GMP Certified · FDA-Registered · USA-Based
Custom Capsule Manufacturing
Precision encapsulation at commercial scale — gelatin, vegan, and specialty shells.
150,000
Minimum capsules
per SKU
10-12 wks
Standard lead time
from receipt of payment
99.9%
Content uniformity
per USP <905>
Definition
What Is Custom Capsules Manufacturing?
Custom capsule manufacturing is the process of filling pre-formed gelatin or plant-based (HPMC or pullulan) shells with a precise measured dose of active ingredients — powders, beads, pellets, or liquids — to produce a finished dietary supplement in dosage form. The process is governed by 21 CFR Part 111 (cGMP) and requires third-party identity, potency, microbial, and heavy-metal testing before release.
Why brands choose capsules
Capsules are the most versatile and widely consumed solid-dose supplement format in the U.S. market. They mask bitter tastes effectively, enable precise milligram dosing, and support the broadest range of active ingredients. Capsule-based formulas also carry lower R&D risk for new product development.
Brand fit
Is capsules the right form for your brand?
$
Cost to make
Customer compliance
Why brands choose capsules
- ✓Low per-unit cost — the safest way to test a new formula without heavy financial risk
- ✓No flavor required — works for bitter or strong-tasting ingredients that gummies can't mask
- ✓Vegan HPMC option available for plant-based and clean-label brands
- ✓Efficient R&D cycle — gets your product to market quickly
Things to know before you commit
- →Fill weight cap (~800mg–1g per capsule) limits high-dose mineral formulas
- →Low consumer excitement — nobody looks forward to taking a capsule
Best fit
Performance brands, nootropics, botanicals, clean-label formulas, and any brand launching a first SKU with limited upfront budget.
May not be the right fit
Brands targeting mainstream lifestyle consumers who shop gummy-dominated categories like immune, sleep, or beauty.
Not sure which form is right for your brand?
Compare all four forms side by side →What We Produce
Capsules Types We Manufacture
Standard Gelatin
Most PopularBovine or porcine-derived. Sizes 000–4. Most economical option with widest ingredient compatibility.
Vegetarian HPMC
VeganHydroxypropyl methylcellulose. 100% plant-based. Suitable for vegan, halal, and kosher markets.
Pullulan
PremiumPremium plant-based shell with a superior oxygen barrier. Extends shelf life for botanicals and probiotics.
Enteric-Coated
SpecialtypH-dependent coating that bypasses the stomach and dissolves in the intestine. Required for sensitive enzymes and probiotics.
Capabilities
Capsules Manufacturing Specifications
Our facility is built for high-volume commercial production. Every specification below is verified in-process and confirmed by third-party laboratory testing before any lot is released.
Get a Custom Quote →| MOQ | 150,000 capsules per SKU |
| Available sizes | 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Shell materials | Gelatin, HPMC, Pullulan |
| Fill types | Powder, pellet, bead, liquid, semi-solid |
| Standard lead time | 10-12 weeks from receipt of payment |
| Testing standards | FTIR, HPLC, ICP-MS, USP microbial |
| Regulatory | cGMP 21 CFR Part 111, FDA-registered facility |
How It Works
The Capsules Manufacturing Process
From formula intake to certified finished product. Every step is documented, tested, and traceable — because your brand's reputation depends on it.
Formula Intake & R&D
Submit your target function, active ingredients, and volume goals. Our R&D team reviews your formula for ingredient synergy, regulatory compliance, and cost-per-bottle efficiency before committing to a pilot run.
Raw Material Sourcing & QC
We source every raw material from audited suppliers and verify identity and purity against the certificate of analysis using FTIR spectroscopy before any ingredient enters production.
Pilot Run & Approval
A pilot batch is produced at reduced scale to verify blend uniformity, fill weight accuracy, and finished-product appearance. You review and approve a physical sample before full-scale production begins.
Full-Scale Production
Your formula runs on our dedicated production line with continuous in-process quality controls: hardness/fill weight checks, content uniformity sampling, and environmental monitoring at defined intervals.
Third-Party Testing & Release
Products we manufacture are third-party tested, and Certificates of Analysis and batch records are available for your run.
What We Formulate
Top Capsules Formulation Categories
The supplement categories below represent the high-demand and profitable capsules-format products in the U.S. market. Our R&D team specializes in all of them.
Adaptogens & Botanicals
Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Berberine, Turmeric
Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamin D3, Magnesium, Zinc, B-Complex
Probiotics & Enzymes
Multi-strain probiotics, digestive enzyme blends
Sports & Performance
BCAAs, L-Carnitine, Creatine, Beta-Alanine
Cognitive & Nootropics
Lion's Mane, Bacopa, CDP-Choline, L-Theanine
Weight Management
Berberine, Forskolin, CLA, Green Coffee Extract
Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance for Your Custom Capsules Run
Products we manufacture are third-party tested, and Certificates of Analysis and batch records are available for your run.
| Capability | Private Label Express |
|---|---|
| GMP-certified | ✓ |
| FDA-registered facility | ✓ |
| Third-party tested | ✓ |
| Certificates of Analysis and batch records available for your run | ✓ |
| Help developing your formula | ✓ |
| Optional fulfillment | ✓ |
Robert De Lima
· Founder & CEO, Private Label ExpressWith a background in pharmaceutical manufacturing, Robert founded Private Label Express in 2010 to correct the transparency and reliability issues endemic to the dietary supplement contract manufacturing industry. He oversees formulation standards and quality systems across all production lines.
Fact-checked by Private Label Express Quality Review Board · Updated June 2026
Common Questions
Capsules Manufacturing — FAQ
Questions about our capsules manufacturing process, capabilities, and specifications.
What is the minimum order quantity for custom capsule manufacturing?+
What capsule shell types do you manufacture?+
How long does a custom capsule manufacturing run take?+
Do you manufacture vegan or vegetarian capsules?+
What certifications does your capsule manufacturing facility hold?+
Can you fill capsules with liquids or semi-solid fills?+
We make capsules through our dietary supplement contract manufacturing. If you ship 500 or more orders a month, our team can also store and ship your finished products through our supplement 3PL services.
Ready to Scale?
Start Your Custom Capsules Run
If you're an established brand-owner ready to scale your capsules line, our team will review your formula and volume goals and respond within one business day.
Minimum 150,000 capsules per SKU · Serious inquiries only · Founded 2010
Related reading: Custom probiotic manufacturing and fulfillment