Private label and white label packaging let brands launch products without owning manufacturing equipment. Top Tubes provides both, along with contract manufacturing, for cosmetic and skincare formula providers who need packaging without the overhead of running their own production line. We build private label tube programs in ABL, PBL, and extruded plastic construction, so your packaging matches your formula as well as your brand.
Private Label vs. White Label vs. Contract Manufacturing
These three terms get used interchangeably, but they mean different things at Top Tubes:
Private label packaging: You design your own custom tube, from size and shape to color and decoration, and we manufacture it exclusively for your brand.
White label: You select from our existing stock tube designs and apply your own branding, which is faster and more cost-effective than a fully custom mold.
Contract manufacturing: We produce and fill tubes with your formulation, handling both the packaging and the filling process under one roof.
Material Options for Private Label Tubes
Private label and OEM programs at Top Tubes are available in three tube constructions, and our team will help you choose based on your formula and price point:
ABL (Aluminum Barrier Laminate): A five-layer laminate built around an aluminum foil core, giving near total protection against oxygen, light, and moisture. The standard choice for pharmaceutical, oral care, and other sensitive formulas.
PBL (Plastic Barrier Laminate): A five-layer laminate using an EVOH barrier instead of aluminum, offering strong protection while remaining 100% recyclable. A common choice for cosmetics and personal care brands.
Extruded plastic tubes: Single-resin or coextruded tubes in LDPE, MDPE, or HDPE, offering a soft squeeze at a lower cost per unit for formulas that do not need a heavy barrier.
How the Process Works
1. Consultation: We start by understanding your product, target market, and timeline to recommend the right approach, private label, white label, or contract manufacturing.
2. Design and prototyping: Our team works with you on tube size, material, cap style, and decoration, providing prototypes so you can confirm the design before production begins.
3. Sampling: Once the design is finalized, we produce samples so you can verify fit, feel, and print quality before committing to a full run. For orders of 10,000 units or more, we recommend a full pre-production sample before production begins.
4. Production: We move into production once samples are approved, with flexible order quantities to match where your brand is in its growth.
5. Delivery: Finished tubes are shipped to you or, for contract manufacturing customers, filled with your formulation before shipment.
Sustainable Materials for Private Label
Private label and white label tubes are available in PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) and Bio-PE materials for brands that want their packaging to reflect a sustainability commitment. Both materials perform identically to standard plastic tubes. See our sustainable packaging options for details.
Order Quantities, Lead Time, and Quality
Top Tubes’ minimum order quantity for private label and white label tube packaging starts at 5,000 units per SKU, making it accessible for startups testing a new product as well as established brands scaling production. Standard lead time is 10 to 12 weeks from art approval to completed production, and all orders ship FOB Los Angeles. Every private label tube is manufactured in an ISO 9001:2015 certified facility and is BPA free. See our tube packaging cost guide and lead time breakdown for more detail, or contact us with your product details for a specific quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between private label and white label packaging?
Private label means your tube is custom designed and manufactured exclusively for your brand. White label means you select from our existing stock tube designs and apply your own branding, which is faster and lower cost than a custom mold.
Can Top Tubes fill my product, not just supply the packaging?
Yes. Through our contract manufacturing service, we can both manufacture the tube and fill it with your formulation.
What is the minimum order quantity for private label tubes?
Top Tubes’ MOQ for private label and white label tube packaging starts at 5,000 units per SKU. Contact us with your product details for a specific quote.
What materials are available for private label tubes?
We offer ABL, PBL, and extruded plastic construction for private label and white label programs, along with PCR and Bio-PE sustainable material options.
Are sustainable materials available for private label tubes?
Yes. PCR and Bio-PE materials are available for private label and white label tubes and perform identically to standard plastic tubes.
Get Started
Whether you are launching your first product or scaling an established brand, Top Tubes can help you find the right private label, white label, or contract manufacturing solution. Contact us today to discuss your project, or request a quote directly.