Private label — also called OEM in Korea — means a Korean factory produces a product under your brand. It is the fastest way for importers, retailers and DTC brands to launch their own kimchi, sauces, snacks or ready meals without building a factory.
OEM vs. ODM
| Model | Recipe | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| OEM (your recipe) | You provide the recipe or target profile; the factory produces it. | Brands with a defined product |
| ODM (factory recipe) | The factory adapts one of its existing recipes and puts your label on it. | Fast launches, lower development cost |
Most first-time buyers start with ODM: choose an existing recipe, adjust spice, sweetness or salt, and change packaging.
Typical steps
- Brief — product, market, target price, volume, packaging.
- Factory matching — shortlist factories that already make this product type.
- Samples — one to three sample rounds to match taste and texture.
- Packaging & label — confirm format, artwork and label text for your market.
- Compliance check — ingredients, additives and certifications for the destination country.
- Pilot order — a first production run at or near the MOQ.
- Reorders — scale up with the same specification.
What affects MOQ
MOQ depends on the product and on packaging more than on the food itself. A factory may happily make a small sauce batch, but custom-printed pouches or bottles usually have their own minimums from the packaging supplier. Using stock packaging with a sticker label can lower the first order size considerably.
Timelines
A simple ODM project with stock packaging can move from samples to shipment in a matter of weeks; custom recipes and printed packaging take longer. The longest steps are usually sample rounds and packaging production, so start artwork early.