When a private label order runs late, people usually suspect the oil or the production line. In reality the cause is often packaging: bottles that arrived late, caps that do not fit the bottle neck, or labels printed at the wrong size. This guide explains who supplies packaging materials, how to calculate quantities with sensible overage, and how to inspect them before filling starts.
Why packaging comes before the oil
The oil is prepared at the factory on the production schedule, while packaging comes from different suppliers with different lead times. Bottle, dropper, carton and label must all arrive together. One missing component stops the whole batch even when the oil is ready. Packaging scheduling is therefore part of order planning, not a detail to settle later.
What you need to account for
- Primary container: the glass bottle.
- Dispensing and closure: dropper, pump or cap.
- Secondary packaging: the folding carton and any leaflet.
- Labels: the bottle label and any separate batch-code label.
- Shipping packaging: outer cartons, dividers and protective wrap.
Write this list before requesting a quotation and note beside each line who supplies it and who approves it.
Three supply models
| Model | How it works | Advantage | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factory supplies everything | Materials bought by the factory and included in unit price | Single point of responsibility, simpler coordination | Design choices limited to the factory's suppliers |
| Brand supplies everything | You buy and ship materials to the factory | Full design freedom | Delays and conformity are your responsibility; storage needed |
| Mixed model | Factory supplies standard items, you bring the custom one | Good balance | Shared hand-off point can lead to blame shifting |
No model is best in every case. Brands starting with small quantities usually let the factory supply most items, while larger brands often prefer to control their own supplier for consistent visual identity. What matters is that the chosen model is written into the quotation.
Overage and waste
The line uses some packaging for machine setup, fill trials and quality checks, and some defective pieces are rejected. Ordering exactly the number of finished units can leave you short mid-batch. There is no universal percentage; it varies with material type, batch size and how automated the line is. Agree in writing on:
- the overage for each material type and the reason for it;
- who pays for the overage that is consumed;
- what happens to unused overage: kept for the next order or returned.
For the oil quantity itself, see our guide to calculating argan oil quantity; bottle counts and liquid volume should be planned together.
Lead times
Lead times vary widely by supplier and by whether an item is stocked or made to order. Start with the longest item, usually the printed or customized one, and ask for the actual lead time rather than assuming. Approve artwork before printing, as described in our working process: an error found after printing means reordering everything.
Incoming inspection
- Match to approved sample: colour, shape, thickness, neck size.
- Assembly test: check closure tightness and ease of opening.
- Cleanliness: no dust, debris or hairline cracks.
- Printing: text, colours, label direction.
- Quantities: count cartons and record shortages or breakage.
- Traceability: photos and supplier batch number.
Also test compatibility with the oil, as covered in our packaging compatibility guide.
Who is responsible for a defect?
It depends on the supply model and when the defect is found. If the factory supplies the materials, it answers for their conformity. If you supply them, supplier manufacturing defects fall on your side, while damage at the factory during storage or filling falls on the factory. Put these rules in a written agreement with a reporting deadline and a documentation method.
FAQ
Should the factory or I buy the bottles?
For first orders and small quantities, factory supply is usually simpler. Buy yourself when you need a design the factory's suppliers do not offer.
What overage percentage should I ask for?
There is no fixed figure. Ask the factory which rate it uses per material and record it in the quotation.
Can I use bottles sent from another supplier?
Yes, provided you approve a sample, check the neck and closure, and deliver early enough.
What if bottles arrive broken?
Photograph them, notify supplier and factory in writing within the agreed period, and do not start filling until a replacement is agreed.
Next step
To plan with us who supplies each packaging item from the start, send your product specifications through the quote request page. The Assil Ouargane team will reply with a clear breakdown of materials and lead times.
