Quick answer: As a softgel manufacturer, we make private label softgel supplements from a minimum order of 300,000 softgels per product, which is 5,000 bottles at 60 softgels per bottle. Softgels are the right format for oils, fat-soluble vitamins and ingredients that need a liquid fill. If your first order needs to be smaller, a capsule, tablet or powder can start from 500 bottles.
Softgel facts at a glance
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Minimum order | 300,000 softgels per product (5,000 bottles at 60 softgels per bottle) |
| Best for | Oils, fat-soluble vitamins and oil-soluble actives |
| Samples | Ready-stock samples are free; custom-made samples cost $30 |
| Formula | Belongs to you |
| Shipping | EXW from our factory in Guangzhou or Haikou (depending on the dosage form), FOB, or DDP |
The exact minimum, lead time and packaging options for your project are confirmed in the quotation.
When softgels make sense
- Oil-based ingredients. Fish oil, krill oil, flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil and similar ingredients are already liquids, so a softgel is the natural format.
- Fat-soluble ingredients. Vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, CoQ10 and similar actives dissolve in oil, so they can be filled as a liquid.
- Easy to swallow, no taste. The shell seals the fill, so customers do not taste the oil, and softgels are often easier to swallow than large tablets.
- Premium positioning. A clear, glossy softgel looks different on the shelf from a tablet or a powder.
Softgels are not the best fit for every product. Water-based or very high-dose dry powders usually work better as capsules, tablets or powders. We will tell you which format is more practical before you commit to a large run.
What we check before a softgel project starts
| Item | What we check |
|---|---|
| Fill compatibility | Is the fill an oil or an oil-based suspension that stays stable inside the shell? |
| Dose per softgel | Does the dose fit a softgel size customers can swallow? Large doses may need two or three softgels per serving. |
| Shell choice | Gelatin is the standard shell. Plant-based shell options are reviewed for vegan and plant-based positioning. |
| Stability | Does the fill stay stable over the shelf life without leaking, hardening or sticking? |
| Packaging | Do the bottle, desiccant, seal and label protect the product during shipping? |
How a softgel project runs
- Brief. You share the formula or product goal, serving size, target market and bottle count.
- Feasibility review. We check fill compatibility, dose, shell and packaging, and suggest changes where needed.
- Sample. We make a sample for your approval.
- Approval and production. After you approve the formula and packaging, we confirm the production schedule in the quotation.
- Export. We prepare the documents for your destination market and ship EXW, FOB or DDP.
Documents we can provide
Depending on the product and market, we provide ingredient specifications, certificates of analysis (COA), testing documents, allergen and vegan statements where applicable, and label and artwork support. Our group holds NSF/ANSI 455-2 GMP, FSSC 22000 and Halal certificates.
Compare softgels with other formats
| Format | Best for | Minimum order |
|---|---|---|
| Softgels | Oils and fat-soluble actives | 5,000 bottles |
| Capsules | Flexible blends, botanical extracts | 500 bottles |
| Tablets | High doses in a compact format | 500 bottles |
| Powders | Large doses, sports and wellness products | 500 bottles |
| Gummies | Consumer-friendly format, limited active load | 500 bottles |
See our capsule OEM, tablet, powder and gummy pages, or our low MOQ supplement manufacturer page if you want to start small.
Softgel questions
What is the minimum order for private label softgels?
300,000 softgels per product, which is 5,000 bottles at 60 softgels per bottle. Gummies, capsules, powders and tablets start at 500 bottles.
Can I start with a smaller order?
Yes, in another format. Many brands launch a first product as a capsule, tablet or powder from 500 bottles, and add a softgel once the brand is selling.
Do you offer vegan softgels?
We review plant-based shell options for projects that need vegan or plant-based positioning, and confirm what is available in the quotation.
Who owns the formula?
You do. The formula you develop with us belongs to you.
Request a softgel quote
Send your formula idea, serving size, target market and bottle count. We will confirm the dose, the minimum and the timeline.
Request a softgel quote or claim your free formula kit.
Related guides
- Private label supplement launch timeline by format
- How to choose a supplement OEM: factory audit, compliance, MOQ and export checklist
- The 500-bottle quote trap: 9 costs a low-MOQ price may not include
Minimums, specifications and lead times are general guidance and are confirmed in each quotation.