FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW DO YOU SOURCE INGREDIENTS?
We insist that our suppliers meet our quality and cruelty-free standards. That's why we have a dedicated sourcing coordinator on staff to actively evaluate suppliers and ensure you're getting the best quality ingredients possible. When possible, we work closely with both American and international certified organic farmers to acquire fresh ingredients for use in our products. We have several hundred ingredients and can source for specialty when needed. Learn more about our sourcing practices and cruelty-free standards.
WHAT ABOUT QUALITY & SAFETY?
- High Quality No Matter What! While we formulate with the best ingredients (for real), there's no skimping here. Even if you want to create an economical product, we promise to still use the highest quality and freshest ingredients possible. At SALVE, quality is our top priority. We source all ingredients from FDA-registered suppliers who manufacture in cGMP-compliant facilities under strict quality control standards.
- Safety Testing: Because our formulations are custom and small-batch, we don't conduct in-house analytical testing or generate finished-product COAs and SDSs. Instead, we can coordinate directly with the independent third-party lab you selected; supplying the necessary formulation details and materials so they can perform testing (such as microbiology screening, shelf-life stability, and THC potency) and issue your final documentation. Third-party testing fees are determined by your chosen laboratory based on the specific services you select. Additionally, we assign expiration dates based on the primary ingredient lot numbers used in your batch, which we will discuss during your formulation planning meeting.
DO YOU MAKE LUXURY & PRESTIGE PRODUCTS?
Yes. In addition to our plant medicines, we do specialty products too. We source rare and unique ingredients to formulate potent and effective topical solutions. We even do our own in-house organic plant infusions and extractions.
FORMULATING WITH INTENTION?
Every ingredient recommended is selected with with intention. We will never recommend something in your formula that you don't need or is redundant.
CAN YOU FORMULATE TO MY PRICE GOAL?
Sometimes our customers want to stay within a specific price point. We know everyone in the supply chain wants a cut. We can formulate to your price goal. You're going into business to make money and not give product out for free. We know cost matters. Because we are the manufacturer's manufacturer, we can custom formulate to your specific price point, working backward. You tell us the price per ounce that you want, and we'll select the premium ingredients and adjust ratios to meet your goal. Keep in mind we use high quality natural ingredients, so we'll likely not be the cheapest.
NO FORMULATION FEES?
Yes, it's true ... we don't charge formulation fees, and we never will (unless you want to own the IP). Because of this, there is a high demand for our services. We dedicate a lot of time, resources and expertise to write each formula and ask that only serious inquiries be made.
WHO OWNS THE IP?
We don't charge formulation fees, even for custom development. However, SALVE retains ownership of all formulation intellectual property (IP). For complex, non-standard formulas, we may offer a 5-year IP purchase window, subject solely to SALVE’s discretion. To maintain IP exclusivity during this period, a minimum order frequency of once per year is required. Please note that this option applies only to custom formulations developed exclusively for you; standard product bases or formulas shared across multiple clients are not eligible for IP purchase.
ALREADY HAVE A FORMULA?
We can use yours, create a new formula or refine your existing one, and still provide a production quote with zero setup fees. To protect your intellectual property, we begin with a mutual non-disclosure agreement (NDA); we will never share or sell your formula under any circumstances. Material quotes are provided based on current market ingredient pricing.
Please note that we are steadfast in our commitment to cruelty-free practices; if your formula contains non-cruelty-free ingredients, we will recommend plant-based substitutes. Furthermore, our formulator retains full discretion on whether we can accept and manufacture an existing formula. If you wish to include a specialty ingredient, please review our "Sending Us Your Ingredients" intake process below.
Your formula is your property, and we run all client formulas as-is. We will never modify your ingredients or percentages unless you specifically direct us to do so. If we identify potential processing or stability issues, we may offer recommendations, but deciding whether to apply our expertise to alter the formula is entirely up to you.
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Formula Execution: You retain full IP ownership when providing a complete percentage-based formula. A recipe is not a formula. If you choose to have us reformulate or adjust the product using our expertise, IP terms will need to be reassessed.
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Sensory Matching: Because raw materials vary across suppliers, texture or feel may differ slightly from what you've experienced with other manufacturers. We ask that you provide a physical sample to help us understand your expectations and match your exact standard.
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Transparency: Providing clear disclosure and complete formula percentages ensure smooth scaling and complete IP protection.
Please provide the full trade names and supplier details for each ingredient when submitting your formula. This information is essential for us to evaluate the formulation's composition accurately.
Our experience in contract manufacturing has shown that raw material adulteration and specification mismatches are surprisingly common. We once investigated a customer's formula that felt significantly too soft compared to her bench sample, only to find her wax supplier had provided paraffin under the guise of beeswax.
