vs Real-Time, Challenge Tests and Shelf Life
Accelerated stability testing typically runs about 3 months at PMG, with real-time testing to confirm shelf life. What cosmetics and OTC drugs need.
Read the article →What Should a Supplement Certificate of Analysis (COA) Show? A Line-by-Line Guide for Private Label Brands
What a supplement certificate of analysis must show under 21 CFR 111: methods, limits, actual results, identity and heavy metals, plus a printable checklist.
Read the article →Which Certifications Should a Supplement or Skincare Manufacturer Have? cGMP, NSF, USP, Organic, Kosher and Halal Explained
Certifications a supplement or skincare maker needs: what FDA requires, what NSF, USP and ISO 22716 audits prove, and organic, kosher, halal rules.
Read the article →What Has to Be on a Private Label Supplement Label? Supplement Facts, Claims, Disclaimer and Allergens
What a private label supplement label must include: 5 required statements, Supplement Facts rules, the claims disclaimer, allergens and adverse event contact.
Read the article →Who Is the Responsible Person Under MoCRA When You Private Label a Cosmetic?
Under MoCRA, the company named on a private label cosmetic's label is the responsible person. See who registers, lists and reports adverse events.
Read the article →Is Your Massage Oil or Muscle Rub a Cosmetic or an OTC Drug?
When a massage oil becomes an OTC drug: claims, FDA M017 menthol and camphor levels, child-resistant packaging, Drug Facts, minimums and timelines.
Read the article →Can You Private Label Hotel Amenities? Body Wash, Shampoo and Lotion for Boutique Hotels and Spas
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Read the article →What Is a Pilot Batch, and Can Your First Production Run Be Under 1,000 Units?
Lab sample vs pilot batch vs first production run, why tiny runs cost more per unit, six realistic options below 1,000 units, and a downloadable readiness checklist.
Read the article →Can You Private Label Essential Oils and Aromatherapy Kits for Amazon?
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Read the article →Can You Make Sugar-Free Pectin Gummies with Allulose?
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Read the article →How to Choose a Private Label Manufacturing Partner
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Read the article →MOQ and Manufacturing Volume: What Actually Matters
Why minimums exist, what they cost below volume, and how to plan a first run you can sell through.
Read the article →How Much Does It Cost to Manufacture Supplements?
A phase-by-phase breakdown of R&D, ingredients, production, packaging, and compliance costs.
Read the article →What Does It Take to Manufacture an OTC Acne Product?
Allowed actives and strengths, Drug Facts labeling, NDCs and registration, and realistic OTC minimums and timelines.
Read the article →Sources and references
- 1.Product Management Group, Contract Manufacturing FAQ https://productmgmtgroup.com/faq
- 2.Product Management Group, Sun Care & SPF manufacturing https://productmgmtgroup.com/industries/sun-care-and-spf
- 3.21 CFR 101.93, Certain types of statements for dietary supplements (eCFR) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-101/subpart-F/section-101.93
- 4.GS1 US, How to get a UPC barcode https://www.gs1us.org/upcs-barcodes-prefixes/how-to-get-a-upc-barcode
- 5.U.S. FDA, Is It a Cosmetic, a Drug, or Both? (Or Is It Soap?) https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-laws-regulations/it-cosmetic-drug-or-both-or-it-soap
- 6.21 CFR 111.70, What specifications must you establish? (eCFR) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-111/subpart-E/section-111.70
- 7.Product Management Group, Start a Project https://productmgmtgroup.com/contact
Fact-checked: 26 claims verified against sources; 3 adjusted.
Product Brief Checklist
A fillable 1-page checklist with The 9-Line Brief and all 11 checks to run before you request a quote.
PDF · 1 page
About Product Management Group
PMG is a full-service private label manufacturing partner for skincare, nutraceuticals, supplements, personal care, and wellness brands. We handle everything from R&D and formulation through manufacturing, packaging, regulatory compliance, and fulfillment, working with FDA-registered, GMP-compliant partner facilities in Florida, North Carolina, Texas, Minnesota, and Arizona. We work with everyone from first-time founders to established retail brands, with minimums starting at 1,000 units.