You don’t need to manufacture products to run a successful online store. With private labeling, you work directly with manufacturers to develop products that match your brand’s specifications. These items can be shipped to a fulfillment center, your warehouse, or straight to your customers.
Private-label products are great for brands expanding their product catalog for an established audience, building a new brand with unique products, or creating a passive income stream.
In this guide, you’ll learn about the most profitable private-label products to sell and how to start your own private-label brand.
What is a private-label product?
A private-label product is manufactured by a third party but sold under your brand name. In this business model, you control every aspect of the product—from specifications and materials to design and packaging.
40+ private-label product ideas and manufacturers
Working with private-label manufacturers gives you access to millions of potential products. But with so many options, sourcing products from a reliable private label dropshipping supplier can be tricky.
To help you get started, here are the most popular private-label categories, along with specific product ideas based on monthly search volume (MSV) and recommended white-label manufacturers:
Private-label apparel and accessories
Apparel is an ideal category for private labeling. You can easily customize designs, offer different colors and materials, and build a unique brand identity.
Before choosing products, consider what shoppers are actively searching for. Here are some of the most-searched apparel and accessories terms with their monthly search volume (MSV):
- Backpacks (1,220,000 MSV)
- Women’s jeans (368,000 MSV)
- Maternity dresses (368,000 MSV)
- Men’s dress shoes (201,000 MSV)
- Women’s hiking boots (165,000 MSV)
- Women’s tank tops (135,000 MSV)
- Women’s yoga pants (49,500 MSV)
- Workout shorts for men (9,900 MSV)
Here are three reliable manufacturers that integrate with your Shopify store:
AOP+
Available in: EU, UK, and US
AOP+ specializes in organic print-on-demand productsfor clothing, home goods, and accessories. Since they handle manufacturing in-house, you can create custom t-shirts, flip-flops, tote bags, and wall plaques.
The AOP+ app connects to your Shopify store to automate orders and fulfillment.
Apliiq
Based in: Los Angeles
Apliiq is another private-label supplier and print-on-demand company focusing on trending products like woven label clothing, pocket tees, lined hoodies, and patch beanies.
The company commits to shipping all orders within one week. Their Shopify app provides automatic order processing and customer tracking updates.
Modalyst
Specializes in: US-based athleticwear
Subscribing to Modalyst’s Pro Plan gets you unlimited products, custom packaging and branding, and fast shipping—typically three to eight days for US orders and less than 15 business days for international shipping.
Alt: Four images including a leopard print bag, a lady wearing a floral top, sunglasses, and sandals.
Like other manufacturer apps for private-labels, Modalyst automates order processing and fulfillment and offers live chat support for retailers.
Private-label cosmetics and hair care
Hair care and cosmetics products have seen remarkable success with private-label business models. Here are the highest-volume searches showing what potential customers are looking for:
- Shampoo (673,000 MSV)
- Hyaluronic acid (550,000 MSV)
- Sunscreen (550,000 MSV)
- Moisturizer (450,000 MSV)
- Hairspray (368,000 MSV)
- Conditioner (246,000 MSV)
- Dry shampoo (165,000 MSV)
- Hair oils and serums (110,000 MSV)
- Eye cream (110,000 MSV)
- Hair wax (74,000 MSV)
- Mousse (74,000 MSV)
- Hair gel (60,500 MSV)
- Exfoliating toner (18,100 MSV)
- Natural facial cleanser (6,600 MSV)
- Curl enhancing cream (1,000 MSV)
- CBD face oil (920 MSV)
- Polypeptide cream (590 MSV)
Try this manufacturer for developing your own private-label cosmetics product line:
Thomasnet
North American supplier directory
Thomasnet connects you with more than 500,000 suppliers offering six million products.
To find beauty manufacturers on the platform, start by searching for “private-label manufacturing” or “contract manufacturing” in their search bar. Once you’re on the results page, you can browse manufacturers specializing in beauty items, skin care products, dietary supplements, and CBD products. Each manufacturer profile includes detailed information about their manufacturing capabilities, quality certifications, and contact details. You can also request quotes directly through the platform.
