Fancy selling your own brand of products? Want customers to remember your business? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are a great fit for white labeling. That is, selling products manufactured by others, customized with your own branding or design.
Selling white label products removes the need to manufacture products on your own. Plus, it’s an ideal option for those looking to jump on a trend—white label suppliers often recommend products that are currently in demand, which you can brand to make your own.
In this post, we’ll share 10 ideas for white label products you can start selling today. Plus, we’ll include tips on how to make the most of white labeling, especially when selling in a competitive industry.
What is white labeling?
White labeling is the process of customizing generic, mass manufactured products for several brands. The customization is subtle, with only the brand name or logo added in most instances. You can bulk order white label products, dropship them, or print them on demand.
White labeling is often used interchangeably with “private labeling.” But the two aren’t the same. Both involve making products and then rebranding or relabeling them for another brand or store. Private labeling, however, most often refers to manufacturing and branding products before they are sold exclusively by one company or brand.
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For instance, a category of power tools items under Walmart’s generic brand is sold only at its outlets. Due to the nature of customization and high setup costs, private labeling is usually more expensive for businesses. White label products are more accessible due to low minimums.
The benefits of white label branding
White label branding lets you quickly launch a business around an existing product. You don’t need to have any manufacturing experience or creative skills to get this business started. Choose a product and add your own personal touch via branding, unique packaging, a great website, and tailored shopping experiences.
White labeling can be the ideal option if you:
- Are looking to monetize an influencer or personal brand with merch
- Want to start a business without much upfront cost
- Aren’t interested in manufacturing or making products yourself
- Don’t have a unique product idea
- Want to jump on a trending product
White label vs. custom products
It can be highly rewarding to make your own unique products from scratch. But it’s not something everyone can do. You need to be creative as well as have the patience and time for product R&D. Those who don’t have these traits may opt to skip manufacturing altogether.
The drawback of a white label strategy is that the same item may be sold under various brand names. Most Amazon searches, for instance, returns pages and pages of identical products with different branding. You can stand out from the competition by creating a unique brand story and customer experience.
10 white label products to sell online
Now that you understand how white labeling works, read on for products you can start rebranding right away.
1. Phone accessories
White label phone accessories are easily customizable and inexpensive to produce. This includes other items like car mounts and selfie rings, all of which you can sell under your company's brand. Plus, accessories like phone cases are an excellent choice for designers or artists to showcase their work on an affordable accessory.
2. Reusable tote bags
With consumers worldwide ditching plastic, retailers can make good money by adding reusable tote bags to their offerings. These bags can help you become socially responsible and increase brand awareness at the same time. Graphic designers and artists can use them, too—the large flat surface of a tote is a great blank canvas for showcasing your work. You should be able to source white label tote bags from dropshipping suppliers, allowing you to start selling with a low initial investment.
3. Massage guns
Massage guns became popular as a white label product after people replaced their wellness sessions with at-home devices. You can find multiple suppliers for massage guns on sites like Alibaba, ready to customize the product with your logo.
4. LED lights
Seeing a lot of LED light products on your Instagram feed these days? Many brands are offering subtle variations of the same LED items. You can set your brand apart from the rest by investing in different products, such as novelty lights, solar-powered camp lights, and fairy lights. Plus, invest in creating a website and marketing strategy to attract more people to your offerings.
5. Mugs
Enamel mugs engraved with custom artwork, travel mugs featuring your logo, or ceramic mugs decorated with memes. There are several ways to white label this household product. And with the holiday season in full swing, it’s a good time to enter the drinkware space. More people will make coffee and tea at home—your mug can be the center of it.
6. Cosmetics
Did you know that many cosmetic brands you see today are made by a handful of manufacturers? What sets them apart is the formulation, packaging design, and perhaps the brand identity. For instance, the private label company Seed Beauty produces both ColourPop’s and Kylie Jenner’s brands.
7. Sunglasses
Ever considered starting your own line of sunglasses? White labeling is one way to do it without a large upfront investment. You can get in touch with a white label service provider offering sunglasses in the style you want to offer. Sunglasses are a timeless accessory and come in wide varieties, including urban sunglasses, luxury sunglasses, and more.
8. Home décor
If the idea of selling home décor products appeals to you, you should definitely consider partnering with white label vendors. You can sell dinnerware, clocks, lamps, and other décor products under your own brand. Look at what items are currently trending and add them to your catalog to attract potential buyers.
9. Essential oils
Branded essential oils are a great way for entrepreneurs to foray into the wellness niche or monetize a personal brand. You can tap into a variety of niches for this product, including candles, diffusers, and bath products made with essential oils. Use channels like Pinterest and Instagram to promote your items via enticing visuals.
10. Fitness products
The fitness niche is ripe with opportunities for white label brands. You can brand t-shirts, leggings, sports socks, yoga mats, water bottles, and fitness equipment through multiple manufacturers and print-on-demand companies. Partnering with micro-influencers can help you build awareness and drive product sales.
Sell a white label product today
The barriers to selling products under your own brand continue to diminish. With every new white label company and product idea, it becomes easier to offer branded products in the marketplace. Get started with white labeling through a dropshipping supplier or print-on-demand company—it’s a great way to set yourself up for long-term success.
White labeling FAQ
Is white labeling profitable?
White labeling can be profitable if you have the right pricing strategy, the ability to drive traffic, and effective management of business finances. A low risk way to get started is to use the dropshipping or print-on-demand business model—both remove the need to purchase inventory upfront.
Where can I find white label products?
You can find a supplier of white label products on platforms like Alibaba and DHgate. Additionally, check other manufacturers and companies that offer white label items. Some, including dropshipping and print-on-demand companies, integrate directly with Shopify.
Where should I sell my white label products?
You can sell white label merchandise to consumers through your ecommerce website, a physical store, and via marketplaces and social shopping channels that integrate with Shopify. It’s also possible to sell your products to other retailers, but you’ll need to set up a wholesale channel first. Research your target audience and then decide how to position your business.
How do I start white labeling?
A few simple steps can help you get started:
- Select a product.
- Find a supplier—decide if you will dropship, print on demand, or buy inventory.
- Develop a brand and brand assets for your business.
- Build a Shopify store and set up sales channels.
- Start selling!
