Capsules — the workhorse format for broad active ranges.
Hard-shell capsules across HPMC and gelatin options, project-managed inside the quality-controlled supply chain.
- Working routes
- 3
- Documentation gates
- 4
- Target markets
- EU · UK · US
white-label · semi-custom · custom.
brief · spec · artwork · release.
reviewed per market framework.
Capsules are the workhorse: broad active range, low excipient burden, fast spec lock when the active list is clean. Formulation, packaging and documentation are managed inside the same project-managed workflow across all DAT formats.
When capsules earn their place
Capsules fit ranges that need a clean nutrition table, broad active flexibility, or a clinical-looking SKU. Vegan HPMC shells are routine and suit clean-label positioning.
- Clinical-looking daily-use ranges (multivitamin, mineral, mushroom).
- High-active stacks that need a broad payload window and a clean label.
- Range extensions where the brand needs a capsule SKU alongside other formats in the portfolio.
How DAT capsules are made
Two-piece hard-shell capsules are the broadest format the platform supports. Shells come in HPMC for vegan and clean-label positioning, and bovine or fish gelatin where the brand or pharmacy channel asks for it. Standard sizes run 00, 0, 1 and 2, with size selection driven by the fill weight, bulk density of the actives and the target pill count per day. The fill is a dry powder blend of actives, flow aids, binders and lubricants in well-tolerated grades — magnesium stearate or alternative lubricants, microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, silica. Payload is broad: water-soluble vitamins, mineral salts (magnesium glycinate, zinc bisglycinate, iron bisglycinate, well-tolerated iodine and selenium forms), botanical extracts at standardised ratios, amino acids, mushroom extracts and probiotics with appropriate carriers. Finish options include polishing, banded sealing for liquid-fill variants, and printed shell identification for high-volume runs. Brands choose capsules when the active stack is broad, the dose carries clinical weight, the nutrition table needs to read cleanly, or when a clinical-style SKU is the primary delivery format for the 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 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 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
What each route looks like for capsules
White-label is well-supported for capsules — reviewed single-active and simple multi-active concepts in the catalogue can carry brand artwork directly. First runs land at the 1,000-unit MOQ tier and DAT confirms shell choice (HPMC vs gelatin), size and pack format in the brief.
Semi-custom is the typical capsule route for ranges that want their own dose and stack. A reviewed matrix is adjusted — dose tier, active stack within standard sourcing, shell choice, capsule size, pack format. First runs land at the 2,500-unit MOQ tier and DAT confirms feasibility before spec lock.
Custom capsule development covers novel actives, bespoke standardised botanical extracts, premium sourcing requirements, or specialised formats (delayed-release coatings, banded liquid-fill, probiotic stability matrices). First runs land at the 5,000-unit MOQ tier and timelines are confirmed per project.
PET bottle · Blister · Doypack
Capsule packaging is confirmed per project — bottle, blister and pouch options are routinely reviewed.
Capsule packaging is reviewed against the channel and dose ritual. PET bottle is canonical — 30, 60 or 90-day daily-use formats with a clear nutrition table, child-resistant or standard closures depending on the market, and an outer carton or shipper. Blister packs (PVC, PVDC or aluminium-aluminium for moisture-sensitive actives) suit pharmacy-channel SKUs and premium presentation. Doypack reads DTC-first and lowers secondary packaging. Across all formats, desiccant inclusion, induction-sealed liners, tamper evidence and recyclability claims are reviewed in the brief.
- PET bottle
Canonical supplement format. Suits 30/60/90-day daily-use ranges.
- Blister
Premium presentation, common in pharmacy-channel SKUs.
- Doypack
Lower secondary-packaging footprint, strong DTC unboxing.
- PET bottle (30/60/90-day)
- Blister pack (PVC / Alu-Alu)
- Doypack with resealable zip
- Desiccant liner
- Tamper-evident induction seal
- Child-resistant cap
- Outer carton or shipper
- On-pack QR / batch code
Reviewed concepts for this format
A short pick of reviewed concepts. Final positioning, claims and documentation are confirmed per project.
-
Vegan multivitamin capsule
HPMC shell with a broad daily-use active stack.
-
Magnesium glycinate capsule
Single-active capsule for sleep and recovery routines.
-
Functional-mushroom capsule
Multi-mushroom stack for daily wellness ranges.
Top actives for capsules
Ingredients commonly reviewed for this format. Open a dossier to see dose anchors, working forms and formulation notes.
Other formats in the solid dosage group
Adjacent manufacturing formats DAT supports across the same product family.
Common actives for this format
Frequently asked questions
Are vegan capsule shells available?
Yes — HPMC shells are routine for capsule projects. Gelatin remains available where positioning calls for it. Shell choice is confirmed during the brief.
What capsule sizes does DAT support?
Sizes 00, 0, 1 and 2 are routinely reviewed. The right size depends on the active load and shell choice and is confirmed during spec.
Is white-label available for capsules?
Yes — capsules route through white-label, semi-custom and custom. White-label suits clean single-active or simple multi-active SKUs.
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?
White-label projects start from 1,000 units; semi-custom from 2,500; custom development from 5,000. Final volumes are confirmed in the quote.
Continue exploring
Private-label framing, related formats and the public-ready catalogue.
- Private label
Private label capsules →
Reviewed concepts in this format, pivoted for the private-label brand owner. Same four-gate documentation route, catalogue-led.
- Related format
Softgels manufacturing →
Softgel format for oil-soluble actives. Reviewed per project; sub-supplier capability confirmed during the brief.
- Related format
Tablets manufacturing →
Compressed tablet format. Reviewed per project; finish (uncoated, film-coated, chewable) confirmed during the brief.
- Catalogue
Browse capsules concepts →
Every public-ready PIM concept detected as capsules, sorted by family for quick scanning.
Request a capsule quote
Send the brief — DAT will route the project, confirm shell choice and frame the spec lock.