Private-label food and supplements
Private-label food and supplements are growing rapidly, even competing with national grocery chains. Here’s what’s trending in this space:
- Cakes and pies (2,700,000 MSV)
- Pasta (1,500,000 MSV)
- Candy and chocolate (1,200,000 MSV)
- Probiotics (673,000 MSV)
- Soup (550,000 MSV)
- Niacinamide (550,000 MSV)
- B vitamins (368,000 MSV)
- Condiments (165,000 MSV)
- Gluten-free (135,000 MSV)
- Breakfast foods (110,000 MSV)
- Omega-3 fatty acids (90,500 MSV)
- Organic foods (60,500 MSV)
- Tri-Mag (22,200 MSV)
- Fair trade (12,100 MSV)
- Vitamin D3 liquid (3,600 MSV)
- Zinc with elderberry (1,600 MSV)
- CBD (1,600 MSV)
- Non-dairy products (1,000 MSV)
- ADK (480 MSV)
- Liposomal melatonin spray (390 MSV)
Dripshipper
US-based coffee private labeling
Dripshipper offers a complete solution for selling coffee online using a private-label supplier and your Shopify store. You can create and customize your own branded coffee packaging, logo, pricing, and labels.
Based in the US but shipping worldwide, Dripshipper maintains exceptional freshness standards. It ships whole beans the same day they’re roasted, while ground beans are dispatched the next day. All orders are processed within five business days.
The platform offers different monthly plans to suit your business needs. Its Elite plan includes access to Dripshipper’s in-house design team, along with additional business coaching and training resources to help grow your coffee brand.
Benefits of private-label products
Private labeling has become increasingly popular as a business model, offering several key advantages for online store owners:
Higher profit margins
When you work directly with manufacturers, you cut out middlemen and control your pricing. This typically leads to better profit margins than selling traditional branded products—a significant advantage for growing businesses.
Complete brand control
Private labeling gives you control over every aspect of your product, from packaging design to product specifications. You can create a consistent brand experience that sets you apart from competitors.
Quick market adaptation
Respond to market trends faster than traditional brands. Since you’re working directly with manufacturers, you can launch new products quickly and adjust existing ones based on customer feedback.
Stronger customer loyalty
Unique products create stronger connections with your customers. When shoppers can only find certain products through your store, they’re more likely to return and recommend your brand to others.
Reduced competition
Private-label products, especially in specific niches, face less direct competition than generic alternatives. This exclusivity helps your store become a destination for shoppers seeking unique products.
Legal considerations for private-label products
Before launching your private-label brand, understand these key legal requirements:
Product compliance
Different products have different regulations. For example:
- Cosmetics require ingredient disclosure
- Electronics need safety certifications
- Food items must meet FDA standards
- Each country has its own compliance rules
Ensure your products meet all relevant safety and compliance standards.
Intellectual property protection
Protect your brand by:
- Researching trademark availability
- Registering your brand name and logo
- Ensuring product designs don't infringe on existing patents
- Documenting original creative elements
Product liability coverage
As the brand owner, you’re responsible for product safety. Protect your business with:
- Comprehensive product liability insurance
- Clear quality control processes
- Documented safety testing
- Incident response procedures
Accurate labeling
Your product labels must include:
- Complete ingredient lists
- Clear usage instructions
- Country of origin
- Required safety warnings
- Accurate product claims
Misleading claims, whether intentional or not, can lead to legal repercussions and damage your brand’s reputation.
Supplier agreements
Your supplier agreement is more than just a purchase order; it’s a legal contract that dictates the terms of your business relationship. Work with a lawyer to create agreements that cover:
- Intellectual property ownership
- Quality standards
- Confidentiality terms
- Production specifications
- Delivery requirements
- Dispute resolution procedures
How does a private-label business work?
A successful private-label business combines three key elements: a strong brand identity, smooth online checkouts, and solid manufacturer relationships.
After researching their target market, retailers establish a brand and create sales channels to reach customers. They then work with private-label suppliers to develop products they can purchase, market, and sell for profit.
Most private-label retailers serve a specific niche where they deeply understand consumer needs. Clothing and cosmetics stores frequently develop private-label product lines, as do grocery stores. Target has its Archer Farms private-label, Walmart has Great Value, and Costco has Kirkland Signature.
Private labeling continues to grow among national brands and small businesses alike, with store brands now representing a large portion of retailers’ total sales.
