Lipstick Cases: Two Mould Families, Metallising and the Feel Test

We hold two case families — a standard 12.1 mm mechanism and a slim 11 mm — and finish them in-house.

The page covers mechanism options, finishes, MOQ and the one spec buyers forget: the closing click.

The Mechanism Is Not the Differentiator

Almost every lipstick uses a twisted cam mechanism. What buyers notice is the weight, the sound at the end of travel, and whether the bullet wobbles.

A thicker wall adds 4–6 g and changes the price by a few cents — usually the cheapest upgrade in the whole pack.

Finishes and What They Cost in MOQ

Spray coat and soft-touch run from 3,000 pcs. Metallising starts at 5,000 because parts are racked and vacuum-coated in batches. Hot stamp on the sleeve is quoted per artwork.

Soft-touch looks premium and shows fingerprints; metallising looks expensive and shows scratches. Both should be tested with the actual carton before approval.

What to Send

Bullet diameter, fill weight, finish, and whether the case needs a window or a logo. A physical sample of the pack you are matching shortens the process more than a drawing.

Questions We Get on This Format

What is the MOQ for a custom-colour lipstick case?

3,000 pcs for spray coat or soft-touch; 5,000 for metallising.

Can you match an existing case?

If it uses a standard mechanism, yes. A proprietary mechanism needs a new tool and 5,000+ pcs.

Do you fill the lipstick?

No — we supply the case and mechanism; filling stays with the cosmetics manufacturer.