Wholesale & Custom Chocolate Production

A Guide for New Clients

Thank you for your interest in working with Le Chocolatier.

We work with businesses, organizations, event planners, retailers, and other clients to create high-quality chocolate products for wholesale, corporate gifting, branded products, events, and custom projects.

Our goal is to make the process straightforward and transparent from the initial conversation through production and delivery. This guide outlines how we typically work with new wholesale and custom-production clients and what you can expect when working with us.

1. Starting a New Project

Every project begins with a conversation about what you are looking to create.

Depending on your needs, this may include:

• Selecting from our existing chocolate products and flavours.
• Creating a custom flavour or product.
• Producing chocolate products under your brand.
• Custom packaging and labelling.
• Developing a unique chocolate shape or mould.
• Producing a product from a client-provided recipe or formulation.
• Creating a custom chocolate product for an event, promotion, or corporate program.
• Producing an ongoing wholesale product for your business.

We will discuss your requirements, quantities, timelines, packaging needs, and any other project-specific considerations before providing a quotation.

Confidentiality

We understand that new product discussions can involve sensitive information such as recipes, ingredients, formulations, product concepts, business plans, and trade secrets.

If your project involves confidential or proprietary information, we can provide a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before detailed information is shared. This allows both parties to have clear expectations regarding the handling and use of confidential information.

2. Product Selection & Custom Production

We offer a range of handmade chocolate products that can be produced for wholesale, corporate, promotional, event, and branded applications.

Depending on the project, clients may be able to select from existing products or work with us to develop a custom product.

Custom production may include:

• Chocolate bars.
• Chocolate clusters.
• Truffles and bonbons.
• Chocolate gifts and specialty products.
• Custom flavours.
• Custom shapes.
• Branded or promotional chocolates.
• Other products that can reasonably be produced within our facilities and capabilities.

Not every product or formulation will be suitable for production, so each custom request is evaluated individually.

3. Minimum Order Quantities

Wholesale pricing generally requires a minimum production quantity.

As a general guideline, our standard minimum for a wholesale production run is approximately 100 units of one product, although actual minimums may vary depending on the product, size, packaging, ingredients, production requirements, and complexity of the project.

Custom products may have different minimum quantities.

For example, custom moulds and specialized packaging generally require larger production quantities to make the initial investment practical.

We will confirm the applicable minimum quantity when preparing your quotation.

4. Custom Branding & Packaging

We can assist clients who want their chocolate products presented under their own brand.

Custom branding may include:

• Branded chocolate bar packaging.
• Custom labels and sleeves.
• Corporate branding.
• Event or promotional packaging.
• Custom printed materials.
• Other packaging solutions appropriate for the product.

We work with experienced local design and printing professionals to develop custom packaging.

Depending on the project, the process may involve:

1. Developing or supplying the artwork.

2. Reviewing packaging specifications.

3. Obtaining printing quotations.

4. Approving artwork.

5. Producing the packaging.

6. Coordinating packaging with chocolate production.

Custom packaging is quoted separately based on the project requirements.

Packaging Quantities

Custom printed packaging generally becomes more cost-effective as quantities increase.

For clients expecting to place repeat orders, it may make sense to produce a larger quantity of packaging during the initial print run. Where practical, we can store unused packaging on site and use it for subsequent production runs.

This can help reduce the per-unit packaging cost over the life of the product.

5. New Client / Project Setup

A one-time project setup fee of $250 CAD applies to new clients or new custom projects.

This fee covers the administrative and production setup required to establish the project, including items such as:

• Setting up client and project files.
• Administrative preparation.
• Product and production documentation.
• Coordination with suppliers and service providers.
• Initial production planning.
• Other administrative work required to establish the project.

The setup fee is charged once for the initial project and is not intended to be an ongoing fee for every reorder of an established product.

6. Custom Chocolate Moulds

Custom chocolate moulds may be an option for clients looking to create a unique chocolate shape or highly customized product.

