Views: 0 Author: Matt Publish Time: 2026-02-04 Origin: Site
Launching an eyewear brand can feel overwhelming when you're faced with industry jargon like OEM, ODM, and private label. What's the difference? Which model gives you the best margins? How much do you need to invest upfront? And most importantly—which option is right for your specific business situation?
These aren't just academic questions. Your choice between OEM glasses frames and private label eyewear wholesale determines your startup costs, inventory risk, product exclusivity, time to market, and ultimately, your profit margins.
This guide cuts through the confusion and gives you a clear framework for making the right manufacturing decision based on where you are in your business journey. Whether you're testing your first eyewear concept with $2,000 or scaling a proven brand with $50,000, you'll find your path here.
Before we dive into comparisons, let's clarify what each term actually means in the eyewear industry.
Definition: You select existing frame designs from a manufacturer's catalog and add your brand name/logo. The manufacturer has already designed and tooled these frames.
Simple Analogy: It's like buying a generic product from Costco and putting your store label on it. The product itself is the same, but the branding is yours.
What You Get:
· Pre-designed frames (no design work needed)
· Existing molds and tooling (no mold costs)
· Faster production (frames are already in production)
· Your custom logo/branding
· Your custom packaging (optional)
What You Don't Get:
· Exclusive designs (other brands may use the same frames)
· Design control (you choose from available options only)
· Design patents or IP ownership
Definition: The manufacturer produces frames according to YOUR custom specifications and designs. You provide the design, and they manufacture it.
Simple Analogy: You're the architect who designs the house. The manufacturer is the construction company that builds it exactly to your blueprints.
What You Get:
· 100% custom designs you create or commission
· Full design control (materials, colors, dimensions, features)
· Potential for exclusivity (depends on contract terms)
· Your branding integrated into the design itself
What You Don't Get:
· Pre-made samples (you pay for prototypes)
· Quick turnaround (custom design takes time)
· Low initial costs (you pay for mold creation)
Definition: The manufacturer designs frames for you based on your requirements, then produces them. It's a hybrid approach.
Simple Analogy: You hire an architect (the manufacturer's design team) to create a custom house design for you, then they also build it.
What You Get:
· Professional design services from manufacturer
· Custom frames tailored to your brand concept
· Technical expertise (they know what works)
· Semi-exclusive designs (depends on contract)
What You Don't Get:
· Full creative control (it's collaborative)
· Guaranteed exclusivity (may be offered to others later)
· The cheapest option (design services cost money)
Important Note: Many people confuse OEM and ODM. The key difference is who does the design work:
· OEM: You design, they manufacture
· ODM: They design AND manufacture for you
Private label eyewear is the most accessible entry point for new brands and retailers looking to add eyewear to their product mix without massive upfront investment.
1. Browse the Catalog: The manufacturer shows you their existing frame designs (usually 50-500+ styles)
2. Select Your Styles: You choose which frames fit your brand aesthetic
3. Add Your Branding: Your logo is applied via laser engraving or printing
4. Customize Packaging (Optional): Add branded cases, cloths, boxes
5. Place Your Order: Minimum quantities are usually lower than OEM
6. Receive & Sell: Frames arrive ready to sell with your brand name
Ideal Candidates:
✅ First-time eyewear entrepreneurs testing the market with limited capital
✅ Optical retailers wanting to add a house brand alongside name brands
✅ E-commerce sellers needing fast inventory turnover with low risk
✅ Fashion brands adding eyewear as a category extension without design expertise
✅ Influencers/content creators launching limited eyewear collections
✅ Distributors building a branded line for specific markets
Specific Scenarios:
· You have $3,000-$10,000 to start
· You want to launch within 30-45 days
· You don't have eyewear design experience
· You're testing customer demand before heavy investment
· You want to offer multiple styles without huge inventory costs
Initial Investment:
Minimum Viable Launch (5 styles × 100 pieces each = 500 total units):
· Frame cost: $8-15 × 500 = $4,000-7,500
· Logo customization: $0.40 × 500 = $200
· Basic packaging: $0.50 × 500 = $250
· Shipping (air freight): $1,200-2,000
· Total: $5,650-9,950
Premium Launch (10 styles × 200 pieces each = 2,000 units):
· Frame cost: $12-20 × 2,000 = $24,000-40,000
· Logo + premium packaging: $1.50 × 2,000 = $3,000
· Shipping: $3,000-5,000
· Total: $30,000-48,000
Ongoing Costs:
· Reorders: Same per-unit costs (no additional setup fees)
· New styles: Just logo setup if design is new to you
Timeline:
Phase | Duration |
Catalog review & selection | 3-7 days |
Logo application setup | 3-5 days |
Production | 15-25 days |
Shipping (air) | 5-7 days |
