
These two services are at the heart of China’s manufacturing, offering everything from mass-produced pens to branded apparel
White labeling and private labeling are two of the most popular ODM manufacturing services offered by Chinese suppliers. If you’re an eCommerce seller, understanding the difference between these terms is essential, as your final product and its cost depends on which services you choose. If you’re interested in learning more about China manufacturers or planning to source in China, this blog is for you!

What are white label products?
A white label is a product manufactured without branding or customizations. It’s usually produced in advance in large quantities and sold to multiple retailers. This means the manufacturer doesn’t sell a white-label product to one retailer, as many others can get their hands on the same product.
Example of white label products
The best way to explain white labeling is by laying a real-life example. Let’s say you’re an eCommerce seller and want to order a shipment of phone chargers with China electronic manufacturing services. If you opt for white labeling, you can get a low-cost charger in a short amount of time. The manufacturer can allow you to do limited customizations, such as choosing colors and socket types. You can buy the chargers unbranded and then customize them yourself, or the manufacturer could offer the option of putting your company logo on that charger.
Benefits of white labelling
When opting for China manufacturing companies, white-label services can bring a host of benefits, including:
- Low cost as the product is already designed and doesn’t require special resources.
- Faster production time (especially with unbranded products).
- Simple process: There are no manufacturing complexities or back and forth with the supplier.
- Low risk: White label products are often tested and tried by previous buyers.
- Lower Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ).
Disadvantages of white labeling
Like any other manufacturing service, white labeling presents a few challenges you should be aware of:
- Higher competition from other retailers who sell the same products under their brand.
- It may require additional marketing efforts to make your product stand out.
- Less control over production with limited customization options.
What are private label products?
Private labeling is the process of manufacturing a product and selling it exclusively to one retailer or brand. Unlike white labels, which allow for limited to no customization, private labeling allows the retailer to have more control over the production process to come up with a fairly unique product.
Example of private label products
Let’s say you’re an eCommerce retailer looking to source a new type of shirt. You can look for clothing manufacturers in China to find a private label producer, which can offer you multiple options to create that shirt. In addition to deciding the size and colors, you’ll be able to give more input on design, fabric, logo, and more. The final design will carry your brand and logo and even your style of packaging, therefore the factory will not sell that same shirt to other retailers.
Benefits of private label products
Private label products present a wide range of benefits for online retailers, such as:
- Competitive products: the more unique your product the higher the price tag.
- Higher level of control over the production process and quality.
- The China manufacturing company will give you more options and designs to choose from.
- Your competitors cannot source the same product.
- No manufacturing experience required: a china manufacturing company can help with this.
Disadvantages of private label products
Before connecting with China manufacturers for private labeling, there are a few disadvantages you should know:
- Higher cost compared to white label products.
- Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) is often higher than white labels.
- Requires more time to be produced.
White label vs private label products: What to choose?
There are advantages and disadvantages to both white labeling and private labeling. Depending on your business, you may need to source from both types. If you have a specific idea about a product and you think there is a demand for it, then private-label products are the answer. If you want to source something on a budget and in a short time and you don’t have certain specifications in mind, then white labeling is the way to go.
Source quality products from reliable factories with Lansil Global
You have a plethora of options to source from China, but finding the best supplier and negotiating favorable rates can be daunting. At Lansil Global, we have an experienced team with connections with over 2,000 manufacturers in China. Our team is Chinese native and at the forefront of this operation.
From simple white label products to private labeling, we can secure you the best deals and help you bring your products to market faster.
Ready to grow your business and source better products? Take the first step today by booking a free consultation.