Interest in essential oils has been steadily increasing and the demand for these oils has never been higher. Essential oils are products created by the distillation or the mechanical processing (cold-pressing) of plants or the rinds of citrus fruits. Once the distillation process is complete, the essential oils of the plant are physically separated from the water or steam used during distillation. This produces a true essential oil, used for a variety of reasons, including aromatherapy and to improve overall health.
With demand so high for essential oils, those interested in creating their own products will find a variety of oils easy to extract from its plant or rind source. Producing essential oils can be a lucrative business but one which will depend on the quality of bottling and the marketing of the product. Because the essential oil business has become highly competitive, it is critical to have the right packaging to attract consumer attention.
There are 5 key considerations for choosing the right container to bottle and sell handcrafted essential oils. These considerations include:
There are a number of bottling options available for essential oil packaging. In addition to the appearance of the packaging, it is crucial to figure out the practical use of the essential oil to decide what kind of bottle and bottle assembly needs to be used. Essential oils can be provided in bottles with a dropper assembly used for precise measurements. Oils may also be distributed in bottles with a dabber or roll-on assembly. Spray bottles may be needed for essential oils used as a fragrance. There may also be a need for essential oils to be bottled in an easy-to-pour container. Quality of the caps used for essential oils is also very important for the protection of the product. If caps are ill-fitting, the oils will quickly evaporate.
Due to a heavy saturation of essential oils in the marketplace, it is important to differentiate a product from everyone else’s line of oils. This is where the color and shape of the bottle chosen becomes important. Selling an essential oil bottle should take some careful consideration. Take a closer look at the other essential oil products already on the market to get an idea of what an ‘average’ bottle looks like before making a definite decision. Consumers can easily be influenced by an attractive color or a unique bottle shape or label design, and often make purchases based on first impressions.
Another consideration is the bottle’s color. Many essential oil producers bottle their products in colored glass bottles. The color provides a natural protection for the oils from the sun’s UV rays. While some sellers now prefer a brighter, eye-catching color for products, many still choose amber-colored glass for practical reasons. Clear bottles can be used to highlight a uniquely colored oil to attract consumer attention but may not be the practical choice.
Essential oils are usually packaged in smaller bottle sizes, such as 5ml and 10m. It will be important to consider the dispensing amount when using dropper and pipette caps. As many essential oils are used as part of a recipe, the measurement of each drop dispensed at one time will need to be calculated. This measurement will depend on the size and manufacturer style of the droppers and pipettes.
Not all bottles are created equally. It is important to do research to determine the quality of the glass or plastic being used to make the bottle. Many oil producers prefer to store their products in glass bottles. Using plastic bottles can compromise the quality of the oil and in some cases, the low-quality plastic containers may even leak the oils during storage. The concentrated oils can eat through the plastic container. Diluted oils, such as those used in recipes for lotions and creams, can safely be stored in a plastic container. Essential oils also need to be protected from sunlight, heat, air, and moisture. All of those factors must be considered when choosing the right oil bottle in order to protect the integrity of the product, especially for oils with a substantial shelf life.
Another factor concerning bottle durability is understanding how products will be shipped to customers or suppliers. Low-quality glass bottles may not be able to withstand the shipping process, breaking bottles and destroying the oils before they reach the consumer, even when the best packaging methods are used. Having high-quality, durable bottles from the start will ensure a business always provides high-quality products to the customer.
Find the right durable container for future essential oils sales before spending a lot of money buying in bulk. Once the right bottle size, shape, and color has been determined quantities can be ordered in bulk to save money. If the wrong bottles are bought in large quantities, a lot of money is wasted upfront.
Getting started in the essential oils business is time-intensive and requires an initial investment of money for supplies and production costs. There will be money lost during the trial and error period so buying in bulk right out of the gate is not recommended. Start small, producing only a few oil types and research cheap or free marketing items to help spread the word about products and gain momentum in the market. For the business to be successful, overhead costs should be controlled at all times. This means decisions should be made before a lot of money is invested in the production of the essential oils.
