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Water-soluble fragrance →
Patented micro-emulsion conversion of our oils into clear, stable concentrates for water-based products.
Custom Fragrance Design
Custom Fragrance Design
Custom fragrance design is our specialty and we've spent decades in the professional fragrance industry launching products and brands around the world. Whether you want to create a signature scent or make technical modifications to one of our existing oils, Private Stock is our exclusive custom-design service for fragrance creation and formulation.
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What We Can Do
Whether you want to modify an existing Stock Fragrance formula or commission an entirely new fragrance, we can help.
Modify an existing fragrance from our current collection for technical specifications, product optimization, performance enhancements and certification or compliance. Modifications to existing formulas are subject to approval and once completed, the oil is available exclusively to you. Please note that existing formula modifications are not meant for olfactive character changes or adjustments. Examples include:
- Flashpoint adjustment
- Reworking for IFRA limits
- Product optimizations (candles, cold-air diffusers, reed diffusers, etc.)
- Regulatory compliance (geographic region, retailer certification, etc.)
Whether fragrance is the product or part of the product, we can create an original fragrance design from any inspiration. Every project is tailored entirely to your preferences and needs, for any product category. No experience necessary! Please note that we do not accept duplication or replication projects. Examples include:
- Creating a signature scent
- Developing a curated collection
- Expanding existing fragrance line
- Launching new products
Stock Fragrance vs. Private Stock
| Stock Fragrance | Private Stock | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Everyone | Established brands |
| Formulation fee | None | Starting at $1,500 per fragrance, excludes cost of oil |
| Oil price ($/lb) | $30–100+ per LB | Set by you during briefing |
| Production minimums | None | Vary by formula, starting at 25 LBs |
| Lead time | None | Development lead time – 4–6 weeks, production lead time 10–14 business days, subject to raw-material availability |
| Exclusivity | None | All custom formulations are exclusively available to you. We do not transfer formulas. |
| Approval | None | All custom fragrance projects are subject to approval prior to formulation. If a project is not approved, the formulation fee will be refunded, minus $100. |
| Conditions | None | No dupes. No types. No gimmicks. No exceptions. Upon completion, first order must be placed within 6 months to maintain exclusivity. |
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Our custom fragrance design process
We work with every client directly and each project is tailored specifically to your needs.
Your olfactive journey begins by securing your place in our development queue when you book the service online.
Get StartedAfter purchase, you will receive a link to our online fragrance briefing form, which includes details about the project:
- Olfactive Style
- Technical Requirements
- Market Positioning
- Brand/Product Information
Once we receive your completed brief, we will schedule a call to review the project in detail before we begin formulation. In the event your project is not approved, formulation fee will be refunded minus $100.
After the kick-off call, we will use our expertise to formulate finished fragrances that meet the specifications of your brief. Number of submissions vary by project and can be sent anywhere in the world (we do not need to meet in person). Take as much time as you need to test/evaluate in product.
Select the fragrance(s) you want to approve and we will set up a password-protected product page so you or your team can purchase anytime. All documentation will be posted to your fragrance page.
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Our experience
A few of the brands we've worked with
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Custom fragrance design — frequently asked questions
Do I own the formula?
We don't transfer or disclose our formulas — that's standard practice across the fragrance industry. What you get is exclusivity: your custom fragrance is made only for you and available to order anytime through a private, password-protected product page.
Is my project confidential, and will you sign an NDA?
Yes. Every project is treated as confidential. We're glad to sign an NDA if you'd like one, though in practice one usually isn't necessary.
Can you recreate or match an existing fragrance (a "dupe")?
No — no dupes, no types, no gimmicks, no exceptions. Everything we design is original. You're welcome to share inspiration and references to steer the direction, but we won't recreate another fragrance.
What types of products can a custom fragrance be made for?
Any product. Whatever you're making — fine fragrance, personal care, candles and home, or laundry and cleaning — we formulate the oil for that application.
Can you formulate to a specific certification or standard?
Yes. Certification and compliance targets are part of the brief — IFRA, EPA Safer Choice, ISO 9235, Clean at Sephora, retailer or regional standards, and more. Keep in mind that the more certifications you stack, the more restrictive the palette becomes, which can narrow the creative range.
Do we have to meet in person, or can projects be done remotely?
Nothing has to happen in person. The entire process can be done remotely, and we ship samples anywhere in the world.
Is there a minimum order quantity, and what if it's more than I need right away?
Custom oils are subject to production minimums that vary by formula, starting at 25 lbs. If a run is larger than you need right now, we'll hold the extra in storage at no additional charge and ship it as you go.
Once my formula is approved, what are the production lead times?
Standard production lead time is 10–14 business days, subject to raw-material availability. As a rule of thumb, we recommend ordering at least six months' worth of oil about six weeks before you need it.
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Related services
Other ways we help brands bring a scent to market.
Fragrance encapsulation →
Microencapsulation for time-release, friction-activated scent in personal care, fabric, and cleaning.
HVAC integration →
Turnkey ambient scenting through your building’s HVAC — equipment, fragrance, install, and service.
Blending & filling →
Contract blending and filling for finished fragrance-scented products, with formulation expertise.
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Resources & Reading
Learn how we create — and explore the line that starts every Private Stock project.
Fragrance Services Fragrance Oils Shop by Certification Knowledge Center Fragrant Thoughts blog Discovery Set Fragrance Oil Calculator
How Stock Fragrance Oils Are Made
Inside the professional creation process — from raw materials and the perfumer's organ to a finished, production-ready oil.
Live Smelling Session: Raleigh, NC
A behind-the-scenes look at smelling and discussing fragrance with our perfumer — how direction takes shape in a real session.
Natural vs. Synthetic Fragrance
What "natural" and "synthetic" really mean in fragrance materials — and how those choices shape a custom formula.