The global vape market is projected to exceed $263 billion by 2036, and for entrepreneurs and business operators looking to capture a share of that growth, launching a proprietary vape brand has never been more accessible. The OEM and ODM manufacturing ecosystem — centered largely in Shenzhen, China — has matured to the point where a motivated business can go from concept to market-ready product in a matter of weeks, with minimum order quantities that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. But accessibility does not mean simplicity. Building a successful vape brand requires navigating product design, regulatory compliance, supply chain management, and market positioning. This guide breaks down the complete process.
Understanding OEM vs. ODM
Before diving into the process, it is important to clarify the distinction between the two manufacturing models:
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) means the manufacturer produces products to your exact specifications. You provide the design, formulations, and engineering requirements, and the factory executes your blueprint. This model is ideal for businesses with established product concepts and technical expertise.
ODM (Original Design Manufacturing) means the manufacturer provides the base product design and engineering, and you customize specific elements — typically branding, packaging, flavor profiles, and cosmetic features. This model is ideal for businesses entering the market without extensive product development resources, as you leverage the manufacturer’s existing R&D and production capabilities.
Most new vape brand launches in 2026 use a hybrid approach: ODM for the core device hardware and OEM for custom e-liquid formulations and packaging design.
Step 1: Define Your Market and Product Strategy
Before approaching any manufacturer, you need clarity on three fundamental questions:
Who is your customer? Are you targeting price-sensitive consumers in emerging markets, premium-seeking users in established markets, or a specific niche such as TPD-compliant EU products or high-puff disposables for the Middle East? Your target market determines everything from device specifications to packaging design.
What product category fits your brand? The current market offers several distinct product categories, each with different cost structures, regulatory requirements, and competitive dynamics: disposable vapes (600 to 20,000 puffs), refillable pod systems, modular platform devices, and bottled e-liquids. New brands often find the most traction starting with disposable products — they are simpler to manufacture, easier to market, and have the broadest consumer appeal.
What is your regulatory landscape? Different markets impose wildly different requirements. EU member states require full TPD compliance, including 2ml capacity limits, 20mg/ml nicotine caps, child-resistant packaging, and extensive health warning labels. The UK is adding an excise tax of £2.20 per 10ml starting October 2026, with duty stamps becoming mandatory by April 2027. Middle Eastern markets may have different capacity limits and labeling requirements. Understanding your regulatory obligations upfront prevents costly reformulations and packaging redesigns later.
Step 2: Choose the Right Manufacturing Partner
This is the most critical decision in the entire process. Your manufacturer is not just a supplier — they are your production partner, quality assurance provider, and often your primary source of regulatory guidance. Here is what to evaluate:
Certifications and Quality Systems. Look for ISO 9001-certified facilities with documented quality control processes. Ask about their testing protocols for battery safety, e-liquid purity, coil consistency, and packaging integrity. A reputable manufacturer will welcome quality audits and provide transparent documentation.
Production Capacity and Flexibility. Your manufacturer should be able to scale with your brand. Early-stage brands may start with minimum orders of 100 to 500 units, but you need confidence that the factory can handle volume growth without quality degradation. Ask about their monthly production capacity and lead times at different order volumes.
R&D and Customization Capabilities. The best OEM/ODM partners offer more than assembly-line production. They provide custom flavor development, device engineering support, packaging design services, and regulatory compliance consultation. These value-added services are what differentiate a true manufacturing partner from a basic contract manufacturer.
Supply Chain Transparency. In an era of increasing regulatory scrutiny on product traceability — especially with the EU’s anticipated TPD 3 supply chain tracking requirements — your manufacturer must be able to provide full documentation of component sourcing, production batches, and quality testing records.
Track Record and References. Ask for case studies or references from other brands they have worked with. A manufacturer that has successfully launched products across multiple international markets demonstrates both capability and reliability.
Step 3: Product Development and Customization
Once you have selected your manufacturing partner, the product development process typically follows this sequence:
Flavor Development. Work with your manufacturer’s flavor lab to develop custom e-liquid profiles that match your brand positioning and target market preferences. Current market trends show strong demand for fruit-forward profiles (mango, passion fruit, berry blends), menthol and ice variants, and emerging categories like tropical and dessert-inspired formulations. Nicotine salt formulations dominate the disposable and pod system categories, while freebase liquids remain relevant for higher-capacity refillable devices.
Device Selection and Customization. Choose your base device platform from the manufacturer’s existing catalog, then customize cosmetic elements such as color schemes, surface finishes, LED indicators, and branding placement. For more advanced customization, you may invest in custom molds for unique device shapes — though this requires higher minimum orders and longer lead times.
Packaging Design. Your packaging is your brand’s first impression. Invest in professional packaging design that communicates quality, complies with your target market’s labeling requirements (health warnings, ingredient lists, nicotine content declarations), and stands out on retail shelves. Many manufacturers offer in-house design services or work with your external design team.
Sample Confirmation. Before committing to mass production, always request and thoroughly test production samples. Verify device performance (puff count consistency, battery life, flavor quality), packaging durability, and labeling accuracy. This is your last opportunity to catch issues before they scale.
Step 4: Regulatory Compliance and Certification
Depending on your target markets, you may need one or more of the following:
- TPD notification and compliance documentation for EU markets
- TRPR compliance for the UK market
- Child-resistant packaging certification
- Battery safety testing (UN38.3 for lithium batteries, CE marking)
- Material safety data sheets for e-liquid formulations
- Product liability insurance
Your manufacturing partner should be able to guide you through the specific requirements for your target markets and may offer compliance documentation as part of their service package.
Step 5: Production, Shipping, and Launch
Once samples are approved and regulatory documentation is in order, mass production typically takes two to four weeks depending on order complexity and volume. Most Shenzhen-based manufacturers offer international shipping via DHL, FedEx, or UPS with delivery in five to seven business days.
For your launch, plan your marketing strategy well in advance. Build anticipation with your retail partners, prepare product education materials for your sales team, and ensure your online presence — website, social media, product photography — is ready to support the launch.
The VAPEURS OEM/ODM Advantage
VAPEURS offers a complete OEM/ODM service designed specifically for entrepreneurs and businesses launching their own vape brands. Based in Shenzhen with over a decade of manufacturing expertise, we provide end-to-end support across every stage of the brand development process.
Our capabilities include custom flavor development, device engineering, packaging design, regulatory compliance consultation, and full production services with minimum orders as low as 100 pieces per flavor or 500 units for OEM projects. Every product is manufactured in our ISO 9001-certified facility with comprehensive quality testing and full supply chain traceability.
Our seven-step OEM process — from initial consultation through design, sample confirmation, mass production, shipping, and after-sales support — is designed to make brand launching as accessible and straightforward as possible, regardless of your prior industry experience.
Ready to build your brand? Contact our OEM/ODM team at info@vapeurs.com to start the conversation.
This article is intended for business professionals and entrepreneurs interested in entering the vape industry. VAPEURS products contain nicotine, which is an addictive substance. Products are intended for adult use only (21+).