You’ve decided to launch a gummy vitamin. But you’re wondering: how long will it take from concept to shelf? Rushing can cause quality issues. Delays can hurt your market timing. This timeline breaks down every stage—from formulation to packaging—so you know what to expect and how to plan your launch smoothly.
Time to manufacture gummy vitamins varies depending on complexity, scale, and regulatory requirements. A basic private-label gummy may take 4–6 weeks from order to packaging. A custom gummy formulation could require 12–18 weeks, including R&D, stability testing, and design approvals. Production steps such as ingredient sourcing, cooking, molding, drying, coating, QC, and packaging each take time. Your total timeline depends on formula complexity, certifications, batch size, and factory scheduling.
Discover the full timeline of gummy vitamin manufacturing, from formulation to final packaging. Learn each step, estimate your project’s lead time, and explore how to streamline production for your private label supplement brand. This timeline clarifies each step. It helps you set accurate expectations and avoid surprises during production. Let’s walk through the process together.
1. How long does ingredient sourcing and formulation take?
This stage can take 1–4 weeks. A private-label brand uses stock formulas with pre-approved ingredients, so sourcing is fast. For custom gummies, you need to select gelling agents, sweeteners, colors, and actives. Labs then trial the formula. You may need 2–3 iterations to hit taste, texture, and potency goals. You also order Certificates of Analysis (COA) and check compliance with regulations like FDA, GMP, and allergen-free certifications.
Ingredient sourcing and initial formulation take 1–4 weeks depending on whether you use stock formulas or custom blends.
Custom formulations require deeper R&D. Labs conduct trials to ensure active ingredient stability during heat processing. If the formula includes heat-sensitive vitamins (like vitamin C or probiotics), extra care is needed. The process involves blending small test batches and adjusting base and sweeteners to optimize taste and consistency. Ingredient lead times also matter. High-purity vitamins may take 2–3 weeks to ship. If you work with exotic botanicals, sourcing may extend to 6 weeks. The lab process often runs concurrently with documentation preparation—COAs, raw material testing, and labeling compliance. For private-label clients, most of this is already done; brands simply approve finished samples and move ahead with ordering.
* Using stock formulas speeds production significantly.
* Custom blends may require 2–3 weeks of lab trials before full production.
2. How long do cooking and mixing require?
Once ingredients arrive and formulas are approved, the factory begins cooking. This step takes 1–3 days depending on batch and plant capacity.
Cooking and mixing the gummy slurry typically takes 1–3 days, including heating, blending, and testing for consistency.
Operators weigh ingredients, load them into cookers, heat to the target temperature (usually 90–110°C), and ensure homogenization. During cooking, gelatin or pectin is activated and mixed with sweeteners, vitamins, and acidifiers. Quality control staff take in-process samples to confirm viscosity, temperature, and active ingredient levels. Cooking large batches may require several hours per batch; small-scale production may cycle daily. After cooking, the slurry stays warm and ready for molding. Some plants use jacketed kettles with vacuum mixing to remove air bubbles. Modern gummy lines often have integrated cooking–depositing systems, which speed the process. Temperature sensors ensure sensitive actives remain stable. Once mixed, the slurry goes to depositor machines—this can happen immediately or next day depending on shift schedules.
* High-end equipment can combine cooking and dosing in hours.
* Slurry must be cooked, tested, and prepped before molding.
3. How long does molding and cooling take?
The molding phase lasts 1–3 days. It includes deposition into molds and cooling in controlled tunnels.
Molding, cooling, and demolding typically take 1–3 days depending on batch size and tunnel capacity.
In this step, the slurry is deposited into pre-chilled GMP-grade silicone or starch molds. Cooling tunnels drop temperature to around 18–25 °C to set the shape while avoiding moisture. Cooling speed depends on tunnel length and airflow. Once set, gummies are demolded or “jigged” into trays. Some manufacturers use air-knock systems; others shake molds. Demolding takes a few hours per batch. Factories often run multiple shifts, so continuous deposit–cool cycles can complete within one day for mid-size orders. Molding is sensitive: Too fast cooling may trap moisture; too slow may cause shape deformation. Precise conditions and lead time matter to maintain dosage consistency.
* Environmental control during cooling ensures uniform shape and dosage.
