How much does it cost to work with a contract manufacturer for the first time?

First-run costs typically include a setup or tooling fee ($500 to $5,000 depending on complexity), cost of goods per unit (highly variable by category and ingredient cost), and sample charges ($150 to $800 for a formal sample batch). Some CMs also charge an NDA or formulation review fee. On AJ Cosmo Labs, you can request quotes from multiple vetted manufacturers directly in the app and compare pricing before committing.