Customs clearance | 2-5 days |
Total Time to Market | 30-45 days |
Advantages:
✅ Lowest upfront investment – No mold fees or design costs
✅ Fastest time to market – Launch in 4-6 weeks
✅ Lowest risk – Test the market before heavy commitment
✅ Lower MOQ – Often 100-300 pieces total across multiple styles
✅ Easy to scale – Add new styles from catalog as you grow
✅ No design expertise needed – Frames are pre-designed and proven
Disadvantages:
❌ No exclusivity – Competitors may sell identical frames with different branding
❌ Limited differentiation – Harder to command premium prices
❌ Design limitations – You're restricted to existing catalog options
❌ No IP ownership – You don't own the frame designs
❌ Potential brand conflicts – Same frames may appear under multiple brand names
Typical Economics:
· Your landed cost: $12 per frame (including logo, packaging, shipping)
· Wholesale to retailers: $30 (2.5x markup)
· Suggested retail price: $75 (2.5x their cost)
Your profit on wholesale: $18 per unit (150% margin) If selling direct-to-consumer: $63 per unit (525% margin) at $75 retail
Annual Revenue Potential (Example):
· Sell 5,000 frames/year at $30 wholesale
· Revenue: $150,000
· Cost of goods: $60,000
· Gross profit: $90,000 (60% margin)
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) eyewear is for brands that want complete design control and exclusivity. You're not selecting from a catalog—you're creating something entirely new.
1. Design Phase: You (or your designer) create frame designs with specifications
2. Prototype Development: Manufacturer creates samples based on your design
3. Iteration: You refine the design through multiple prototype rounds
4. Mold Creation: Once approved, manufacturer creates production molds
5. Production: Full manufacturing run begins
6. Quality Control: Inspection and approval
7. Delivery: Your exclusive frames arrive
Ideal Candidates:
✅ Established brands with proven market demand and capital
✅ Designer eyewear brands needing unique aesthetic identity
✅ Premium/luxury brands where exclusivity is essential
✅ Brands with design teams or partnerships with designers
✅ Companies protecting IP through design patents
✅ Brands requiring specific technical features not available in stock frames
Specific Scenarios:
· You have $20,000-100,000+ to invest in product development
· You have clear design vision and specifications
· You need frames that don't exist in the market
· You're building a premium brand commanding $150+ retail prices
· You want exclusive designs competitors can't copy
· You have experience in eyewear or fashion design
Initial Investment:
Small OEM Project (3 custom designs):
· Design development: $1,500-5,000 (if outsourced)
· Prototype samples (3 rounds × 3 designs): $1,200-2,500
· Mold creation (3 designs): $2,400-9,000
· First production run (300 pcs per design = 900 total): $10,800-18,000
· Logo, packaging, shipping: $3,000-5,000
· Total: $19,000-40,000
Professional OEM Launch (10 custom designs):
· Design development: $10,000-25,000
· Prototypes: $5,000-10,000
· Molds (10 designs): $8,000-30,000
· Production (500 pcs per design = 5,000 total): $60,000-125,000
· Premium packaging & branding: $15,000-25,000
· Shipping: $8,000-15,000
· Total: $106,000-230,000
Mold Costs Breakdown:
· Injection molds (plastic frames): $800-1,500 per design
· Acetate molds: $1,200-3,000 per design
· Metal frame tooling: $1,500-4,000 per design
· Complex multi-component designs: $3,000-8,000 per design
These are one-time costs. Future reorders don't require new molds unless you change the design.
Timeline:
Phase | Duration |
Design development | 2-4 weeks |
First prototype | 2-3 weeks |
Design iterations (2-3 rounds) | 4-6 weeks |
Final approval | 1 week |
Mold creation | 3-5 weeks |
Production | 4-6 weeks |
Shipping (air) | 1-2 weeks |
Total Time to Market | 4-6 months |
Advantages:
✅ Complete exclusivity – Designs are yours alone (with proper contract)
✅ Full creative control – Every detail matches your vision
✅ Brand differentiation – Unique frames justify premium pricing
✅ IP ownership potential – You can patent/trademark designs
✅ Competitive advantage – Impossible for competitors to replicate quickly
✅ Higher perceived value – Customers recognize and pay for originality
✅ Long-term brand building – Creates distinctive brand identity
Disadvantages:
❌ High upfront investment – $20,000-$200,000+ depending on scale
❌ Longer time to market – 4-6 months minimum
❌ Higher risk – Unproven designs may not sell well
❌ Design expertise required – Need knowledge of eyewear design/engineering
❌ Higher MOQ – Typically 300-1,200 pieces per design to justify molds
❌ Inventory commitment – Larger investment in untested products
Typical Economics:
· Your landed cost: $25 per frame (amortizing mold costs over 1,000 units)
· Wholesale to retailers: $75 (3x markup)
· Suggested retail price: $200 (2.67x their cost)
Your profit on wholesale: $50 per unit (200% margin) If selling direct-to-consumer: $175 per unit (700% margin) at $200 retail
Annual Revenue Potential (Example):
· Sell 3,000 frames/year at $75 wholesale
· Revenue: $225,000
· Cost of goods: $75,000
· Gross profit: $150,000 (67% margin)
The higher margins compensate for higher initial investment and slower inventory turnover.
ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) sits between private label and OEM, offering a balanced approach.
1. Brief the Manufacturer: You explain your brand concept, target market, price point
2. Design Proposal: Their design team creates frame concepts for you
3. Refinement: You collaborate to adjust designs
4. Sampling: They produce prototypes
5. Production: Manufacturing of semi-custom designs
Cost: Higher than private label (design fees apply), lower than pure OEM (they handle design) Time: 2-3 months (faster than OEM, slower than private label) MOQ: Medium (200-600 pieces per design)
Best For:
· Brands wanting custom designs without in-house design capability
· Companies needing technical expertise in frame engineering
· Businesses seeking semi-exclusivity at moderate cost
Factor | Private Label | ODM | OEM |
Design Source | Existing catalog | Manufacturer designs for you | You design |
Exclusivity | None (shared with others) | Semi-exclusive (contractual) | Full exclusivity |
Minimum Order Qty | 100-300 pieces total | 200-600 pcs/design | 300-1,200 pcs/design |
Initial Investment | $5,000-15,000 | $15,000-50,000 | $20,000-200,000+ |
Mold/Tooling Costs | $0 (pre-existing) | $800-3,000/design | $800-8,000/design |
Design Costs | $0 | $500-3,000/design | $1,000-10,000+ (if outsourced) |
Lead Time | 30-45 days | 60-90 days | 120-180 days |
Per-Unit Cost | $8-20 | $12-30 | $15-50+ |
Customization Level | Logo & packaging only | Moderate (colors, materials, details) | Complete control |
Design Expertise Needed | None | Minimal (collaborative) | High |
IP Ownership | No | Negotiable | Yes (with proper contract) |
Market Testing Risk | Low | Medium | High |
Brand Differentiation | Low | Medium | High |
Suitable Retail Price | $30-100 | $75-200 | $150-500+ |
Reorder Flexibility | Very easy (no setup) | Easy (existing molds) | Easy (existing molds) |
Time to Add New Styles | 30 days | 60 days | 120+ days |
Your manufacturing choice should align with where you are in your business journey. Here's a strategic framework:
Your Situation:
· First-time eyewear entrepreneur
· Limited capital ($3,000-15,000)
· Unproven market demand
· No existing customer base
· Need to validate product-market fit
Recommended Approach: Private Label
Why:
✅ Minimize financial risk while testing demand
✅ Launch quickly to get customer feedback
✅ Learn the eyewear business without heavy commitment
✅ Test multiple styles to see what sells
✅ Build cash flow before investing in custom designs
Action Plan:
1. Select 5-8 styles from manufacturer catalog that fit your brand aesthetic
2. Order minimum quantities (100-200 pieces total)
3. Focus budget on branding, packaging, and marketing
4. Track which styles sell fastest
5. Use early revenue to fund inventory expansion or OEM development
Success Metric: Achieve 80%+ sell-through on first order within 6 months
Your Situation:
· Proven concept with repeat customers
· Growing social media following or retail accounts
· $15,000-50,000 available for product investment
· Understanding of what your customers want
· Ready to differentiate from competitors
Recommended Approach: Private Label + ODM Hybrid
Why:
✅ Maintain cash flow with proven private label best-sellers
✅ Begin differentiating with semi-custom ODM pieces
✅ Test custom designs without full OEM commitment
✅ Reduce inventory risk while building brand identity
Action Plan:
1. Continue stocking your 3-5 best-selling private label frames
2. Introduce 2-3 ODM designs that reflect your unique brand aesthetic
3. Use customer feedback on ODM pieces to inform future full OEM
4. Gradually increase ODM percentage as sales prove demand
5. Build capital reserves for eventual OEM transition
Success Metric: ODM designs achieve 20-30% higher margins than private label
Your Situation:
· Established brand with loyal customer base
· Multiple sales channels (DTC + wholesale)
· $50,000-150,000 product development budget
· Clear brand identity and aesthetic
· Competitors copying your style
· Ready for complete differentiation
Recommended Approach: Transition to Full OEM
Why:
✅ Protect brand identity with exclusive designs
✅ Command premium prices justified by uniqueness
✅ Build defensible competitive moat
✅ Own intellectual property
✅ Create signature styles associated with your brand
Action Plan:
1. Hire or partner with eyewear designer
2. Develop 5-10 signature OEM designs representing your brand DNA
3. Maintain 2-3 private label staples during transition
4. Phase out non-exclusive inventory as OEM launches
5. Invest in storytelling around custom design process