Decisions about the brand’s image is important and can go a long way to creating a profitable business. Choosing the right bottle, the right label format, and the right marketing concepts (business name, logo) can solidify the brand’s image early on. This will help consumers identify the brand and keep production costs low. Once all decisions have been made, tracking costs for production and marketing will be easier. Essential oil bottles and caps can be bought in bulk quantities for a much lower price than individually.
Tracking costs during production, for shipping, and for marketing will help make pricing essential oils easier. Without tracking expenses, many vendors start out operating at a loss and things can quickly go downhill from there.
Another important decision to make concerning the sale of essential oils involves the quantities in which the oils will be sold. Many oil producers prefer to only sell individual bottles but there is a lot of interest in essential oil sets. If the product line will be sold as a set, it is important to keep bottles uniform in both size, shape, and color. Mismatched sets can look unprofessional and may be a turn off for the consumer.
It is also important to have the proper inventory on hand to fulfill sales. Having an adequate inventory of bottles and caps will ensure oils can be produced and shipped in a reasonable amount of time. Customers may not return if they have to wait too long for their purchases. Buying essential oil bottles and printed labels in bulk can provide adequate inventory for on-time shipments. It is also important to consider how much oils can be produced in a certain period of time to ensure all orders can be completed and shipped in a reasonable amount of time.
Branding is a critical part of selling any product. Consider the effort going into national brands easily recognizable thanks to television commercials, silly jingles, and attention-grabbing packaging. Even though an essential oil business may start out small, the right branding and marketing plan can immediately set one product apart from the others.
Once the essential oil bottle has been chosen, additional packaging materials need to be considered. Labels should contain the required information for essential oils including but not limited to:
It is important to note essential oils are highly flammable. It is important for labels to convey this information to the consumer. Essential oils should never be stored near sources of excessive heat, fire, or flames. Proper storage of the oils is important to protect the product and to prevent accidents. Consumers should also be advised to keep oils out of the direct sunlight to prevent deterioration of the product.
In addition to the required information, designing the bottle label with a signature style will help build a brand. Some essential oil businesses may opt for a bright, showing design style while others create a more modern, clean-looking design. Ideally, the product being sold is a reflection of the person making it. Adding a bit of personality and style can immediately set products apart from the others in the marketplace. Buying bottles which come pre-printed with the labels already attached can speed up production time and lessen the amount of work needing to be done prior to shipment.
The marketing process for essential oils is a commitment. No one can expect to make a lot of sales without constant advertising. There are a lot of ways to get the word out about an essential oil business and many of them don’t require a large financial investment.
Here are some bonus tips for marketing an essential oil business:
There are many ways an essential oils business can gather attention in the marketplace. Whether the goal is to achieve larger, international sales or satisfaction through a small group of loyal customers, bottling and selling essential oils has the potential to become a successful venture.
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Whether you call them essential oil rollers, aromatherapy rollers, roller balls, perfume rollers, or some other descriptor, this roller bottle packaging guide has the handmade entrepreneur covered!
In this post, we’ll discuss what rollers are used for, the variety of options you have for bottles and tops, labeling options, and creating a memorable unboxing experience for your customers.
Regardless of whether you’re just now starting out on your business journey or have a booming seasoned business and you are looking to expand your product line, this guide will be a keeper!
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links (at no cost to you). Please read the disclosure for more information.
To put it simply, roller bottles are used to apply an oil-based product to the skin.
Also known as aromatherapy rollers, this type of product is used to deliver essential oils to the body in natural carrier oils.
Most of the time, this is to support the body’s wellness when dealing with things like stress, headaches, tension, sleep troubles, fatigue, etc.
Also known as perfume oils, roller bottles are a type of scent applicator to apply fragrance that is diluted in oil rather than the alcohol-base that traditional spray perfumes are in (ethyl alcohol, ethanol).
For thinner lip conditioning or lip gloss recipes, roller bottles are used just like a lip balm tube and used directly on the lips to apply oils and/or pigment.