Knowing which vendors you currently use allows us to compare their technical documentation against our own rigorously vetted ingredient catalog. This step helps us identify potential texture or performance shifts upfront, ensuring your finished product aligns with your expectations.
SAMPLES
We don't provide samples because we make everything custom made to order. It costs a lot of labor hours to clean the lab and prep materials and batch records for a small amount. Our minimum for a custom product is 1 Gallon which is considerably low compared to other manufacturers requiring a min 20k units! For our in-house formulas, the minimum is what is offered for purchase through our site. We still make those products fresh to order.
DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU NEED?
No need to stress, your formulator will help you even if you don't know what you need. We do this all day, every day!
SENDING US YOUR INGREDIENTS?
We now offer bulk production and private label filling for formulas containing CBD, additional cannabinoids, or customer-provided ingredients. To ensure quality and safety, all client-supplied materials must follow our intake process and meet our standards: they must be cruelty-free, non-hazardous, and naturally derived.
The minimum order quantity is 1 gallon per SKU, with a $65 administration fee applied per received ingredient. All incoming materials must include accurate labeling and complete documentation, including our intake form, a Certificate of Analysis (COA), and a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Shipments failing to meet these requirements will be automatically rejected and either returned or disposed of at the customer's expense. Additional terms and conditions apply. Contact us to learn more.
FDA GMP COMPLIANT
All of our processes; from manufacturing to final filling, strictly adhere to current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), ensuring consistent quality with every batch. We maintain complete batch records for every product we manufacture, keeping our documentation audit-ready at all times.
While we previously operated under an FDA drug manufacturing registration, SALVE currently operates as an FDA-registered contract manufacturer with an FDA Establishment Identifier. We maintain those same rigorous quality, compliance, and record-keeping standards across all production runs today.
OUR VALUES: QUALITY. SERVICE. RELATIONSHIPS.
Personal relationships matter to us, and we want to be a partner in your success for a very long time. You will be given Dahlia's (your formulator) personal phone number to call or text at any time. She's always excited to help you brainstorm and give recommendations on product and ingredient as well as market trends.
READY TO GET STARTED?
Here is our step-by-step process for custom formulation and private label manufacturing:
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Schedule Kickoff Introduction Meeting: Use this booking link to schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation with our formulator. If you only have a rough concept and are unsure which ingredients you need, our team will guide you through the initial ideas.
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Introduction Meeting: During this meeting, we will review your project scope, target market, product applications, desired ingredients, unit targets, goal $/oz, and packaging specifications (sizes, materials, etc.). Our formulator will answer your questions and share recommendations to lay the groundwork for your custom build.
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Mutual NDA: Following our initial discussion, we will send over a Mutual NDA and Manufacturing Agreement. Both documents must be signed and returned before proceeding to the next stage.
- Formulation Writing and Sourcing: Using the specifications gathered from your meeting, our formulator drafts your custom formula. Our sourcing team then secures current market pricing for all components and sources any specialty ingredients not currently in stock. Finally, the formulator reviews the ratio balance to finalize the formulation design.
- Providing Quotation: You will receive an email titled "Ingredient Deck & Quotation" containing your complete INCI ingredient list alongside qualifying marketing claims (such as cruelty-free or organic content percentage). This breakdown includes pricing for bulk volumes (e.g., 1-gallon and 5-gallon options) as well as itemized costs for private label services, including packaging, labeling labor, and sealing.
- Formula & Budget Adjustments: After reviewing your quote, your formulator will connect with you to answer questions and fine-tune details. Because we build every custom formula in-house, we offer complete flexibility to adjust ingredients and overall costs. Our formulator will advise on optimal ingredient ratios and point out smart cost-saving options, such as alternative raw materials or concentration adjustments, without compromising overall performance. Once the formulation and pricing are finalized, we move to billing.
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Invoicing & Payment Terms:
(Each Private Label Order Will Get 2 Invoices)
- Orders Under $3,000: Full payment is required upfront.
- Orders Over $3,000: A 75% deposit is required upfront, with the remaining 25% balance invoiced upon project completion.
- Production Variance & Final Billing: Production runs carry an industry-standard volume variance of +/- 2%. Your final invoice will reflect the exact yield of your batch. Any production underages will be credited against your final shipping invoice.
- Retain Samples: To maintain compliance and complete batch documentation, we retain 1 physical product sample per 1,000 units manufactured (at the client's expense).
- Shipping & Adjustments: Final shipping costs and any yield adjustments are billed separately upon completion before boxes are mailed out.
- Production Queue: Your order enters the manufacturing queue as soon as payment is confirmed and all raw ingredients are in stock. Estimated turn-around times are established during your initial planning meeting with the formulator and confirmed when production is scheduled.
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