How to Start a Private Label Incense Line: Minimums, Packaging and Timelines

Many of the trade enquiries we receive come from people starting their own incense line: an established brand adding a scent, an apothecary putting its own name on the shelf, or a founder launching a new brand. This guide answers the questions we hear most often.

Short on time? You can start with white label packaging from 100 units, add your own stickers or printed inserts from 500 units, and move to fully custom packaging from 3,000 units. Ready stock ships in about a week. If you are a first-time brand, we can look at even smaller quantities with you.

1. White label, private label or custom: what each one means

White label is finished incense in clean, neutral packaging, labelled but unbranded. It is the fastest and most affordable way to test a product. From 100 units.

Private label is the same product carrying your brand, through stickers or printed inserts on neutral kraft packaging. From 500 units, with a smaller first run possible for new brands.

Custom packaging means a box or a full packaging system designed and printed for your brand. From 3,000 units.

Custom manufacturing means adjusted dimensions, a different wood or a defined specification made to order. From 50 kg.

2. Choosing your scents and format

Private label sticks are 15 cm long, made without a bamboo core in the Japanese senkō style, in Palo Santo, Sandalwood and Agarwood. Cones are 4 cm, in those three scents plus Taiwanese Cedar and Mugwort.

Our incense is produced in Taiwan by established manufacturing partners, from aromatic wood powder, a natural Lauraceae-family bark binder and water. No synthetic fragrance or fragrance oils are added, so scents such as fig, neroli or white musk are outside our range. If your brand is built on natural materials, that is a point you can share with your customers.

3. How small can you start?

Most new brands start with two or three scents. White label from 100 units per order lets you test the market before you invest in printed packaging. If you are launching a new line, tell us about your brand: we can often arrange a smaller first private label run.

4. Packaging

A 15 g box holds about 30 sticks. Cones come in bags of 24, in fabric pouches or ziplock bags for private label.

• Neutral kraft with your sticker: the quickest route to a branded product, ready in 5 to 7 days.
• Printed inserts: a card inside the pack with your story, ingredients or usage notes.
• Custom printed boxes: lead time depends on the box structure and finish, so we confirm it once the design is set.

For stickers and inserts, a print-ready file of your logo and artwork is all you need.

5. Order samples first

Before committing to a scent, smell it burning in your own space. Our scent kits include every core wood, and the kit cost is credited toward your first order. See the sample options.

6. What drives the unit price

• The wood: aged Palo Santo costs more than Sandalwood, Agarwood or Cedar.
• The packaging level: white label, stickers, inserts or custom print.
• Quantity: price tiers step down as the order grows.

Our wholesale catalog and price list are shared on request, once we understand your project.

7. Timeline

Products in stock ship in about a week from payment. Stickers on neutral kraft add 5 to 7 days. DHL Express then takes 3 to 5 business days to the US, Canada and most of Europe. Custom printed packaging takes longer and is scheduled once the artwork is approved.

8. Documents and compliance

Every product comes with a full ingredient list. For export orders over about US$1,850 we can provide a certificate of origin. Each production run is one batch, and independent SGS testing of a batch can be arranged on request, at the buyer's cost.

Rules differ by market. In the EU, the importer is usually responsible for labelling and safety information, so check with your local regulator or customs broker before you order. Import duties are paid by the buyer.

9. Ten questions to ask any incense supplier

1. What exactly is in the stick: wood, binder, fragrance oil, bamboo?
2. Where does the main material come from?
3. What is the minimum per scent and per order?
4. Can I start small with neutral packaging?
5. How many sticks are in each pack?
6. What branding options do you offer at each quantity?
7. How long from payment to shipping?
8. Can I order samples, and is the cost credited?
9. Which documents can you provide for my market?
10. Who pays the import duty, and how is shipping quoted?

Starting your own line?

Tell us your scents, quantities and destination, and we will come back with options. Request a quote or samples, or read more about our private label service.