Private Label Shisha Charcoal: Your Brand on Ready-Stock Coconut Charcoal from Our Magelang Factory
Private label shisha charcoal is a manufacturing arrangement in which our Magelang factory packs its ready-stock coconut shell charcoal briquettes into your own branded inner boxes and master cartons. Minimum order is one full container, minimum print run is 5 tons per design, and printing is the only lead-time component because the charcoal is already in stock.
Shoot: Stack of printed private label master cartons beside pallets of shisha charcoal
pl-branded-cartons-heroHow the program works
A private label order moves through nine steps. Because the charcoal is already in stock, the calendar is set by artwork approval and printing. Week numbers are counted from the day we receive your brief and are indicative.
- Brief (Week 0) — You send box sizes, piece counts, carton format, target market and your logo or brand guidelines.
- Dieline (Week 0–1) — We send print-ready dielines for each inner box and master carton.
- Digital proof (Week 1) — Your artwork is placed on the dieline and returned as a PDF proof for written approval.
- Branded sample (Week 1–2) — A sample box with your design is produced and sent for sign-off.
- Proforma invoice (Week 2) — Issued by PT Hookah Coals Coconut Charcoal Indonesia; the 50% deposit starts the print run.
- Print (2–3 weeks) — Inner boxes and master cartons are printed with your brand.
- Packing from ready stock (3–5 days) — Charcoal is packed from stock into the printed packaging.
- DG booking (7–10 days before loading) — The container is booked as UN 1361 CARBON, Class 4.2, with the carrier's dangerous goods desk.
- Sailing (Week 5, indicative) — After the 50% balance, the container is loaded and sails from the Port of Semarang (Tanjung Emas).
Shoot: Export desk staff reviewing a packaging proof with a customer on a video call
pl-proof-review-callFilm: about 90 seconds. Dieline to printed boxes, packing branded cartons from ready stock, pallets to the container. Use a mock brand or a client-approved design.
pl-branded-runA private label run, start to container
A private label order followed from dieline and print to branded cartons packed from ready stock and loaded.
Why ready stock changes the timeline
In a made-to-order model, the factory produces the charcoal and only then packs it, so production time and print time are added together. Here the charcoal is already carbonized, pressed, dried and held in the warehouse while your packaging is printed. The two no longer run one after the other: printing is the only wait.
Reorders are faster still. Once your first design is approved, the print plates and dielines stay on file, so a repeat order skips the dieline, proof and sample steps and goes straight to the proforma invoice and print. First-order printing takes 2–3 weeks from artwork approval; reorder printing takes 1–2 weeks. Packing takes 3–5 days, with sailing indicatively in week 5 from the brief.
Shoot: Pallets wrapped and labelled with brand name and carton counts before loading
pl-labelled-palletsPackaging you can brand
Every inner box and master carton carries your brand. The 250 g box specification is confirmed below. Other dimensions and finishes are agreed on the dieline before printing.
Shoot: Printed box sheets coming off the press at the packaging printer
pl-printing-press| Format | Dimensions | Print method | Lamination | Minimum per design | Lead-time contribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inner box 250 g | 80 × 60 × 70 mm | Offset 4-colour | Matte | 5 t | Within the 2–3 week print run |
| Inner box 500 g | [confirm] | [confirm] | [confirm] | 5 t | Within the 2–3 week print run |
| Inner box 1 kg | 105 × 80 × 157 mm (cube 25); 110 × 110 × 110 mm (cube 26) | [confirm] | [confirm] | 5 t | Within the 2–3 week print run |
| Master carton 10 kg | [confirm] | [confirm] | [confirm] | 5 t | Within the 2–3 week print run |
| Master carton 20 kg | [confirm] | [confirm] | [confirm] | 5 t | Within the 2–3 week print run |
Shoot: Single branded inner box of shisha charcoal with the lid open on a neutral background
pl-branded-sample-boxShoot: Stacked master cartons printed with a customer brand, labels facing the camera
pl-carton-stackDieline and artwork requirements
Artwork is placed on our dieline, not drawn from scratch, so the box folds and closes correctly. Files that meet these requirements move to proof without rework.
- Bleed: 3 mm beyond the cut line on every panel.
- Safe zone: keep text and logos 5 mm inside the cut and fold lines.
