Private Label Hair Colour Manufacturing: Cost, MOQ & Process

If you’re planning to start your own hair colour brand or add a hair colour line under your existing brand, this is your one-stop guide. In this blog, we’ll cover key aspects like what is private label hair colour manufacturing, cost, moq, manufacturing process, and how to choose the right hair colour manufacturer for your brand.

By the end of this blog you’ll have a clear roadmap to start, understand cost elements, MOQs, process steps, and make informed choices. 

What is Private Label Hair Colour Manufacturing?

Private label hair colour manufacturing means producing hair colour products (creams, gels, developer kits, semi-permanent tints, etc.) under a client’s brand name using your formulations, factory, and production capabilities. 

As a manufacturer, you may offer:

  • Standard private label: Clients choose from existing formulas and shade palettes – fastest route to market. 
  • White-label with light customization: Minor changes like fragrance, packaging, or ingredient tweaks. 
  • Custom/contract manufacturing: Full R&D, exclusive shades, and proprietary actives for complete product differentiation. 

This guide focuses on how you, as a manufacturer, can structure production efficiently, safely, and profitably. 

How Much Does It Really Cost to Manufacture Hair Colour?

The cost of manufacturing private label hair colour varies depending on several factors. Understanding these elements helps you plan your budget effectively and choose the right formulation for your brand. 

1. What Type of Hair Colour Are You Planning to Produce?

Cream colour, gel-based colour, ammonia-free formulas, powder colours, herbal henna blends, and semi/demi-permanent shades all have different ingredient requirements, processing methods, and cost structures.

2. What Ingredients and Actives Are Used in the Formula?

The cost depends on: 

  • Quality and grade of pigments 
  • Imported vs. domestic colorants 
  • Herbal or botanical extracts 
  • Conditioning oils and nourishing agents 
  • Ammonia-free or advanced colour-locking complexes 

Premium and organic actives increase the price accordingly. 

3. What Type of Packaging Do You Want for Your Product?

Packaging significantly impacts cost. Options include: 

  • Laminated or aluminium tubes 
  • Jars or bottles 
  • Sachets 
  • Custom printed outer boxes 

High-end or fully customized packaging increases overall manufacturing cost.

4. How Large Is Your Order Quantity?

The larger the order quantity, the lower the per-unit cost. Smaller quantities affect cost because pigment-based products require large batch processing for consistency. 

5. Do You Need Any Additional Testing or Certifications?

Additional optional costs include: 

  • Stability testing 
  • Dermatological testing 
  • Microbial testing 
  • Certifications like vegan, cruelty-free, herbal 

These tests improve brand trust but add to the overall manufacturing cost. 

MOQ for Private Label Hair Colour

MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) depends on the type of formulation and packaging selection. 

At Naturo & Orgo, our standard MOQ is: 

  • For Cream Hair Colour: 1000–2000 pieces 
  • For Powder Hair Colour (Henna / Herbal): 25 kg–50 kg per shade 
  • For Custom Formulations: 2000–5000 pieces depending on ingredients 
  • For Sachet Packaging: 10,000–20,000 sachets 

MOQ varies because colour products require large batch processing to maintain consistency, pigment distribution, and stability. 

Hair Colour Manufacturing Process

Here is a typical step-by-step process for manufacturing hair colour, adapted for private label context: 

Step 1 — Specifications & Technical Brief

  • Receive client brief: product type (permanent, demi, semi), target shades, packaging format, claims (ammonia-free, herbal), shelf life. 
  • Convert to technical specs: viscosity, pH range, peroxide strength, active concentration. 

Step 2 — Formulation & Sample Development

  • Create lab prototypes; create shade maps and developer ratios. 
  • Internal stability checks (accelerated and real time for early indicators). 
  • Provide client with sample kits (shade swatches, product samples) and documentation. 

Step 3 — Regulatory & Safety Review

  • Confirm ingredient compliance for target market (restricted substances, labeling). 
  • Prepare Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and technical file entries. 

Step 4 — Pilot Batch (Pre-production)

  • Produce a pilot batch to verify scaling behavior, pigment dispersion and fill compatibility. 
  • Perform microbial and preservative efficacy tests on pilot material. 

