Everything you need to know before starting your private fragrance project

Perfume is personal. A single scent can transport us back to childhood, remind us of someone we love, or define a brand’s entire identity. It’s no wonder more entrepreneurs, influencers, and businesses are exploring custom fragrance development as a way to stand out.

If you’ve been dreaming about creating your own scent line—whether it’s for a boutique, salon, subscription box, or retail shelves—this guide will walk you through exactly what to expect. From minimums to timelines to the creative process itself, here’s how your idea becomes a finished fragrance, ready to bottle and share with the world.

Why Create a Custom Fragrance?

A custom fragrance can:

• Elevate your brand – Scent creates instant recognition and emotional connection.
• Differentiate your products – A fragrance exclusive to you ensures customers can’t find it anywhere else.
• Build loyalty – Customers who fall in love with “your” scent will return again and again.
• Expand product categories – Once your fragrance is created, it can extend into candles, body care, home sprays, and beyond.

Fragrance is one of the most powerful brand assets you can own. Unlike a color or logo, it’s tied directly to memory and emotion—making it unforgettable.

The Project Requirements

Here’s what you need to know before you begin your custom fragrance journey:

• Minimum Order
  • 15 lbs of raw fragrance or 1000 ounces of finished product
    
• Project Fee: $1,500 (this covers development, sourcing, and creative work)
• Timeline: Typically 90 days from start to finish
• Typical Budget: Most clients spend $8,000–$12,000 per fragrance (this includes development, raw materials, bottling, and packaging)

This ensures that the process is efficient, high-quality, and sustainable for both you and our production team.

What the $1,500 Project Fee Includes

Many customers ask what’s covered in the project fee. Here’s a breakdown:

• Fragrance Consultation – We’ll talk through your vision, goals, and inspiration (scents you love, brand identity, target customer).
• Creative Development – Our perfumers create custom blends tailored to your concept.
• Sampling & Refinement – You’ll receive sample iterations and provide feedback until we hit the perfect balance.
• Raw Material Sourcing – We secure the highest-quality fragrance oils and ingredients.
• Production Planning – Bottling, packaging, and final formulation are mapped out.

Think of this fee as your entry point—it covers the creative and technical expertise required to bring your vision to life. The real investment happens during production, where raw materials, packaging, and bottling bring your fragrance to scale.

The Extensive Research + Back-and-Forth

Here’s something many first-time clients don’t realize: fragrance development is deeply research-driven and highly iterative.

A single formula may go through dozens of trials before it’s ready. We’re not just mixing oils together—we’re carefully balancing evaporation rates, top/middle/base notes, and how the scent evolves on skin over hours. This takes time, expertise, and patience.

Expect back and forth sampling as you fine-tune your scent:

• Does it lean too sweet?
• Is the longevity where you want it?
• How does it layer with other products in your line?

This isn’t a one-and-done process—it’s extensive collaboration between you and the perfumer to ensure the final fragrance truly feels like your brand.

The 90-Day Timeline: What to Expect

Creating a custom fragrance isn’t an overnight process—but that’s a good thing. Fragrance development requires time, testing, and precision. Here’s what the journey looks like:

Phase 1: Discovery (Weeks 1–2)

• Consultation call to define goals, inspirations, and preferences.
• Review of your brand identity and target audience.
• Initial mood board and fragrance direction created.

Phase 2: Formulation (Weeks 3–6)

• Our perfumers begin blending based on your input.
• You’ll receive 2–3 sample variations.
• Provide feedback, note adjustments, and choose the direction.

Phase 3: Refinement (Weeks 7–9)

• Fine-tuning the formula to ensure balance and longevity.
• Final round of samples for your approval.

Phase 4: Production Prep (Weeks 10–12)

• Scaling formula for your chosen minimums (raw or bottled).
• Bottling, labeling, and packaging alignment.
• Final sign off from you.

By the 90 day mark, your fragrance is ready for full production.

 

Budgeting for Custom Fragrance

This is where many clients need clarity. While the project fee is $1,500, the realistic budget for a single custom fragrance is $8,000–$12,000.

Here’s why:

• Raw materials (fragrance oils, alcohol, bases)
• Packaging (bottles, caps, sprayers, cartons)
• Production & labor
• Compliance testing & documentation

Custom fragrance is a serious investment, but it’s one that can pay off. A unique scent builds brand loyalty and creates new product lines that extend your revenue for years.

Common Questions Customers Ask

1. Can I create multiple fragrances at once?
Yes! Many clients start with one “hero” fragrance, then expand into seasonal or complementary scents later.

2. What if I don’t know exactly what I want?
That’s okay. We’ll guide you with scent categories (floral, citrus, gourmand, woody) and provide inspiration until something resonates.

3. Can I own the formula outright?
Yes. Once your fragrance is developed, the formula is yours and will not be sold to other clients.

4. How do I decide between raw fragrance or bottled minimums?

• Raw fragrance is ideal if you plan to use the oil across multiple product types (candles, diffusers, sprays, lotions).
• Bottled minimums are best if you want a turnkey fragrance product line, ready to sell.

Mistakes to Avoid

Many first-time clients stumble in these areas—here’s how to skip the learning curve:

• Skipping clear brand direction – Come prepared with ideas, mood boards, or even words that describe your brand vibe. It makes the creative process smoother.
• Rushing the process – A custom fragrance takes time. The 90-day timeline ensures quality, stability, and consistency.
• Underestimating budget needs – A realistic budget of $8,000–$12,000 ensures you can cover development, production, and packaging without cutting corners.

Marketing Your Custom Fragrance

Once your fragrance is ready, it’s time to sell. Here are some strategies clients have used successfully:

• Exclusive Launch Event – Announce your fragrance with a special online drop or in-store event.
• Storytelling – Share the inspiration behind your scent. Customers love knowing the “why” behind the fragrance.
• Tiered Products – Offer samples, rollerballs, and full bottles to maximize sales.
• Subscription Box Tie-In – Include mini sizes in monthly boxes to build loyalty and repeat purchases.
• Cross-Promotion – Partner with influencers, salons, or boutiques that align with your target market.

Why Work With Us

Unlike generic private label options, our process is fully custom. We don’t just put your logo on an existing scent—we create something entirely new, just for you.

Our clients range from indie boutiques to established lifestyle brands, and they all share one goal: to offer something truly unique.

If you’re ready to stand out, building a fragrance that no one else has is one of the smartest moves you can make.

Ready to Start?

Here’s what to do next:

• Decide whether you want raw fragrance or bottled minimums.
• Set aside the $1,500 project fee.
• Plan for a total budget of $8,000–$12,000 per finished fragrance ; or $1500 for raw fragrance.
• Schedule your custom fragrance consultation.

From there, we’ll take you step by step through the process until your custom fragrance is finished and ready to launch in about 90 days.

Key Takeaways

• Minimums: 15 lbs of raw fragrance OR 1000 ounces.
• Project Fee: $1,500 covers creative development, sourcing, and sampling.
• Timeline: 90 days from start to finish.
• Budget: Realistically $8,000–$12,000 per fragrance.
• Process: Extensive research, back-and-forth sampling, and collaboration are required.
• Ownership: Your formula is unique and exclusively yours.