Supplement Manufacturer by Category and Dosage Form
ZOOMSHEAL Health is a GMP-certified contract manufacturer in Guangzhou, China. Pick your product category or preferred dosage form below to see formulations, MOQ, certification and lead times.
By Dosage Form
By Product Category
How to Choose a Dosage Form
The dosage form is usually decided by the active, not by preference. Oils, fish oil and fat-soluble vitamins go into softgels; powders and herbs that taste bitter go into capsules or coated tablets; actives that must absorb quickly and cannot be swallowed as a pill become liquid drops; and anything a consumer will take daily for years — collagen, biotin, multivitamins — survives best as a gummy or a stick pack because compliance is higher. If the same formula can be made two ways, we quote both and let the landed cost and the target audience decide.
The second constraint is volume. Every format has a minimum run: capsules and tablets start at 1,000 units, softgels and gummies at 1,000-3,000 depending on tooling, and stick packs at 1,000 units for stock film. Below those numbers the setup cost dominates and the unit price stops making sense. Above roughly 50,000 units, tooling, film and bottle costs fall sharply, so it is worth planning a second SKU or a larger pack size at the same time.
The third is timeline. Sampling takes 2-3 weeks whether the format is a capsule or a gummy, but production swings from 4 weeks for capsules to 6-8 weeks for gummies and effervescents, which need curing, drying or humidity-controlled packing. Add 3-5 weeks for sea freight to the US or EU. A launch that must hit a specific retail window is usually a capsule or tablet launch, not a gummy one.
Dosage Form Comparison
| Dosage Form | Starting MOQ | Production Lead Time | Best For | Key Cost Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capsules | 1,000 units | 4-6 weeks | Powders, herbs, probiotics, multi-ingredient formulas | Capsule shell and fill weight |
| Tablets | 1,000 units | 4-6 weeks | High-dose vitamins, minerals, chewables, effervescents | Tooling, coating and tablet weight |
| Softgels | 1,000 units | 4-6 weeks | Oils, omega-3, fat-soluble vitamins, CoQ10 | Gelatin or vegan shell and oil blend cost |
| Gummies | 1,000-3,000 units | 5-8 weeks | Collagen, biotin, vitamin C, kids and immunity lines | Pectin or gelatin base plus curing time |
| Powders and stick packs | 1,000 units | 4-6 weeks | Creatine, electrolytes, greens, protein, fibre | Film or jar cost per serving |
| Liquid drops | 1,000 units | 4-6 weeks | Vitamin D3, K2, B12, elderberry, herbal tinctures | Dropper bottle, carrier and dose per drop |
Choosing a Manufacturer: Common Questions
Which supplement dosage form has the lowest minimum order?
Capsules, tablets, powders and liquid drops all start at 1,000 units per SKU when stock bottles, film and caps are used. Gummies and softgels are higher because of mould or die tooling, typically 1,000-3,000 units.
Do all formats take the same time to produce?
No. Capsules, tablets, powders and drops run 4-6 weeks after artwork approval. Gummies need 5-8 weeks because of curing and drying, and effervescent tablets need humidity-controlled packing that adds about a week.
Can I launch one formula in several formats?
Yes, and it is often the best launch strategy: a capsule or powder for the daily user, a gummy or stick pack for trial and subscription. The active specification and testing stay aligned, only the carrier and overage change.
What certifications should the factory hold?
At minimum GMP and ISO 22000 or HACCP, plus an FDA registration for the US market. Halal, Kosher and organic certification are product- and market-specific; we confirm which apply to your formula before quoting rather than listing certificates the project does not need.
How do I compare quotes between manufacturers?
Compare the same scope: fill weight or active potency, packaging, label printing, testing and Incoterms. A quote that excludes the CoA, the bottle or the freight is not cheaper, it is incomplete. We quote ex-works and delivered so the difference is visible.
What is the smallest realistic first order for a new brand?
1,000 units per SKU is workable for capsules, tablets, powders and drops. Budget for label and carton setup on top of the unit price, and expect the second order to be cheaper because sampling and tooling are already paid for.
Can't find your category?
We also run custom formulation projects for categories that are not listed here. Send us your formula idea, target market and volume and we will come back with a feasibility and cost estimate.