Short answer
Unit price in eye care is the sum of formula, substrate, packaging, tooling amortisation, testing and freight. The formula is often the smallest of the six — which surprises buyers who assume an expensive active is what drives cost.
Substrate is usually the biggest variable for patches and masks: hydrogel, bio-cellulose, non-woven and silicone differ substantially in cost and carry different MOQs. Packaging is typically second, and tooling amortisation is what makes small runs disproportionately expensive — the same mould costs the same whether you make 3,000 or 30,000 units.
The levers that actually move the number, in order: quantity (spreads tooling and setup), packaging choice (stock versus custom), substrate grade, then formula. Reducing active levels to save cost is usually the worst trade, because it undermines the claim that justifies the price.
Side-by-side comparison
| Cost component | What drives it | Typical leverage |
|---|---|---|
| Substrate | Hydrogel, bio-cellulose, non-woven or silicone; grade and thickness | High |
| Packaging | Stock jar or pouch versus custom mould, print finishes, outer box | High |
| Tooling amortisation | Moulds, dies and print plates spread over the run | High at low volume |
| Formula | Active grade and dosage, stock versus new development | Medium |
| Testing and compliance | Stability, microbiology, market documentation, third-party tests | Medium |
| Freight | Air versus sea, destination, product classification | Medium |
| Labour and overhead | Line time, filling complexity, manual packing steps | Low–medium |
When to choose which (and when not to)
| To reduce unit cost | Works? | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Increase order quantity | Yes — strongest lever | More inventory and cash tied up |
| Use stock packaging | Yes — strong | Less differentiation |
| Change substrate grade | Yes | Texture and performance change |
| Simplify print finishes | Yes | Shelf impact reduces |
| Reduce active levels | Technically yes | Undermines the claim — not advised |
| Remove testing steps | No | Creates compliance and safety risk |
| Switch to sea freight | Yes | Adds weeks to the timeline |
Frequently asked questions
Why is a small run so much more expensive per unit?
Tooling, setup and changeover costs are fixed. Spread over 3,000 units they are significant per unit; over 30,000 they are minor.
Is there a standard price list?
No. Unit price depends on formula, substrate, packaging and print, so it is quoted per specification. A flat list would have to assume the cheapest version of everything.
Does a custom formula always cost more?
Usually, because of development and testing, but at volume the per-unit difference can be small. The bigger difference is upfront cost and timeline, not unit cost.
How do I compare two suppliers' prices fairly?
Same formula, same substrate, same packaging, same quantity, same compliance scope. Most apparent price gaps are specification gaps.
Formulating an eye-care product?
Send your target market, dosage form and estimated quantity — we reply with formulation advice, MOQ tiers, compliance notes and samples.
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EyeOEM · Eye-Care OEM/ODM R&D & Manufacturing · 2026-09-11 · sales@eyeoem.com