Step 5 — Stability & QC Testing

  • Conduct standard stability testing (temperature cycling as applicable), pH, viscosity and colorfastness tests. 
  • Record batch data and QC sign-offs. 

Step 6 — Production Scheduling & Procurement

  • Confirm raw material availability, packaging order lead times and production slot. 
  • Lock production date and notify client of expected turnaround. 

Step 7 — Production, Filling & In-Line QC

  • Accurate weighing using batch cards and ERP/BMR (Batch Manufacturing Record). 
  • Mixing, homogenization, de-aeration, and in-line viscosity/pH checks. 
  • Filling lines: tube/fill/seal or bottle filling; inspect seals and weight checks per lot. 

Step 8 — Final QC & Release

  • Perform final batch tests: color consistency, peroxide strength (if applicable), microbial limit tests. 
  • Approve batch release with certificate of analysis (CoA). 

Step 9 — Packing & Handover to Client

  • Package into cartons/kits as agreed. Include batch number, manufacturing and expiry dates, and technical leaflet. 
  • Prepare and hand over batch documentation (CoA, SDS, BMR summary, stability summary). 

How to Choose the Right Hair Colour Manufacturer

Selecting the right private label hair colour manufacturer is critical. Here are key criteria: 

  • Implement GMP and maintain documented SOPs for mixing, filling and cleaning. 
  • Maintain traceability — raw material lot to finished batch. 
  • Perform regular stability and microbial monitoring. 
  • Invest in a small in-house lab for quick assays (pH, viscosity, peroxide strength, and colorimeter for shade consistency). 
  • Keep technical dossiers ready for each formulation (ingredients, functions, safety notes). 
  • Conduct supplier qualification for pigments and critical actives.

Why Choose Naturo & Orgo for Private Label Hair Colour Manufacturing?

  • In-house R&D for custom shade development
  • Advanced machinery for precise blending and pigment dispersion
  • High-quality herbal, organic & cosmetic-grade ingredients
  • Flexible MOQ for startups & established brands
  • Complete support—formulation, packaging, branding
  • Strict quality standards and compliance protocols

We aim to make your brand’s hair colour line reliable, market-ready, and high-performance. 

Conclusion

Launching a hair colour line via private label manufacturing can be a smart, efficient and cost-effective way to enter or expand in the beauty/personal-care market. By understanding the cost components, MOQs, process steps, and how to select the right manufacturer, you significantly de-risk your venture. 

At Naturo & Orgo, we specialize in private label hair colour manufacturing with a strong focus on:

  • GMP-certified facilities 
  • Extensive shade library 
  • Ammonia-free & herbal formulations 
  • Scalable production volumes 
  • End-to-end packaging & branding support 

Whether you’re a startup exploring your first range or an established brand expanding into hair care, our expertise helps you deliver safe, consistent, and market-ready products. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is the typical manufacturing process of private label hair colour?
Ans. A complete process includes specification → formulation → pilot batch → testing → full production → QC → packaging and release.

Q. What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
Ans. MOQs start from 300–1,000 units for standard lines and go up to 5,000+ for fully custom formulations and printed packaging.

Q. How do you calculate the cost per unit?
Ans. By summing raw materials, packaging, labour, testing, and overhead—plus margin and R&D/sample fees.

Q. What tests are necessary for hair colour manufacturing?
Ans. Stability, microbial, preservative efficacy, pH, viscosity, and heavy metal/allergen checks as per cosmetic standards.

Q. How long does the complete process take?
Ans. Typically 6–16 weeks, depending on formula complexity, testing, and packaging customization.

Q. Can manufacturers produce ammonia-free or herbal hair colours?
Ans. Yes. Naturo & Orgo offers herbal, ammonia-free, and semi-permanent formulations tailored to client needs.

Q. What documents are provided after production?
Ans. Certificate of Analysis (CoA), SDS, Batch Manufacturing Record (BMR), stability summary, and labeling details.

Q. Why choose Naturo & Orgo for private label hair colour manufacturing?
Ans. Because we bring together innovation, transparency, and technical expertise — delivering end-to-end manufacturing support, premium formulation quality, and complete customization to help your brand stand out in a competitive market.