The type of roller bottle you choose for your business one hundred percent depends on the product you have inside and your skin care target market.
If you have not yet done the homework to uncover your ideal customer, do your target market research first.
After that, invest the time into discovering:
This will influence the look of the bottle you choose below and all other business-building details.
The standard size of roller bottle is 10 mL (about 1/3 of an ounce) and is generally a smooth glass bottle.
Amber is the safest bet for products that include essential oils (to protect the oils from oxidizing).
However, you’ll see many other choices, ranging from clear glass rollers to dramatic matte black rollers.
see glass roller bottlesThough less common, you can find roller bottles in smaller sizes, such as this 5 mL version, or even this miniature 2 mL version.
Most customers are used to the larger 10mL size, so make sure this size difference is clearly photographed and noted in your product description.
see 5mL glass rollersIf you have a luxury line and your customer base doesn’t mind paying more for sustainable details, consider a roller that has a bamboo exterior shell.
Similar in feel, if you don’t want the entire bottle wrapped in bamboo, you can opt for a glass roller that features a bamboo cap for an eco-friendly detail.
see bamboo rollersLast but not least, you also have the option of getting bottles that are shaped differently, such as this long, narrow roller bottle version.
These are unique and have a specific vibe that says ‘luxury’ and ‘feminine’.
Note that the label template links provided further down in this post will not work on this size bottle.
see thin 10mL rollersWhen you are purchasing your roller bottles, pay attention to the rollerball that comes with it. Customers tend to be partial to certain materials – keep in mind that roller balls can also be purchased separately to create a mix-and-match branding experience.
Plastic rollers are the lowest in price, so they may seem appealing.
However, plastics degrade when used with essential oils, so these would only be suitable for carrier oils or fragrance oils (check with your ingredient supplier on this).
Plastic balls have been noted to not roll onto the skin as easily as other options.
see plastic roller ballsShould it suit your target market, roller balls now come in a gemstone version, though they tend to be pricey.
You can get bottles that are filled with gemstones plus a matching ball, or you can opt to purchase your bottle elsewhere and simply purchase the gemstone roller balls separately.
see gemstone roller ballsStainless steel roller balls have the best consistency, application, and are more readily available than other materials.
These metal rollers can also be purchased separately if you are swapping out a different roller type or purchasing the bottles in bulk elsewhere.
see stainless steel roller ballsIf you choose to sell your roller bottle products online versus in person through a physical store, be aware of different labeling regulations based on your location.
When selling in a physical location may need to include a manufacturing address and contact information on the label.
However, if you sell your rollers online, you can include a website URL in place of this information, as long as your website provides contact information and an address.
It is crucial to note that labeling requirements differ depending on government regulations and location. As a seller, it is your responsibility to acquire this information and follow the regulations accordingly.
Makers in the United States can refer to the FDA Cosmetics Labeling Guide.
It is important to clarify here that in order to keep your roller bottles in compliance with the FDA, you will need to name it, describe it, and label it using language that keeps it under the ‘cosmetic’ category.
Marie Gale also has an easy-to-follow book called Soap and Cosmetic Labeling (How to Follow the Rules and Regs Explained in Plain English).
Once you know the rules and regulations for your specific location, you can take the exciting step in your roller bottle packaging of designing your labels!
I already mentioned it once above, but if you haven’t already established the visual branding details for your skin care business, you need to have the following nailed down before you start designing your labels:
Once you have your branding basics, the easiest online graphic design tool to use is Canva (currently free to use for the basic elements).
You can also get a month of Canva Pro free here to access the entire library of images, the resize feature, and background remover.
If label design is not your favorite part of entrepreneurship, you have options!
There are tons of pre-made roller bottle label templates available to you, individually and in bundles.
Templates are useful for new business owners with a ton on their plate, as well as seasoned makers who simply want to skip past the ‘blank canvas’ aspect of design.
Here is an example of a grid roller bottle label template that is editable in Canva and comes with three beginning color choices (that can be changed as shown here):
Planning to add more items to your line?
