Getting Started With Custom Branded

Starting a brand can be incredibly exciting, yet daunting. The thrill of bringing your own dog waste bag brand to market comes with the challenge of managing various costs. You may wonder, “What do I need to do, in what order, and how much is it all going to cost?” Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. This guide will help aspiring entrepreneurs, budget-conscious brands, and UK-based startups in the pet supply industry to understand and manage design, manufacturing and import costs effectively.  Just remember to leave enough for your marketing budget.

Getting Started

Starting a branded product line, especially in the pet industry, involves multiple steps and hidden expenses. At Ecohound, we specialise in helping you bring your brand to life while keeping costs manageable.

Costs of Starting your dog waste bag Brand – A Detailed Breakdown and how we can help.

Product Design Costs

Designing a product that stands out requires investment. From hiring a professional designer to conducting market research, costs can quickly add up.  Before you know it £1000+ has already been blown from your budget.

Ecohound:  We can help with your product design from providing free product and packaging templates to full creation, bringing your design to reality with our in-house design team at a fraction of the cost.

Prototyping Costs

Prototyping is crucial to refining your product. However, it often involves multiple iterations, each adding to the expense.

Ecohound:  We can provide free dog waste bag samples of our Ecohound and unbranded ranges and low cost digital print samples of your dog waste bag packaging (price included within product design fees)

Product and Raw Materials Costs

Quality yet sustainable raw materials are essential for creating a reliable product. It’s important to source materials that meet your standards without breaking the bank.

Ecohound:  We source our post-consumer plastic waste, Oceanex and starch based raw materials sustainably at a reasonable cost.  We work with some of the largest and most reputable manufacturers in the industry.

Sampling Costs

Before you go into full production, you’ll need samples. These samples help in testing the market but come at a price.

Ecohound: Should you require branded sample bags and boxes we will charge as per the cost to us for manufacturing and postage and no more.  Max. sample supply 3 boxes.

Manufacturing Costs

Choosing the right manufacturer is key. Costs vary based on location, scale, and quality of the manufacturing process.

Ecohound: manufacturing will be your largest expense. While we do have minimum order quantities (MOQs), we aim to keep these as low as possible for initial orders. For dog waste bag rolls, the MOQ is 10,000 rolls, and for flat-packed dog waste bags, it is 625,000 bags. Our order volumes are significantly lower than the industry standard, which often requires three to four times these amounts.

Import and Delivery Costs

Import costs of products, plus shipping and delivery costs. These can add up quickly, so it’s crucial to negotiate favourable terms with your suppliers and explore alternative shipping options.

Ecohound: At Ecohound we keep it simple.  The cost of importing, shipping and delivery is inclusive of your order price.  We will deliver straight to your business, no stress, no hassle for you.

Stock Costs

Inventory management is critical. Balancing stock levels to meet demand without over-committing financially can be tricky.

Ecohound: Depending on your business type, duration in operation, and size, we can offer flexible deposit options. You can pay between 30% and 50% upfront, with the remaining balance due just before delivery.  This can help control costs whilst maintaining stock levels critical to success.

Packing Costs

Packaging not only protects your product but also serves as a branding tool. However, innovative and eco-friendly packaging can be costly.

Ecohound: We can also assist with packaging requirements.  Our tip: make your product packaging your postal packaging, not only is it better for the environment it will save you a small fortune.

Quality Control

Ensuring your product meets quality standards requires rigorous testing and inspection, which adds to the overall cost.

Ecohound: We take care of quality control ensuring your branded products meet our high standards.

Storage Costs

Storing your stock securely and in optimal conditions incurs additional expenses.

Ecohound: We can also offer storage at a reduced cost if required.  Just call of your stock 1 pallet at a time.

The worst mistake you can make is not considering your budget and ending up with no funds for marketing. It’s essential to identify potential hidden costs and plan accordingly. By understanding where your money is going and making smart choices, you can keep your costs down and ensure the successful launch of your brand.

In the competitive world of pet products, efficiency and quality are key factors that can make or break your business. For pet product retailers and e-commerce entrepreneurs, outsourcing the manufacturing and import of custom branded dog waste bags can be a game-changer.

At Ecohound, we provide a personalised and efficient service and are committed to keeping your initial design, manufacturing and import costs manageable with no hidden costs.

Ready to bring your brand to life? Outsource to Ecohound.

Remember, it’s entirely possible to keep your costs down while creating a brand that stands out. It all comes down to careful planning and smart decision-making.