If you are thinking about changing your lash supplier, you do not need to prepare a complicated RFQ before contacting a new manufacturer.
The most useful first step is to show the new manufacturer exactly what you are currently selling and explain what you want to keep, change or improve.
For most lash projects, a few clear photos, basic product information, an estimated order quantity and—when possible—a physical sample are enough to begin evaluating whether a new supplier can support the project.
What Should I Send First?
If you are contacting a new lash manufacturer for the first time, start with the information you already have.
You can send:
- photos of your current lash product
- photos of the tray and packaging
- the product category
- the number of styles or SKUs
- your estimated order quantity
- your logo or existing packaging artwork if relevant
- the country where the products are sold
- what you want the new supplier to match or improve
You do not need to know every technical specification before making contact.
Should I Send Photos of My Current Lashes?
Yes.
Clear product photos are one of the easiest ways to begin the discussion.
Try to provide several views when possible:
- full tray photo
- close-up of the lash fibers
- side view if the curl is important
- photo of the lash band or cluster base
- photo of the complete retail packaging
Photos help the manufacturer understand the general product direction before deciding which existing products or sample options may be suitable.
Is a Physical Sample Better Than Photos?
Yes, especially if you want the new product to be as close as possible to what you currently sell.
A physical sample can show details that are difficult to judge from photos alone, such as:
- softness
- fiber appearance
- density
- curl balance
- band structure
- cluster base
- tray fit
- overall feel and construction
If your current product is performing well and you mainly want to change the supplier, sending a physical reference sample can make the evaluation more efficient.
Can a New Manufacturer Match My Current Lash Product?
A new manufacturer can evaluate your current product and develop samples in a similar direction.
However, changing manufacturers does not automatically guarantee that every material, process and detail will be identical.
The correct approach is to compare samples before making a decision.
The goal may be:
- to stay as close as possible to the current product
- to improve one specific detail
- to keep the visual style while changing packaging
- to improve consistency or presentation
Tell the new manufacturer which parts of the current product are most important to you.
What Product Specifications Should I Provide?
If you know the specifications, send them.
Depending on the product, useful information may include:
- lash type
- style or mapping
- length direction
- curl
- thickness
- color
- band or base structure
- tray format
But if you do not know the exact technical specifications, you can still contact the manufacturer.
Your existing product, photos and reference sample can be used to start the discussion.
Should I Explain Why I Want to Change Suppliers?
You do not need to share confidential information about your current supplier.
However, it is useful to explain what problem you want the new supplier to solve.
For example:
- product quality is inconsistent
- the supplier cannot support a new product direction
- communication is too slow
- packaging options are limited
- you want a second manufacturing source
- you want to improve the current product
This helps the new manufacturer understand what matters most during sample development.
Do I Need to Share My Current Supplier’s Name?
No.
A new manufacturer usually does not need to know the identity of your current supplier in order to evaluate the product.
The important information is the product itself, your requirements and the result you want to achieve.
Should I Send My Existing Packaging Too?
Yes, if you want to keep a similar packaging format or continue using the same brand presentation.
You can send:
- photos of the current box
- box dimensions if available
- tray photos
- logo files
- artwork files
- barcode or SKU layout requirements
If you want to redesign the packaging, tell the manufacturer which elements should stay and which can change.
Can I Keep My Current Brand While Changing Manufacturers?
Yes.
Changing the manufacturer does not mean you need to change your brand identity.
Your logo, brand colors, product names and packaging direction can remain consistent while the product is evaluated with a new supplier.
If your current custom packaging still needs to be reproduced, the packaging structure and artwork should be checked against the new product and tray before production.
How Many Products Should I Send Information For?
If you have many SKUs, you do not always need to start by testing the entire range.
You can begin with a few important or representative products.
For example:
- your best-selling style
- the product with the biggest quality problem
- one product from each major category
- a product you expect to reorder soon
This can make the first supplier evaluation easier to manage.
Should I Tell the New Manufacturer My Estimated Order Quantity?
Yes.
An estimated quantity helps the manufacturer understand the project and determine which production and packaging options may be appropriate.
You do not need to provide an exact final order immediately.
A practical estimate is enough to begin, such as:
- estimated quantity per style
- number of SKUs
- whether this is a test order or regular supply project
The final quantity can be confirmed later after the product and sample direction are clear.
What If I Want the New Supplier to Improve the Product?
Do not simply say that you want a “better” product.
Explain what you want to improve.
For example:
- softer appearance
- different density
- more natural styling
- different band structure
- better tray presentation
- different packaging
Specific feedback makes sample development much more useful.
Do I Need to Stop Ordering from My Current Supplier Before Testing a New One?
No.
If you are evaluating a replacement supplier, it is usually more practical to test the new manufacturer’s samples first.
You can compare the new sample with your current product before deciding whether the new supplier is suitable.
Read more: How Can I Switch Lash Suppliers Without Changing My Existing Products?
What Should I Compare When the New Samples Arrive?
The comparison should focus on the details that matter to your existing customers and brand.
Depending on the product, this may include:
- overall appearance
- style and density
- curl
- softness
- band or base structure
- tray presentation
- packaging fit
- consistency between pieces
If one detail is different, give specific feedback before moving forward.
What If My Current Supplier Has Become Unreliable?
If the reason for changing suppliers is reliability rather than product design, the replacement process should still begin with product matching and sample confirmation.
The new supplier needs to understand both the current product and the issues you want to avoid.
Read: My Lash Supplier Is Becoming Unreliable. How Do I Switch Without Disrupting My Orders?
A Simple First Message to a New Lash Manufacturer
You do not need to prepare a long purchasing document.
A first inquiry can be as simple as:
“We already sell this lash product and are looking for a new supplier. Here are photos of our current product and packaging. We would like to keep the overall style similar. Our estimated quantity is ___ per style. Can you evaluate it and let us know what sample options you can provide?”
If the manufacturer needs more information, the remaining specifications can be confirmed step by step.
Looking for a New Lash Supplier?
Pingdu Lashes works with beauty brands that are developing new products as well as brands evaluating replacement or additional lash suppliers.
If you already have an existing lash product, you can send us:
- current product photos
- packaging photos
- reference samples
- estimated quantity
- number of styles
- details you want to keep or improve
We can then review the product direction and discuss suitable samples before you make a supplier decision.
Visit our Custom Lash Services page or contact us with your current product information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I send when contacting a new lash supplier?
Start with photos of your current product and packaging, your estimated quantity, the number of styles and any specifications you know. A physical sample is especially useful when you want the new product to closely match your current one.
Can I contact a new manufacturer if I do not know all the lash specifications?
Yes. You can begin with photos or a physical reference product. Exact specifications can be discussed during the sample evaluation process.
Can a new lash manufacturer copy my existing product exactly?
A manufacturer can evaluate and develop a similar product direction, but materials and production processes may differ. Physical samples should be compared before making a supplier decision.
Do I need to tell the new manufacturer who my current supplier is?
No. The identity of the existing supplier is generally not necessary. The new manufacturer mainly needs to understand the product, your requirements and the result you want.
Should I send my current lash product to the new manufacturer?
If close product matching is important, a physical reference sample is usually more useful than photos alone because it allows the manufacturer to evaluate more product details.