- Mandatory panels: net weight, "Made in Indonesia", usage and safety text, and a clear space for the barcode. Check destination labelling rules with your importer of record.
- File formats: Adobe Illustrator (AI) or print-ready PDF, in CMYK, with fonts outlined and images at print resolution.
- Proof approval: production starts only after you approve the digital proof and branded sample in writing.
Shoot: Printed dieline for a shisha charcoal inner box laid flat with fold lines marked
pl-dieline-flatShoot: Colour proof sheet of a branded charcoal box held against the printed final box
pl-colour-proofDesigns per container
Each print design needs a minimum run, so the container payload sets how many designs fit. A design means one box artwork for one size.
Shoot: Three pallets with three different brand designs ready for one 20 ft container
pl-three-designs| Container | Payload | Minimum per design | Maximum designs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20' | 18–19.5 t | 5 t | Up to 3 |
| 40' | 25–26 t | 5 t | Up to 5 |
Example splits
- 20' (18 t): 26 mm in 2 designs of 6 t each + 25 mm in 1 design of 6 t.
- 20' (19 t): 26 mm in 1 design of 9 t + 25 mm in 1 design of 5 t + 25 mm in 1 design of 5 t.
- 40' (25 t): 26 mm in 3 designs of 5 t each + 25 mm in 1 design of 5 t + 26 mm in 1 design of 5 t.
What private label adds per box and per container
Branding adds a one-time setup cost per design and a running print cost per box. The line items are below; indicative figures are confirmed by the owner and finalized on the proforma invoice.
| Line item | Amount | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Print setup per design | USD 80 | One-time per design |
| Print plates per design | USD 120 | One-time; kept on file for reorders |
| Printed inner box | USD 0.08–0.12 per box | Per box |
| Printed master carton | From USD 0.06 per carton | Per carton |
| Typical added cost per container | USD 1,500–2,500 per 20' | Depends on box size and number of designs |
Figures are illustrative and dated; the proforma invoice is binding.
White label vs private label
Both put a buyer's name on factory charcoal; they differ in who owns the design. We work in private label only.
| White label | Private label | |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Generic packaging with your name or sticker added | Your own artwork, box sizes and carton format |
| Cost | Lower setup; no plates | Setup and plates per design |
| Speed | Fastest — stock packaging | 2–3 weeks of printing after artwork approval |
| Minimums | Varies by supplier | 5 t per design, one full container |
| Best for | Testing a market with little brand investment | Building a brand you own and can register |
Protecting your brand
- NDA: we sign a non-disclosure agreement covering your artwork, pricing and customer details on request.
- Trademark: register your brand name in each sales market before launch; registration in your name is your responsibility.
- Artwork ownership: artwork and designs you supply remain yours; we use them only for your orders.
- Exclusivity: your design is never printed for another buyer. Exclusivity on a size or market is negotiable against committed volumes; ask for written terms.
Starting a hookah charcoal brand
A container is a significant commitment for a new brand. Before ordering, confirm you can sell 18–26 tons within your cash-flow window, that you have a licensed importer of record, and that your market's labelling and registration rules are known. Many new brands start with one 20' container in two or three designs.
First-container budget checklist
- Charcoal, FOB Semarang (see indicative pricing on the products page)
- Print setup and plates per design
- Ocean freight as dangerous goods, Class 4.2
- Marine insurance
- Import duty and VAT at destination — written broker quote
- Customs broker, port and terminal fees
- Inland delivery and warehousing
- Trademark registration
- Product registration or conformity certificates where your market requires them
- Marketing and samples for your first customers
OEM FAQ
What is the minimum per design?
5 tons per print design, inside a minimum order of one full 20' or 40' container. That allows up to 3 designs in a 20' and up to 5 in a 40'.
Who owns the artwork?
You do. Artwork and designs you supply remain yours, and we use them only for your orders.
Can I get exclusivity?
Your design is never printed for another buyer. Exclusivity on a size or territory is negotiable against committed volumes and is agreed in writing.
What is the lead time?
First-order printing takes 2–3 weeks from artwork approval; reorder printing takes 1–2 weeks. Packing takes 3–5 days. Sailing is indicatively in week 5 from the brief.
Can I get a sample box with my logo?
Yes. A branded sample costs USD 150 per design and is produced after proof approval so you can check print and fit before the full run.