Looking to start a private label sunglasses brand? You may think the niche is saturated, but it isn’t. In fact, there’s a long way to go and tons of unique designs just waiting to be developed!

I’ve done the research for you, and found all the links you need to succeed. Let’s take a look at the products, suppliers, strategies, and packaging ideas out there.

But first… this post combines two separate TikTok shorts I’ve done over the past 6 months in this niche. That alone should tell you the niche is burning for new ideas. Here’s the first part: my latest TikTok short, and you’ll find the second part at the start of the Product Development Guide down below.

 

@orenmeetsworld

Excellent factories to launch your own sunglasses #ecommercetips #fashionbrand #sunglassbrand #factories #ecommercebusiness @orenmeetsworld #greenscreen

♬ Black Out Days – Future Islands Remix (Slowed) – Phantogram & xxtristanxo & Slowed Radio

Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect in this post:

• Why You Should Create a Private Label Sunglasses Brand
• Things to Consider When Choosing Your Sunglasses Factory
• 4 Private Label Sunglasses Factories to Launch Your Own Sunglasses Brand
• Launching a Private Label Sunglasses Brand: Essential Product Development Guide
• • Research Your Favorite Sunglasses Brand
  • Find a Factory for Your Sunglasses Brand
  • Product Approaches to Starting Your Own Sunglass Brand
  • Top Tips to Customize Your Private Label Sunglasses Brand
  • Packaging Options for Private Label Sunglasses
  • Logistics and Fulfillment Issues to Consider in a Sunglasses Brand
• Final thoughts in Starting Your Own Sunglasses Brand

 

Let’s do this…

 

Why You Should Create a Private Label Sunglasses Brand

Sunglasses are a great product to have in your repertoire, whether your brand sells something else entirely, it’s a fashion brand, or you want to do something specifically in sunglasses. Sunglasses are an easy item you can add to your brand or corporate merchandise, and are always a welcome gift.

There are a lot of sunglass factories out there with tons of different styles to choose from. If those styles do end up getting popular, you can adapt your style and make it your own again. 

 

NOTE TO THE READER:

I was going to change sunglasses every time I change in this video but I don’t have the attention span for that

 

Things to Consider When Choosing Your Sunglasses Factory

These are acetate sunglasses, made in China.

 

 

This particular style is pretty easy to mimic. You take any style you see from a vendor, and minorly adapt them by either: 

• changing the background or pattern
• adding a different hinge or nose piece
• changing the lens piece slightly to make it your own, and 
• ensuring you have a way to differentiate it in style or fit or benefits.

 

 

This is the cost of the acetate sunglasses above so you can see just how much margin there is in starting a private label sunglasses brand. In adapting your product, you’ll want to look at things like adding polarized or anti-fog lenses. Also, ensuring your sunglasses are of high quality so they sell well is quite important.

Considering this baseline cost may go up by a few bucks before you actually order, I’d just go ahead and ask any vendor you liaise with to make sure you get the highest quality version they offer. At the end of the day, your return on investment will make sure it ends up being worth a couple of extra dollars initially. 

 

4 Private Label Sunglasses Factories to Launch Your Own Sunglasses Brand

These are my top 4 choices for private label sunglasses vendors.

 

Factory 1: Taizou Three Hippos Glasses Co., Ltd.

This is the vendor I’ve used the most. They have a 4.9 store rating, 99% on time delivery, and over 1,000,000 transactions to North America.

 

 

This is a great supplier for Alibaba. You can see a wide variety of styles, still at those low price points that you can use as a base.

 

Factory 2: Wenzhou Zhiheng Glasses Co., Ltd.

Moving on to another good option you can have in your repertoire, as well.

 

 

This vendor has these super-fun, kind of vintage, bike-inspired sunglasses, as well. Some weirder styles (in case you’re trying to get odd/rare/truly bespoke designs out there).

 

Factory 3: Wenzhou Lenlook International Trade Co., Ltd.

Your 3rd option has some more basics.

 

 

It is a little bit more expensive, but definitely worthy of a look.

 

Factory 4: Moscot

Overall, private label sunglasses is a super-competitive market but this is a great add-on product to apply your own patterns or looks to. It can complement your existing brand and it’s also a low-cost start.

 

 

If you’re considering selling your own products, getting a hundred sunglasses that showcase your customized designs aren’t going to cost you that much to test the waters in e-commerce.

 

Launching a Private Label Sunglasses Brand: Essential Product Development Guide

If you’re on Instagram, you’ve seen sunglass brands ads selling for $40-80 a pair. The secret? They cost about $3-10.

Add:

• $5 shipping
• $2 packaging

That’s $25-65 profit each, and they’re selling THOUSANDS monthly.

Here’s how to develop your own…

 

Step 1: Research Your Favorite Sunglasses Brand

First things first, order your favorite brand’s pair online. Write down EVERYTHING about the experience:

• ecommerce
• shipping and updates
• instructions and content
• unboxing and wear
• carrying around

Note everything they’ve considered and what you think could be done better.

