Formulation Process | Phases, Timelines & Deliverables | Manufacturing Health Solutions

The Formulation Process — Clear Phases, Real Deliverables

Formulation doesn’t need to feel mysterious. At MHS we run a structured, production-focused process that takes your idea from intake to a production-ready sample — with clear steps, timelines, and outputs.

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What you can expect

This page explains the exact phases we follow during formulation: Intake (your inputs), Development (technical build + production optimisation), and Sample Approval (finalising the sample and moving to production).

Designed for: startups and growing brands developing food-type supplements and non-TGA cosmetics. We keep the process structured so you can plan timelines, budgets, and launch decisions with confidence.

Timeline snapshot

  • Intake phase: 1–2 weeks
  • Development phase: 3–4 weeks
  • Sample approval: shipping + approval window
  • Outcome: approved sample → production order

Phase 1: Intake

Purpose: collect your vision, format, and functional requirements so we can fully capture the scope.

Duration: 1–2 weeks. Client input: we actively encourage input and use an extensive intake form to reduce ambiguity early.

Intake deliverables (Steps 1–4)

  1. Intake form — structured capture of vision, form, function, constraints, and priorities
  2. Desktop review — feasibility and pathway assessment based on your goals and format
  3. Requests for information — we ask targeted follow-ups to remove unknowns early
  4. Brief of development plan — a clear plan of what happens next

How to move faster

  • Bring examples of products you like (format, taste, texture, packaging)
  • Clarify your “must-haves” vs “nice-to-haves”
  • Share any ingredient preferences or exclusions early
  • Be clear on target audience and any sensitivities

Phase 2: Development

Purpose: our formulation and production team work together to develop the functional elements of the final product.

Duration: 3–4 weeks. Client input: during this phase the project scope is locked. Client-initiated scope changes are billed at an hourly formulation rate as an extra cost to the project.

Development deliverables (Steps 5–8)

  1. Formulation development — technical and functional formulation built for production
  2. Production optimisation — adjustments for manufacturability, repeatability, and line fit
  3. Sample manufacturing — producing the development sample to evaluate performance
  4. Sensory development — sensory/flavour refinement supported by specialist partners (where applicable)
Scope lock matters: it’s how we protect timeline, cost control, and a clean path to production. If you think you’ll need multiple variations (e.g., multiple flavours, formats, or claim directions), tell us in Intake.

What “production-focused” means

  • Designed to be repeatable at batch scale
  • Optimised for real equipment and process constraints
  • Built to reduce surprises at first production run
  • Documented so reorders are smoother

Phase 3: Sample Approval

Purpose: once the production sample has been finalised by our sensory development partners (where applicable), we coordinate shipping of the completed sample for your approval.

Sample approval deliverables (Steps 9–10)

  1. Sample approval — you review and approve the sample for production
  2. Production order — we proceed into scheduling and manufacturing
Best practice: plan your packaging artwork and component ordering in parallel, so once the sample is approved you can move into production without delays.

What happens after approval

  • Confirm production schedule and lead time
  • Lock packaging components and print timelines
  • Manufacture, QA, packaging, batch coding
  • Dispatch or transition into 3PL/fulfilment

Ready to turn your idea into a real product?

If you want a clear pathway, real deliverables, and a process designed for manufacturing — we’re ready. Send your concept and we’ll advise the next step.

Start with Intake

Prefer to start with a services overview? Visit Formulation.

Related services: Formulation · Supplement manufacturing · Cosmetic manufacturing · 3PL & fulfilment

Frequently Asked Questions

Intake typically takes 1–2 weeks, and Development typically takes 3–4 weeks. Sample Approval timing depends on shipping and feedback windows. We’ll confirm timing during Intake once the scope is clear.

The best time for input is during Intake — we actively encourage it and our intake form is designed to capture scope properly. During Development, scope is locked to protect timeline and cost control.

During Development the project scope is locked. Client-initiated changes to scope are billed at an hourly formulation rate as an extra cost to the project.

Once you approve the sample, we move into the Production Order stage — scheduling, materials and packaging coordination, manufacturing, QA, and dispatch (or transition into 3PL).