Gummy Shapes and Mould Options
A practical reference to the shape, mould and finish options behind a private-label gummy. Covers existing mould shapes, new moulds, gummy weight and how shape choice connects to dose and to your order.
What this reference covers
- Standard mould shapes — bear, bottle, heart, ring, star and geometric forms that ship without new tooling
- New moulds — why a bespoke shape is new tooling, handled as a Custom Project
- Gummy weight and dose — how shape size connects to the per-unit active load
- Surface finishes — sugar-sanded, sour-sanded, oil-shine and uncoated
- Depositing vs. starch-mogul moulding — what each method means for detail and finish
Who this is for
- Brand teams choosing a shape and finish for a first private-label gummy
- Product managers weighing a custom mould against a standard one
- Founders scoping how shape choice affects dose, finish and the brief
Gummies are one of several formats DAT Supply works in. Shape is chosen from the existing shapes the product offers, alongside dose, flavour and packaging.
Have a shape in mind?
Order a sample kit to see standard shapes and finishes in hand, then brief your order with the shape, dose and finish you want.
Shape, mould and finish options
Standard shapes
Bear, bottle, heart, ring, star and simple geometric forms are standard mould shapes — they run without new tooling and suit most retail and e-commerce launches. A standard shape keeps the launch lean: you choose the form, the formulation team matches the gummy weight to your dose anchor, and the mould is already in place.
Custom moulds
A bespoke shape — a brand mascot, a logo form, an unusual silhouette — needs a new mould. That is new tooling, so it is handled as a Custom Project: the shape has to deposit cleanly, demould without tearing and hold dose tolerance.
Finishes and moulding method
Finish options — sugar-sanded, sour-sanded, oil-shine or uncoated — change mouthfeel, shelf appearance and, for sour-sand, the surface acid load. The moulding method (precision depositing vs. starch-mogul) affects how much surface detail a shape can hold. Both are confirmed alongside the formula. Claim wording is reviewed per project against the target market before artwork is locked; you approve the final label.
How this connects to your order
Shape sits inside the formulation conversation, not before it. Once your dose anchor and format are set, the shape is matched to the gummy weight that carries that dose, and the finish is chosen alongside flavour and packaging. A new mould is handled as a Custom Project.
Frequently asked
Can you produce a custom mould shape?
A new mould shape is new tooling, so it is handled as a Custom Project. Existing shapes (bear, bottle, heart, ring, geometric) need no new tooling and, where the product offers them, are a Personalization choice on your order.
Does the shape change the dose?
Shape and gummy weight are linked. The dose anchor is set first — target daily dose and servings per unit — and the mould is matched to the gummy weight that carries that dose. Smaller novelty shapes carry less active per piece. The formulation team confirms the shape-to-dose fit during the brief.
What finishes are available?
Common finishes are sugar-sanded, sour-sanded, oil-shine (carnauba/MCT) and uncoated. Finish affects mouthfeel, shelf appearance and, for sour-sand, the surface acid load. Finish is a per-project choice confirmed alongside the formula and packaging.
Is COA or shape-tolerance testing included automatically?
No. Independent lab testing is available on request — it is not automatic. Responsibility for label and market claims rests with the brand owner.
Ingredient, dosage or active changes to an existing formula are Formula Adaptation, with the production minimum and timeline confirmed before you commit. A genuinely new formula, R&D, due diligence, compliance and bespoke testing are Custom Projects, reviewed individually.
Related pages
- → Gummy manufacturing — the format hub
- → Private-label gummies — route and MOQ
- → Kids category — where shape and character choice matters most
- → Sports nutrition category — gummy formats in this vertical
- → Flavours and taste-masking
- → Packaging options
- → Formulation guide — dose anchors and format trade-offs
- → Browse the catalogue
- → Order samples
Where to next?
Browse the reviewed catalogue, request samples, or start an order when you're ready — your DAT Supply account routes your brief through the right review step.