Advantages of selling private-label products
Beyond outsourcing manufacturing, private labeling offers several advantages:
Control over production: As a retailer, you work directly with manufacturers to select materials and ingredients, while making key decisions about product quality, production rates, and costs.
Control over pricing: Once you know your private-label or white-label product production costs, you can develop your pricing strategy and leverage your brand power to achieve your target profit margins. This flexibility helps you adapt to market conditions.
Adaptability: Small retailers selling private-label products can move quickly to meet market demands. You can work with suppliers to add a new product feature or adjust products, while larger companies with in-house manufacturing often struggle to pivot—giving you an opportunity to capture market share.
Control over marketing and branding: With private-label products, you have complete control over branding and marketing, including how products are presented to audiences and positioned in your catalog.
Disadvantages of selling private-label products
While private labeling has many benefits, it doesn’t come without its challenges:
Difficulty building loyalty from zero: For new brands, developing a following takes time. This is especially challenging for private-label retailers without a product development story.
Without a narrative about designing and crafting your products, you’ll need creative ways to build brand reputation.
Manufacturer dependency: Because third-party manufacturers handle production, you depend heavily on their capabilities. Supply chain issues, price increases, and quality problems can significantly impact your business—often with limited solutions available. Choosing a reputable, reliable supplier becomes crucial, as quality and service vary significantly between manufacturers.
How to start a private-label brand
Private labeling simplifies product development, letting you focus on what retailers do best: building a brand, marketing a products, and connecting with customers.
After choosing your products and manufacturer, follow these steps to launch your private-label store:
1. Test your products thoroughly
Always test products before listing them for sale. While items might look perfect in manufacturer catalogs or showrooms, the actual products can differ significantly. Order samples and evaluate them carefully—just as you’d try on clothing before buying, test your products before committing to large orders.
Quality testing helps ensure products meet your standards and will satisfy your customers' expectations.
2. Create your online store
Build your online store on Shopify, starting with a free trial and professional website themes. Then expand your reach by setting up sales channels on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Visit the Shopify App Store to find tools for managing your private-label business. Many supplier apps integrate directly with your store to automate shipping and inventory management.
3. Add your products strategically
Shopify's back end makes adding a new product to your online store easy. Follow these content marketing practices when adding products:
- Write compelling product descriptions: Focus on customer benefits, not just product features. While technical details matter, customers want to know how products will improve their lives.
- Use high-quality product photos: Online shoppers rely entirely on photos to evaluate items. Consider what images you’d need to make a purchase decision without seeing your products in person. Many manufacturers can provide professional product photography.
- Develop a balanced pricing strategy: Your prices should ensure profitability while remaining competitive in your target market.
4. Market your store effectively
Once your store is ready, focus on building awareness and driving traffic. Start with paid advertising on Google, Facebook, and Instagram to promote your brand and research competitor strategies.
As your site traffic grows, expand your marketing with:
- Email marketing campaigns
- Social media content
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- Customer loyalty programs
Launch your private-label brand
Starting a private-label brand simplifies product development—often a major hurdle for entrepreneurs. Create your online store, build your audience, then work with manufacturing experts to design unique products your customers will love.
Ready to start your business? Create your website today, or learn more about Shopify's tools for selling online and in person.
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Private-label products FAQ
Is private labeling profitable?
Yes, private labeling can be highly profitable. You control costs, set your margins, and create exclusive products for your audience. This combination of control and uniqueness helps build customer loyalty and reduce direct competition.
Is it illegal to private label products?
No, private labeling is completely legal when done properly. Follow relevant regulations, including safety standards, trademark laws, and labeling requirements. With proper precautions, private labeling is a legitimate business strategy.
How much does private labeling cost?
Starting a private-label business typically requires at least $1,000. Major expenses include:
- Product samples
- Website setup
- Payment processing
- Order fulfillment systems
How do I price private-label products?
Consider these factors when pricing:
- Manufacturer costs
- Shipping expenses
- Operating costs (website, marketing, payment processing)
- Competitor pricing
- Customer willingness to pay
Can you make money from private labeling?
Yes, private labeling can be profitable when executed well. Follow the steps outlined in this guide to build a successful private-label business.
How do I start with private labeling?
- Choose your target niche.
- Find a reputable manufacturer that meets your standards.
- Develop product designs and test samples.
- Set up fulfillment and shipping.
- Create your Shopify store and launch your marketing.