The sample stage is where you turn an idea into an approved product. A rushed sample approval is the most common reason a brand ends up with a carton of products it does not want. Here is how samples work and how to test them.
Types of samples
- Stock samples: an existing formula in standard packaging, so you can feel the texture and check performance.
- Customised samples: the formula adjusted to your brief – a different scent, colour or texture.
- Pre-production samples: the final formula in the final packaging, used as the reference for bulk production.
What samples cost at Cosmebatch
A sample costs US$20, international shipping included, and ships as a small parcel. The fee is credited in full against your first bulk order of one carton (144 pieces) or more of any product placed within 90 days. Sample terms are set out in our Terms of Service.
How to test a cosmetic sample
Texture and performance
- Use it daily for at least two to four weeks.
- Ask a few people with different skin or hair types to try it.
- Note absorption, finish (matte, dewy), scent and how it layers with other products.
Packaging
- Does the pump prime easily and dose a sensible amount?
- Does the tube or cap seal without leaking when shaken or squeezed?
- Can the last 10% of product be used?
- Does the print or label survive contact with the product and water?
Simple stress checks
- Leave one unit somewhere warm and one somewhere cold for a couple of weeks and compare with a unit at room temperature.
- Look for separation, colour change, smell change or crystallisation.
These checks do not replace the stability information your safety assessor needs, but they catch obvious problems early. See what your safety assessor needs.
Approving the sample
Production follows the sample and specification you approve, so write the approval down:
- Product name, size and packaging.
- Formula version or reference.
- Colour, scent and texture notes.
- Any requested changes and whether a new sample is needed.
Keep one approved unit as a reference for comparing with your bulk delivery.
From sample to bulk order
Once you approve the sample, ask for the final quotation – read our quotation guide – and confirm artwork that meets the label requirements. Then production starts. To see what you can sample now, browse the product range.
