Softgels — the format for oil-active stacks and lipid-soluble vitamins.
Gelatin or plant-based shell options, project-managed inside the quality-controlled supply chain.
- Shell
- Gelatin · Plant-based
- Routes
- Semi-custom · Custom
- Pathways
- EU · UK · US
- Working routes
- 3
- Project gates
- 4
- Pathways
- EU · UK · US
white-label · semi-custom · custom.
brief · spec · artwork · release.
reviewed per target-market framework.
Softgels are the format of choice for oil-actives — omega-3, vitamin D, CoQ10, MCT-based stacks. The fill chemistry is reviewed before spec lock so what ships matches what was promised.
- Shell
- Gelatin · Plant-based
- Fill
- Oil-active
- Best routes
- Semi-custom · Custom
- Gates
- Brief · Spec · Artwork · Release
When softgels fit
Softgels are right when the active is lipid-soluble or oil-based, when the brand needs a premium clinical SKU, or when the active dose would oxidise in a non-protected format.
- Omega-3 and lipid-soluble vitamin ranges (D, E, K, A).
- CoQ10, astaxanthin and other oil-carried bioactives.
- Premium clinical SKUs sitting above a gummy or capsule hero in the same range.
Pick the route that matches the brief.
Every project moves through one of three routes. Final routing is confirmed inside the portal — the route shapes the documentation set and the timeline.
Reviewed concept, brand artwork.
Pick a reviewed pectin-gummy concept from the catalogue and adapt brand artwork. The fastest path from brief to launch — packaging, claims and documentation are reviewed against the target market.
- Best for
- First gummy SKU · short timelines
- Lead time
- Confirmed in the quote
Adjusted within an existing matrix.
Adjust dose, flavour or active stack within an existing matrix. Differentiate the SKU without a full custom-development cycle. Documentation route follows the same project gates.
- Best for
- Differentiated SKU · existing brand
- Lead time
- Confirmed in the quote
Bespoke formulation and dieline.
Fully bespoke formulation, custom flavour profile and packaging dieline. The right route for category-defining launches with longer planning windows and committed quantities.
- Best for
- Category-defining launch · committed quantities
- Lead time
- Confirmed in the quote
PET bottle · Blister
Softgel packaging is confirmed per project — PET bottle is canonical; blister suits pharmacy-channel SKUs.
- PET bottle
Canonical supplement-shelf format for 30/60/90-day daily-use ranges.
- Blister
Pharmacy-channel premium presentation.
Project gates, not promises
DAT releases documentation as the project moves through each gate. Batch-release documents are issued after production and QC release.
- 01StageBrief reviewReviewed
Target market, format, quantity, claims direction
WhenProject entry
ReceivesFeasibility view + working route confirmation
- 02StageFormula & spec confirmationReviewed
Formulation route, allergen statement, per-SKU specification
WhenAfter brief sign-off
ReceivesSpecification draft + spec-locked formula
- 03StageArtwork & label reviewReviewed
Dieline, on-pack copy, claim wording per market framework
WhenIn parallel with spec lock
ReceivesReviewed artwork against the target-market framework
- 04StageProduction & QCReviewed
In-process control plan, stability and QC release rules
WhenOnce spec & artwork are signed off
ReceivesProduction run + in-process control records
- 05StageBatch-specific documentsReviewed
Per-batch QC, traceability, release-for-shipment
WhenAfter production & QC release
ReceivesBatch-specific Certificate of Analysis + traceability
- 06StageRepeat order supportReviewed
Forecast review, raw-material lead times, improvement notes
WhenPer repeat order
ReceivesRefreshed documentation per project stage
Documentation availability depends on product, market and project stage. The brand owner remains the food business operator and is responsible for final filings in each target market.
Concepts reviewed for this format
A short pick of reviewed concepts. Final positioning, claims and documentation are reviewed per project.
-
Omega-3 fish-oil softgel
Daily-use oil-active in the canonical softgel format.
-
Plant-based vitamin D₃ softgel
Vegan-shell softgel with lipid-soluble vitamin D₃.
-
CoQ10 softgel
Premium cardiovascular-positioning softgel.
Common actives for this format
Frequently asked questions
Are plant-based softgel shells available?
Yes — plant-based shells are routine alongside gelatin. Shell choice is confirmed during the brief against the active list.
Why a softgel rather than a capsule?
Softgels protect oil-active and lipid-soluble actives that would not perform inside a hard-shell capsule. Active selection drives the format choice.
Is white-label available for softgels?
Softgels typically route through semi-custom or custom because the fill chemistry is part of the spec. White-label availability is confirmed per project.
What documentation gates apply?
Brief review, spec confirmation, artwork review per the target-market framework, and batch-specific Certificate of Analysis after QC release.
What is the order of magnitude for a first run?
Semi-custom starts from 2,500 units; custom development from 5,000 units. Final volumes are confirmed in the quote.
Request a softgel quote
Send the brief — DAT will confirm shell choice, review fill chemistry and frame the spec lock.