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Develop an original formula
MAXIMUM CONTROLBRIEF / R&D / TESTING / SCALE
Develop an original formula
around your brief.
Develop an original formula around a specific concept, performance target, ingredient system or strategic IP requirement.
Custom Formulation & ManufacturingBRIEF / R&D / TESTING / SCALE
AT A GLANCE
Useful planning markers for this service. The final brief determines the exact scope, quantities and timing.
01 / WHAT THIS SERVICE DOES
Turn a product brief into a formulation that can scale.
Custom Formulation is the route for brands with a clear reason to create something new. The process moves from product blueprint to R&D, applicable third-party testing and commercial production.
Built from the brief
The consultation explores the concept, customer, performance, texture, ingredient goals, packaging, positioning, volumes and testing requirements.
Commercial-scale thinking
R&D considers ingredient percentages, processing methods, viscosity, appearance and repeatable manufacturing—not just a one-off sample.
Testing as applicable
Qualified third-party testing may be required, with stability, compatibility and microbiological work depending on the formula.
IP option
Formula IP rights may be available for purchase under a separate agreement and applicable fees.
02 / WORKFLOW
Blueprint. R&D. Test. Approve. Manufacture.
Each step reflects the actual handoff required for this capability.
01
Consult
Define the vision and development roadmap.
02
Create
Develop and refine the formulation.
03
Test
Complete applicable third-party testing.
04
Approve
Finalize a production-ready formula.
05
Manufacture
Move into commercial production and scale.
03 / DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM01 02 03 04
The goal is not a sample. It is a formula that can be manufactured.
Product blueprint
Define performance, texture, ingredient, positioning, packaging and volume targets.
R&D development
Develop and refine the formulation around the agreed product specifications.
Applicable testing
Coordinate appropriate third-party stability, compatibility or microbiological work.
Commercial readiness
Prepare the approved formulation for repeatable manufacturing at the required scale.
04 / BEFORE YOU START
Questions specific to Custom Formulation & Manufacturing.
01Why does Custom take longer?
A genuinely new formulation requires development and applicable testing time; significant changes can also require testing to be repeated.
02What are the manufacturing minimums?
Oil-based products can start at 1 gallon and creams/emulsions at 10 gallons, with actual minimums depending on formula and equipment.
03What launch investment should I plan for?
CLC recommends planning around a typical starting investment of approximately $10,000+ per SKU when development, testing, materials, packaging and first production are considered.
PROJECT BRIEFTell us what already exists.
Tell us what already exists.
We’ll start from there.
The questions below are specific to this service, so the CLC team receives the product, timing and asset details needed for a useful first response.