6. Apply for design patents on distinctive frames
Success Metric: 70%+ of revenue from exclusive OEM designs within 18 months
Your Situation:
· Well-known brand in target market
· Strong wholesale distribution or DTC following
· Significant capital for R&D
· In-house design capability
· Seeking to dominate niche or expand category
Recommended Approach: 100% OEM + Seasonal Innovation
Why:
✅ Complete control over brand narrative
✅ Ability to charge true premium prices ($200-500+)
✅ Launch seasonal collections like fashion brands
✅ Collaborate with designers/influencers on limited editions
✅ Explore advanced materials and technologies
Action Plan:
1. Develop signature "core collection" (8-12 evergreen OEM designs)
2. Launch seasonal/limited releases (4-6 new designs twice yearly)
3. Explore collaborations and capsule collections
4. Invest in unique materials (wood, titanium, carbon fiber)
5. Consider vertical integration (own molds, partial manufacturing)
Success Metric: Brand recognition driving 40%+ premium over category average
Recommendation: Start Private Label, scale into OEM
Rationale:
· DTC margins support eventual OEM investment
· Can test designs through social media before committing
· Lower MOQ acceptable since you're not wholesaling
· Build email list and community before exclusive designs
Timeline: 12-18 months private label → transition to OEM
Recommendation: Private Label (permanent strategy)
Rationale:
· Primary business is eye exams and lens sales, not frames
· Need variety without huge inventory investment
· Customers come for service, not exclusive frame designs
· Private label provides margin improvement over name brands
Strategy: Position private label as "value line" at $99-150 retail
Recommendation: OEM or High-Level ODM
Rationale:
· Existing brand identity demands consistency
· Customers expect distinctive designs aligned with fashion line
· Budget usually available from core business
· Can leverage existing distribution channels
Timeline: 6-9 months development → launch with marketing push
Recommendation: Private Label for launch, OEM for Series 2
Rationale:
· Test market demand quickly (audience may not actually buy)
· Minimize risk if collection doesn't perform
· Fast launch capitalizes on current relevance
· Success funds exclusive OEM designs
Timeline: Private label in 45 days → assess after 6 months → OEM if successful
Regardless of which model you choose, factor in these often-overlooked expenses:
· Third-party QC: $300-800 per order
· Returns/defects: Budget 2-5% of order value
· CE/FDA certifications: $500-2,000 per frame design
· Drop testing for impact resistance: $200-500 per design
· Regulatory consultant: $1,500-5,000 for initial setup
· Product photography: $50-200 per frame style
· Lifestyle shoot: $2,000-10,000
· Website development: $3,000-15,000
· Social media content creation: $500-3,000/month
· Warehouse storage: $200-1,000/month
· Inventory management software: $50-300/month
· Insurance: 1-2% of inventory value annually
· Return shipping: 5-15% of sales
· Replacement units: 2-5% of sales
· Customer service tools: $50-200/month
Protect yourself regardless of manufacturing model:
Must-Have Clauses:
· Minimum quality standards with refund/replacement terms
· Delivery timeline commitments with penalties
· Payment terms (typically 30% deposit, 70% before shipping)
· Clear logo application specifications
· Packaging requirements
Critical Protections:
· Exclusivity clause: Manufacturer cannot sell your designs to others
· IP ownership: You own molds, designs, and tooling (or buy them at production end)
· Non-compete: Manufacturer won't produce substantially similar designs
· MOQ commitments: Agreed minimum orders for specified period
· Mold ownership: Who owns molds after contract ends
· Tooling refund: If relationship ends, can you buy molds at depreciated value
Red Flags:
· Manufacturer refuses exclusivity
· Vague language around design ownership
· No clear intellectual property assignment
· Requiring you to purchase minimum quantities without quality guarantees
Brand: Coastal-inspired sunglasses brand Path: Private Label → OEM transition after 18 months
Timeline:
· Month 1-6: Launched with 8 private label styles, $8,000 investment
· Month 6-12: Identified 3 best-sellers, revenue $95,000
· Month 12-18: Developed 5 ODM semi-custom designs, revenue $220,000
· Month 18-24: Full OEM launch with 10 exclusive designs
· Year 3: 100% OEM, revenue $850,000
Key Insight: Private label cash flow funded OEM development without external investment
Brand: Independent optical store in suburban area Path: Private Label (ongoing strategy)
