Your first consultation with a contract manufacturer goes much further if you prepare a few things. They don’t need to be perfect, just enough for the factory to understand what you want to make, who you are selling to and at what price.
1. The product
Is it a dipping sauce, a BBQ sauce, a hotpot base or a marinade? What is it eaten with? If there is a reference product on the market, send the name or a photo. A reference sample conveys flavour far faster than a written description.
2. Target market
Domestic or export? If export, which countries? Taste preferences, labelling rules and permitted ingredients vary between markets, so this directly shapes the formula.
3. Sales channel
Supermarkets, e-commerce, restaurants or gifting? The channel decides the pack format, the shelf life you need and even how the label is laid out.
4. Target retail price or unit cost
Many people hesitate to share this, but it is the most useful number you can give. With a target price, the factory can propose ingredients, packaging and formats that fit, instead of making a great product you can’t sell at your price.
5. Pack format
Bottle, jar, can, pouch or sachet? What size? If you are unsure, describe your channel and the factory will advise. See also our guide to choosing packaging for sauces and seasonings.
6. Expected volume
How many units in the first batch, and how many per month after that? Volume affects unit cost and production planning. An estimate is enough.
7. Documentation and certification requirements
Do you need product registration files, a certificate of analysis (COA) or export documents for a specific market? Importers and retailers often have their own requirement lists, so send them along if you have them.
Don’t have all seven yet?
That’s fine. A product idea and a target market are enough to start; the factory will work through the rest with you. At Cicook, our quote form follows this same checklist so you can fill it in within minutes.
Compiled and edited by the Cicook editorial team from the sources listed under References. For information only; please check the original documents before making business decisions.