In the water based lubricant industry, the fundamental logic for a new product's success is "superior tactile experience." However, for brands, developing a new formula often requires significant time and effort, sometimes costing tens of thousands in R&D fees. How to leverage OEM resources to achieve low-cost or even zero-cost trial and error through "free sampling" is a skill every smart product manager must master.
The essence of free sampling lies in leveraging the factory's extensive "formula database." Professional OEM factories typically have thousands of market-validated mature formulas, covering all dimensions such as water based lubricant, silicone-based, fruity flavors, and warming sensations. Brands only need to specify their target audience (e.g., sensitive skin or frequent users) and request samples with different viscosities and pH values from the factory. This way, brands can obtain multiple mature formulas for internal testing within days without paying R&D costs. This rapid iteration capability allows brands to eliminate formulas with poor feel, stickiness, or volatility before mass production, greatly reducing the risk of negative reviews after launch.
In addition, free samples help determine the best packaging experience. Excellent factories offer combination samples of various packaging types, such as medical syringes, pump bottles, or portable pouches. By comparing physical samples, brands can more intuitively assess the impact of packaging materials on product premium. Combining "free samples" with "small batch customization," brands can quickly enter niche markets at minimal cost and efficiently identify truly potential bestsellers.
