Mini Tablet Manufacturer for Low-Dose Supplements

Mini tablets demand tighter tooling tolerances than standard formats. We run rotary presses with multi-tip punches to achieve 2–6 mm diameters at commercial volumes. Depending on the formulation, output ranges from 150,000 to 400,000 tablets per hour on a single line. Lower speeds are used for fragile actives or high-dose APIs. Tooling is custom-made per product, with a lead time of 15–20 working days for new punches and dies. We keep a library of standard round and oval profiles to reduce setup time for repeat orders.

Because mini tablets have a small surface area, weight variation is controlled to ±3% or tighter. Our presses are equipped with automatic weight control and rejection systems. For bi-layer or tri-layer mini tablets, we use specialised tooling to keep layer boundaries clean at 3 mm and above. Film coating is available in a 5–8% weight gain range, using aqueous or solvent-based systems. Coating adds 1–2 working days to the production schedule.

Not every ingredient compresses well at 2–4 mm. We adjust particle size, binder level and moisture content to prevent capping and lamination. Common actives include melatonin at 1–3 mg, vitamin D3 at 1,000–5,000 IU, methylcobalamin at 500–5,000 mcg, and iron bisglycinate at 10–25 mg. For paediatric ranges, we use natural sweeteners such as monk fruit or stevia, and flavours like strawberry, orange and vanilla. Disintegrants are selected to break down within 15 minutes in purified water at 37°C.

Mini tablets can be produced as immediate-release, chewable, or enteric-coated. Enteric coating at 2–4 mm requires a two-stage process to protect the core during gastric transit. We also offer sublingual formats where the tablet dissolves under the tongue in 30–60 seconds. For probiotics, we use a protective matrix and controlled low-temperature compression to maintain CFU counts above 1 billion per tablet. Each formulation is tested for hardness, friability and disintegration before scale-up.

Every batch is tested for identity, potency, microbial limits and heavy metals in our in-house lab. We follow GMP, ISO 22000 and HACCP protocols. Certificates of analysis are issued per lot, and retain samples are kept for 24 months. For halal and claims, we source certified raw materials and maintain segregation throughout production. Our facility is FDA-registered for dietary supplements. We do not claim FDA approval, as that applies to drugs, not supplements.

Packing options include 30 cc to 120 cc HDPE bottles, blister packs with 7–14 tablets per card, and sachets. We ship from Guangdong to the US, EU, UK and Middle East. Air freight takes 5–8 days, sea freight 18–28 days. Documentation covers commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, health certificate and MSDS where required. For repeat orders, we hold packaging components for up to 12 months to shorten lead times.

Every mini tablet batch is tested against a written specification before release. Incoming raw materials are sampled at 100% of containers for identity by FTIR or HPLC, and composite samples are tested for potency, microbial limits (TPC, yeast and mould, E. coli, Salmonella), heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury by ICP-MS) and, where relevant, pesticide residues. During compression, in-process checks run every 30 minutes on weight variation, thickness, hardness and friability; disintegration is tested at start, middle and end of each compression run.

Finished mini tablets are tested for identity, potency (usually 95.0–105.0% of label claim), uniformity of dosage units, microbial limits, heavy metals and disintegration. Disintegration for uncoated mini tablets is typically specified at not more than 15 minutes in purified water at 37°C; coated or enteric formats follow the relevant USP or Ph. Eur. method. Each batch has a certificate of analysis (COA) listing tests, specifications, methods and results, signed by the QC manager and retained with the batch record.

Retention samples are kept for the shelf life plus 12 months, stored under labelled conditions (typically 25°C/60% RH and, for accelerated studies, 40°C/75% RH). Stability protocols follow ICH Q1A(R2): 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months for long-term, and 0, 3 and 6 months for accelerated. We provide stability data to support the shelf life printed on your label, and can run a customer-specific stability study if your market requires it.

Batch records, COAs, deviation reports and retention sample logs are available for audit. For mini tablet manufacturing, the smaller fill weights (10–250 mg) mean weight variation is tighter: we typically control individual tablet weight within ±5% of target, with ±3% achievable on well-flowing granulations. This is documented in the batch record and summarised on the COA.

Mini tablets can be packed in HDPE bottles (typically 30, 60, 90 or 120 cc with induction seal and child-resistant closure), blister packs (PVC/PVDC or alu-alu), stick packs or sachets. Bottle filling runs at 30–60 bottles per minute depending on count; blister lines handle 2–4 cycles per minute. We can add desiccant, cotton or oxygen absorbers where the formulation requires it. Cartons are specified with dimensions, board grade and print colours, and pallets are typically 1,200 × 1,000 mm or 1,200 × 800 mm with a stated carton count and gross weight.

For US-bound dietary supplements, labels must carry the statement of identity, net quantity of contents, supplement facts panel, ingredient list, allergen declaration where applicable, and the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer or distributor. We also print lot number and expiry date in a legible format, typically inkjet or laser coding on the bottle, carton and, where used, the blister foil. For EU markets, the label follows Directive 2002/46/EC and local language requirements; for Amazon, we can apply FNSKU labels and poly-bag or shrink-wrap to FBA prep standards.

Retail readiness checks cover barcode verification (GS1-128 or UPC-A), label artwork proofing against the approved master, and a first-article inspection before the full run. We keep a packaging record for each batch, including label version, lot coding and quantity packed. If you sell through retail chains, we can supply carton markings to your buyer's specification, including ITF-14 barcodes and SSCC labels for pallet tracking.

Sample lead time for a custom mini tablet is typically 7–10 working days after formulation and artwork approval, including a small pilot batch for your evaluation. Mass production runs 20–35 working days after sample approval, depending on coating, packaging format and QC release. MOQ is 1,000 units per SKU for standard bottles; pilot runs below this are possible with a pilot-run surcharge. We confirm the exact MOQ in the quotation once the tablet size, fill weight and packaging are fixed.

Shipping is by air or sea. Air freight from Guangdong to Europe or North America typically takes 5–8 days door to door; sea freight takes 25–40 days depending on port and routing. We quote EXW, FOB Shenzhen/Hong Kong or DDP to your warehouse. For DDP, we handle export clearance, freight, import duty and delivery; you receive the goods with the commercial invoice, packing list and COA.

Documents provided with each shipment include the certificate of analysis, material safety data sheet (MSDS) where applicable, free-sale certificate, and, for plant-derived ingredients, phytosanitary certificate where the destination country requires it. We also provide a certificate of origin on request. For mini tablet manufacturing, the COA is batch-specific and matches the lot number on the carton and bottle, so your QC team can trace each delivery back to the batch record.