Approach:
· Offers private label "house brand" at $89-129 retail
· 12 styles rotated seasonally
· Positions as "premium value" alternative to $200+ designer frames
· 40% of frame sales now private label
· Margins 25% higher than designer frames
Key Insight: Private label doesn't mean inferior – positioned correctly, it's profitable and customer-satisfying
Brand: Premium sustainable fashion brand adding eyewear Path: OEM exclusive designs from launch
Investment:
· $85,000 initial (design, molds, 1,000 units)
· Launched with 6 signature designs
· Retail pricing: $225-285
· Sold through own boutiques + wholesale
Results:
· Year 1: $380,000 revenue (high sell-through due to brand loyalty)
· Year 2: Added 4 new OEM designs, $720,000 revenue
· Strong brand coherence across fashion + eyewear
Key Insight: Existing brand equity + sufficient capital = OEM works from start
Problem: Burning through capital on unproven designs Solution: Validate market demand with private label first unless you have deep pockets
Problem: Quality issues, missed deadlines, poor communication Solution: Prioritize reliability, communication, and quality over lowest price
Problem: Your "custom" OEM frames appear under competitors' brands Solution: Always get exclusivity in writing before paying for molds
Problem: Running out of money mid-production Solution: Budget 30% above estimates for unexpected costs
Problem: Inventory spread too thin, cash tied up in slow-sellers Solution: Start with 5-8 core styles, expand based on sales data
Problem: Great frames in cheap packaging = perceived as low quality Solution: Allocate 15-20% of budget to premium packaging and branding
Use this checklist to determine your best path:
Choose Private Label If:
· Your budget is under $15,000
· You need to launch within 60 days
· You're testing market demand for the first time
· You don't have eyewear design experience
· You want to offer multiple styles quickly
· You're comfortable with non-exclusive designs
Choose ODM If:
· Your budget is $15,000-50,000
· You want semi-custom designs
· You need design expertise you don't have in-house
· You're willing to wait 60-90 days
· You want some differentiation without full OEM commitment
· You have proven demand but limited design resources
Choose OEM If:
· Your budget is $50,000+
· You have clear, specific design vision
· You need complete exclusivity
· You can wait 4-6 months for launch
· You're building a premium brand ($150+ retail)
· You have design capability or can hire designers
· You've validated market demand
Here's the truth: successful eyewear brands exist across all three manufacturing models. The "right" choice isn't about which model is objectively better—it's about which model aligns with your current resources, timeline, and business goals.
Quick Summary:
· Private Label: Fast, low-risk, accessible—perfect for testing and learning
· ODM: Balanced approach with moderate investment and semi-custom results
· OEM: Full control and exclusivity, but requires significant capital and patience
Many successful brands start with private label, prove the market, then graduate to OEM as they grow. This progressive approach minimizes risk while building toward full brand differentiation.
The most important thing? Start. Don't let perfect be the enemy of good. Launch with private label today rather than waiting years to save up for OEM. You can always evolve your manufacturing strategy as your business grows.
Still unsure which manufacturing model fits your specific situation? Every brand is unique, and the "right" answer depends on your particular circumstances.
Get a Free Consultation
Our eyewear manufacturing specialists will help you:
✅ Assess your budget and timeline realistically
✅ Review your brand concept and target market positioning
✅ Recommend the optimal manufacturing approach (Private Label / ODM / OEM)
✅ Provide detailed cost breakdowns for your specific needs
✅ Show sample collections matching your aesthetic
✅ Outline a step-by-step launch plan tailored to your resources
What to Prepare for Your Consultation:
1. Your approximate budget range
2. Target launch timeline
3. Brief description of your brand concept
4. Examples of frame styles you admire
5. Your target retail price point
Schedule Your Free Strategy Session
Whether you're investing $5,000 or $500,000, we'll give you an honest assessment of which path gives you the best chance of success. No pressure, no obligation—just expert guidance based on 15+ years in eyewear manufacturing.
Contact us today and let's build the right eyewear strategy for your brand.