 

 

Step 2: Find a Factory for Your Sunglasses Brand

Next thing to do is find a private label sunglasses factory. Use Alibaba, and search for vendors with:

• fast response times
• high on-time delivery
• hundreds of thousands in transactions
• an inspection from Alibaba

That’s going to ensure you have someone legit. Here’s an example of good and great.

 

 

Step 3: Product Approaches to Consider When Starting a Sunglasses Brand

If you’re looking for inspiration on designs, check these brands:

• Moscot
• Akila
• Oliver Peoples
• District Vision
• Thierry Lasry
• Gentle Monster

 

 

Let’s break down a few different product approaches with relevant factors:

• sports performance
• trendy styles
• basics

Sporting sunglasses is a great opportunity for brands.

Anti-fog sporting sunglasses is also a great opportunity for niche sports – make a specific brand for golf, biking, running, pickleball, etc. Really, wherever you have a passion or see a need not being filled.

 

Step 4: Compare and Align Factories to Your Product Brief

Back in step 1, you made notes about features, usability, colors, etc. Use these links and breakdowns to refine your selection, based on those choices made.

 

Factory: Wenzhou Zhiheng Glasses Co., Ltd.

• Around $4.80 a pair, 100 minimum.
• You can get the nicest version of these with cases and great customization for about $15.

 

 

I would recommend really going all out like this on the nicest of everything and trying to go over $100 in price point, but that’s just me 😉

 Tangent-type goggles for about $20.

 

 

• Alter the shape.
• Find the right reflective pattern.
• Get the perfect strap.

… Interesting opportunity. Resorts could crush with these handy.

 

 

The key to success with any of these is to do OEM (custom). Take one of these existing designs and modify them to be perfect for what you think will succeed. 

• Change the measurements and the colors, and do multiple samples.

 

 

 

Unrelated, here for this surrealist factory ad.

 

 

A fantastic option if you have an existing following is to brand hip styles. I’ve got a great factory that takes current hot looks and offers customization/logos.

 

Factory: Taizhou Three Hippos Glasses Co., Ltd

They start at about $1.20 a pair and you customize at 100 units.

Some current men’s styles at less than $2 with an MoQ of 300 pairs for custom

 

 

There are factories that specialize just in women’s and men’s contemporary styles:

• Do minor adjustments.
• Add new patterns.
• Start from a great spot.

 

 

Big winner if you have an existing audience.

 

Factory: Wenzhou Lenlook International Trade Co., Ltd.

• There’s also classic basics with good polarization that will run you $2.50 or so.
• Matte and transparent options are easy differentiators.

Selling basics is ultra-competitive, but this is a great category for giveaways or corporate merch.

 

 

You’ll also find plenty of designer bootlegs.

The trick with these vendors is to ask them for the nicest, highest quality versions they can make, and apply your own changes.

 

 

They’re not a long term fit though. If they bootleg others… they’ll probably bootleg you.

 

Step 4: Customizing Your Private Label Sunglasses Brand

Make sure to customize your product! Some quick ideas:

• Unique color schemes (matte, pastels, gradients, patterns, marble)
• Unique materials (bamboo, coatings, reflective etc)

Also decide where you want to live on the value scale…

 

It's a golden age for selling your own products.

The Good, Better, Best framework helps you price and position to win 👇🏼

— Oren John (@orenmeetsworld) April 19, 2022

RECOMMENDED READING:

Ready to start a sunglasses brand?

Read Understanding Good-Better-Best Pricing for Products

 

Step 5: Packaging Options for Private Label Sunglasses

Next you’re going to move on to packaging. Ask your vendor if they will wrap and box your product with a custom item. This is a cheaper option than domestic.

• Almost all of them will have a bunch of box and case options. 
• Sturdy, unique and transportable are differentiators!

 

 

Here’s how to manage your packaging needs:

• Get a “dieline” to design the print on your packaging. Use a real designer to make it stand out (helps with unboxing videos).
• Get a sample of your package sent to you via air.
• Make sure the packaging is sturdy enough to not get damaged in transit.

Now head back to the list you made when ordering your favorite brand in the development stage. Think through if your packaging, box experience, carrying, etc. matches up with the experience you’ve gotten from an existing brand.

This is a key exercise to constantly refer to as it helps prevent details from getting lost.

 

Step 6: Logistics and Fulfillment Issues to Consider

Once you’re ordering your product, we hit logistics. 

Too much product for your house? You need a 3PL (third party logistics) or FC (fulfillment center) partner. Here’s my comprehensive list:

Best 3rd Party Logistics for CPG Businesses

 

Final thoughts in Starting Your Own Sunglasses Brand

When it comes to e-commerce there’s 100 quality followers on Twitter that can juice you up with great info.

I will say, in this niche in particular, photography is a huge part of what can make the product stand out when selling online. Moscot crushes this.

Check out some sample pics below:

 

 

The next 18 months are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a brand on Tik Tok.

• Pick up niche opportunities as big companies struggle in the economic downturn.
• Utilize the global economy through Alibaba to get enough margin to really give it a shot.
• Don’t sleep on this!

 

Start a private label sunglasses brand now!

 

Thanks for reading. I regularly break down sourcing and developing different products to 5,000+ entrepreneurs on my Product People newsletter. You should join me there.

– Oren

 

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