Four Cosmetic Manufacturing Services. One Chicago Lab.
Indie founders come to Formula 117 with one of four briefs. Pick the path that matches what you already have — a concept, a target product, a formula, or a launch deadline.
Pick the path that fits what you have today.
| If you have… | The right path is… | Timeline | IP outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| A concept and a performance bar, but no formula | Custom Formula Development | 19–30 weeks | You own the formula |
| A target product you want to match or improve | Reverse Engineer | 21–29 weeks | You own the new formula |
| A finished formula and a master batch document | Bring Your Own Formula (BYOF) | 8–10 weeks | Your formula stays yours |
| A launch deadline and no formula yet | Private Label Skincare | 4–6 weeks | Library license; graduate later |
Most indie founders don't fit cleanly into one row at first read. That's normal — the brief gets specific in the first conversation. Start with the path that matches what you actually have today, not what you wish you had. You can always graduate from private label or BYOF into custom development as the brand and the product mature. Every path runs through the same chemist-founded lab in Chicago, Illinois.
Common questions.
Which Formula 117 service is right for my brand?+
The fastest filter is what you already have in hand. No formula and you want originality? Custom development. A target product you want to match? Reverse engineer. A formula you already own? BYOF. A launch deadline and no formula yet? Private label. The four service pages walk through each in detail; the comparison table above is the short version.
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) at Formula 117?+
500 units per SKU across all four service lines. Per-unit manufacturing pricing settles at $2–$3+ once volumes reach 2,500–5,000 units in subsequent runs. Custom development is project-quoted (not per-unit) for the formulation work itself; BYOF and private label price per unit because the formulation is settled.
Where are products manufactured?+
Chicago, Illinois. Every Formula 117 service runs through our domestic facility — not drop-shipped from a warehouse, not offshored, not white-labeled to a third party. Brand owners can visit, see the line, and meet the chemist on the same trip.
Who owns the formula across the four services?+
Custom, reverse engineer, and BYOF: you do. The formula, documentation, and right to manufacture elsewhere belong to your brand outright. Private label is the exception — library formulas are licensed for your manufacturing use and remain available to other brands. If a private-label SKU becomes meaningful enough to lock as your IP, the path is to commission a custom reformulation.
Do you handle regulatory, claims, and stability documentation?+
Yes — across every service. Stability runs on the standard 12-week protocol where applicable. Claim support documentation is part of the deliverable. Regulatory frameworks (clean standards, vegan, country-specific lists) are handled at the brief stage so they feed directly into formulation and sourcing decisions, not bolted on at the end.
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