The following bundle includes eight other product types (does not include rollers) to help you keep the same branded look if purchasing the roller templates linked above:
See our Skin Care Label Template Bundles here.
Choosing a plastic-coated label for roller bottle products is the best choice for a variety of reasons, but perhaps the most significant is that it helps to keep oily stains off of the label.
Roller blends typically have a carrier oil base, which can transfer to the label after application or the occasional leak in transit.
The protective plastic coating can additionally safeguard crucial information, including the roller blend’s name and ingredient list, guaranteeing that customers are well-informed about your product.
Using a tamper-evident closure to seal your products is essential whether you’re selling them online or in person.
This important detail not only gives your customers a sense of security and trust but also enhances your business’s professional image.
Safety sealing with shrink wrap is the most common option for roller bottle packaging.
Shrink wrap is a thin plastic that fits loosely over your roller bottle and shrinks down to the size of the product with the help of a craft heat gun.
see shrink wrap for 10mL bottlesYou can still add fun, creative details to your roller bottle packaging even with the ‘less exciting’ professionalism of shrink wrap.
Connect your bottle to the cap with flair such as washi tape to provide a handmade (yet still classy) look.
Consider using these across all of your product packaging for brand consistency.
see washi tape setIn my own product packaging, I put washi tape on my roller bottle first and apply the product label over the top:
The way your customers feel when they first open your package can be a game-changer for online sales. It could be the reason they leave glowing reviews, tell their friends about your awesome products, or share your business on social media.
Don’t miss out on the chance to make a lasting impression and boost your brand’s memorability and shareability with your roller bottle packaging. Give your customers an unboxing experience that stays imprinted on their memory!
Sheer organza favor bags are a very affordable way to make your customers feel like they’re receiving a gift, even if they purchased it for themselves.
Make sure to check the dimensions of your bottles, as they come in a large variety of sizes (and colors!).
Bonus tip: Get a size that will fix several of your product types and purchase organza bags in bulk.
organza favor bagsCotton muslin bags always go over well with the sustainable crowd, but they’re also great for stamping your logo!
Watch your sizing on these also – available in teeny tiny to large and in charge!
Bonus tip: Yet again, if you know this will be a win, consider purchasing cotton bags in bulk for several of your product offerings for brand consistency.
see cotton muslin bags hereSquare jewelry boxes (3.5″ x 3.5″) are the perfect fit for roller bottles, and a great option for singles and gift sets (fits up to (5) 10mL rollers in one box).
Kraft jewelry boxes specifically are great to stamp your logo onto or apply a branded sticker (see below).
Purchase jewelry boxes in bulk for holiday wrapping or luxury everyday packaging.
kraft jewelry boxesGetting a branding stamp with your logo for your biz is super helpful.
Use it on your cotton muslin bags, kraft jewelry boxes, the outside of your shipping boxes, and even thank you notes and other promos.
I have purchased several from West and Sage on Etsy and LOVE them (and the shop owner, Kelly – she’s the best).
business branding stampCustomize your boxes with branded logo stickers if the stamp doesn’t align with your branding.
You can purchase them in bulk and affix them to the exterior of your packaging. Additionally, consider including additional stickers for your customers to attach to your business thank you notes and business cards.
Don’t limit yourself to just your logo – get creative and incorporate a fun graphic, quote, or inspiring message with your URL on the side.
branded stickersSince roller bottles are made out of glass, you need a way to protect them while they’re in transit to your customer.
Crinkle cut filler is my personal favorite, as it comes in many different colors to match any branding.
I always buy my packaging filler in bulk, because it never goes bad and is one item we’ll always need as e-commerce entrepreneurs.
crinkle cut fillerWant ideas on improving your roller bottle packaging?
Need feedback on a roller bottle label design or unboxing choice before purchasing?
Look for help generating ideas for a unique roller bottle target audience?
Ask for input and share feedback in our private Facebook group, DIY Skin Biz Community – connect with other makers in our industry!
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