Procurement Process
Step 1: Define your product format and absorbency range.
Start by deciding which pad lengths and absorbency levels your brand will offer. Common launch categories include panty liners (140-160 mm, light absorbency), day pads (190-240 mm, moderate absorbency), and overnight pads (280-420 mm, high absorbency). Maternity pads and post-surgery pads serve specific market segments. Most brands launch with 2-3 core lengths to test channel response, then expand based on sell-through data.
Procurement discussion point: Ask your OEM partner which formats they produce most frequently in your target market. Volume-optimized formats often have better pricing and shorter lead times.
Step 2: Select top sheet, core, and back sheet materials.
Material selection determines retail positioning and cost structure. Top sheet options include cotton (comfort positioning), organic cotton (premium/sustainable), bamboo charcoal (odor-control claims), and synthetic non-woven (value tier). Absorbent core options include superabsorbent polymer (SAP), wood fluff pulp, or blended constructions. Back sheet choices include breathable PE film or non-woven fabric.
Procurement discussion point: Request material specification sheets for each component and confirm traceability from the OEM's suppliers. Ask about minimum material order quantities and lead time differences between material tiers.
Step 3: Plan your MOQ and phasing strategy.
YUJI uses 10,000 pieces per SKU as a trial MOQ reference for sanitary pads and liners. Plan first-order quantities per SKU, accounting for retail pack count (e.g., 8, 12, or 16 pads per pack translates to a higher number of finished retail units). A phased approach — launch 2-3 SKUs first, then expand with additional lengths, materials, or absorbency levels — reduces inventory risk and allows demand validation.
Procurement discussion point: Ask whether the OEM offers combined MOQ across multiple SKUs or reduced MOQ for repeat orders of the same format.
Step 4: Design packaging — wrapper, box, carton, and barcode.
Retail packaging includes individual wrapper design (sealed, folded, or perforated), retail box or pouch configuration, carton pack quantity, and barcode assignment. Specify packaging language, any required warning or importer text, and sustainability preferences (recyclable or biodegradable materials). Packaging artwork typically requires 1-2 revision rounds — factor this into your launch timeline.
Procurement discussion point: Confirm the OEM's artwork specification format (AI, PDF, or layered files), the number of revision rounds included in the quoted price, and the lead time impact of custom packaging versus standard options.
Step 5: Request samples and evaluate against specifications.
Request pre-production samples for each format and verify pad length, absorbency performance, material layering alignment, wrapper seal quality, box or pouch fit, and overall print quality. Compare every sample against your written specification sheet. Document all approvals in writing before authorizing mass production.
Procurement discussion point: Ask about sample lead time, whether sample cost is deductible from the first production order, and how the OEM handles specification revisions during the sampling phase.
Step 6: Confirm quality documentation and certificate readiness.
Request material certificates for top sheet, core, back sheet, and wrapper components. Confirm available test reports — SGS, TÜV, or equivalent — for material safety. Verify certification scope including ISO 9001, FDA establishment registration or cosmetics registration, and CE marking for EU markets. For organic material claims, request GOTS or OEKO-TEX certification directly from the supplier and confirm it covers your specific product.
Step 7: Plan logistics — carton, shipping, and market entry.
Confirm carton dimensions and pack quantity, carton labeling and marking requirements, and Incoterm agreement with your OEM. Coordinate with your freight forwarder on shipping timelines, required customs documentation, and destination market import requirements such as labeling language, ingredient declarations, and product registration procedures.
Private-label pad brand launch checklist
Launch your pad brand with YUJI.
YUJI supports private-label sanitary pad brand launches with transparent material sourcing, flexible format and packaging options, responsive sampling, and clear QC documentation. Send your retail product specification and target markets for a comparable quotation and launch timeline.