* Automated tunnels and multi-shift operations speed molding.
4. How long is drying and moisture control?
Drying is one of the longer steps and can take 2–7 days, depending on the formula and moisture tolerance.
Gummy drying typically spans 2–7 days to achieve the right water activity and shelf stability.
Drying removes excess moisture to a target water activity (<0.6 aw) that prevents microbial growth. For gelatin gummies, this may take 2–4 days at 18–22 °C and 30–40% humidity. Pectin-based and vegan gummies often require 5–7 days due to their moisture content. Compliance labs test water activity daily. If the level remains too high, drying continues; if too low, texture may over-harden. Drying is often the longest phase, as it ensures shelf life and texture. Some brands speed-dry batches under controlled airflow or use low-temperature convection chambers. However, too fast drying can lead to surface hardening while the center remains moist. Therefore, many gummy lines allocate up to a week for this phase, especially for large orders.
* Correct drying ensures shelf stability and prevents spoilage.
* Vegan/pectin gummies typically need 5–7 days of drying.
5. How long is coating, polishing, and QC?
Coating, polishing, and quality control usually takes 2–4 days after drying.
After drying, gummies are coated, polished, and tested—typically over a 2–4 day timeline.
Dried gummies go into polishing drums where coatings like wax or oil are applied to prevent stickiness and improve finish. Coating takes a day or two. Meanwhile, batches undergo quality checks for weight uniformity, appearance, moisture, and active potency. QC teams conduct random sampling, ensuring nutrient levels meet specifications. Certificates are issued for each batch. If any tests fail, that batch is rejected or reworked. Factories then label samples and prepare batch release documentation. This stage ensures compliance and product quality. With efficient workflow, this stage wraps in 3 days. Delays may occur if test results show deviations needing reprocessing.
* Polishing prevents clumping and improves aesthetics.
* QC testing and certification ensure compliance and safety.
6. How long does packaging and shipping take?
Packaging and shipping typically take 1–3 weeks, depending on materials and logistics.
The final step—packaging, labeling, and shipping—usually takes 1–3 weeks before your gummies are ready for sale.
Coated gummies are counted and bottle-filled using automated fillers. Labeling machines add compliance panels and branding labels. Filled bottles are capped, shrink-wrapped, and placed in cartons. After packaging, goods go into quarantine storage awaiting final QC sign-off. Shipping time depends on bottle and carton lead times and whether custom packaging or child-resistant caps are used. For plastic bottles, lead time is 1–2 weeks; for eco-pack or pouches, may take 3–4 weeks. Once packaging is complete, products ship via air (5–7 days) or sea (20–45 days), depending on your destination. For European or North American markets, air shipping simplifies customs but may add cost. Once goods arrive, brands use DDP terms to clear customs and receive the product. At a minimum, plan for 1–3 weeks post-packaging to warehouse or distribution center.
* Custom packaging can extend production by 1–2 weeks.
* Shipping timelines vary widely—plan accordingly.
Conclusion
The total manufacturing timeline ranges from 6–8 weeks for stock formulas to 16–20 weeks for custom gummy lines. You can speed things up by choosing stock formulas, local packaging, and air shipping. However, custom formulations with unique flavors, vegan bases, or certifications require more time and care. Building buffer time into your launch schedule is smart.
Timelines vary by formula complexity, certifications, volume, and logistics. Stock formulas can finish in about 8 weeks. Custom lines may take up to 20 weeks. Plan timelines carefully. Ask your manufacturer for a detailed project timeline. This will keep you on track and confident during production.
Why Choose Shandong Health Biotech for Gummy Vitamin Manufacturing?
Shandong Health Biotech is a trusted contract manufacturer specializing in premium gummy supplements. With six advanced production lines, we offer complete OEM/ODM solutions tailored to your needs—whether you want to launch a private-label gummy line or develop a custom formulation from scratch. We handle everything from formulation and ingredient sourcing to packaging and international shipping. Our facility meets international quality standards and provides full certification support, including GMP, ISO, and HACCP. Backed by over a decade of experience, we serve clients across Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe. If you’re seeking a reliable gummy vitamin manufacturer with flexible MOQs, stable lead times, and one-stop service, we’re here to help you grow your brand.
👉 Visit our website to learn more or contact us to get a free quote.