Custom mould production involves design, mould fabrication, casting, and shipping and therefore requires additional planning and lead time.

As a general guideline, custom mould production takes approximately 5–6 weeks from the beginning of the mould-production process to receipt of the finished moulds.

Custom mould projects are quoted separately, as requirements can vary depending on the design and production specifications.

Where a custom mould is commissioned, the client will receive a project-specific quotation outlining the applicable costs and what is included.

Custom mould development should be initiated well in advance of the desired product launch or production date.

7. Order Lead Times

Our standard production lead time is generally 5–10 business days from the time an order is officially received and acknowledged by our team.

For clarity, an order is considered received when we have reviewed it and confirmed receipt with the client.

This distinction is important because orders may be submitted outside of our regular business hours, on days when we are closed, or near the end of a business day. The production timeline begins once the order has been reviewed and acknowledged.

Please Allow Additional Time For:

• New product development.
• Custom recipes or formulations.
• Custom packaging.
• Packaging design and printing.
• Custom mould production.
• Large-volume orders.
• Special-order ingredients or materials.
• Projects with multiple approval stages.

For new or complex projects, we will provide a more specific estimated timeline once the scope of work has been established.

8. Order Confirmation

To avoid misunderstandings, production does not begin simply because an order or request has been emailed.

Before production begins, we will confirm the details of the order, which may include:

• Product.
• Quantity.
• Pricing.
• Packaging.
• Artwork.
• Ingredients or formulation.
• Delivery or pickup requirements.
• Production timeline.
• Any other project-specific requirements.

The order is considered confirmed once the required details have been reviewed and approved by both parties.

9. Artwork & Client Approvals

For custom-branded products, clients are responsible for reviewing and approving artwork and other project details before production or printing begins.

Once artwork, packaging, product specifications, or other production details have been approved, changes may result in additional costs or delays.

We strongly recommend that clients carefully review:

• Spelling.
• Logos.
• Colours.
• Product names.
• Quantities.
• Dates.
• Contact information.
• Ingredient or product information.
• Any other printed information.

before providing final approval.

10. Ingredients & Product Information

We take ingredient information and product specifications seriously.

For products using our established recipes, we will provide the applicable product information required for the project.

Where a client supplies a recipe, formulation, ingredient specification, or other proprietary information, we will discuss the requirements before production begins.

Clients are responsible for communicating any specific ingredient, allergen, dietary, or formulation requirements that are important to their project.

Any special ingredient requirements may affect pricing, minimum quantities, production timelines, or whether a product can be produced.

11. Custom Recipes & Client-Provided Formulations

We are open to discussing projects involving client-provided recipes, formulations, ingredients, or product concepts.

Because these projects can involve intellectual property and confidential information, we recommend putting confidentiality and ownership expectations in writing before development or production begins.

Where appropriate, an NDA and/or separate written agreement can establish:

• What information is confidential.
• How the information may be used.
• Who owns a recipe or formulation.
• Who owns newly developed intellectual property.
• Whether the product may be reproduced.
• Whether the product is exclusive to the client.
• What each party may do with the information after the project ends.

These matters should be agreed upon before production of a proprietary product begins.

12. Pricing & Quotations

Custom and wholesale pricing is based on the specific requirements of each project.

Factors that may affect pricing include:

• Product type.
• Quantity.
• Ingredients.
• Customization.
• Labour and production requirements.
• Packaging.
• Printing.
• Custom moulds.
• Storage requirements.
• Shipping or delivery.
• Other third-party or project-specific costs.

A quotation will be provided based on the information available at the time.

Where project specifications change after a quotation has been provided, pricing may need to be revised.

13. Repeat Orders

Once a product has been established, repeat orders are generally much more straightforward.

Where the product, packaging, ingredients, and specifications remain unchanged, subsequent orders can typically move directly into the production process once the order has been reviewed and confirmed.

We encourage clients who anticipate ongoing orders to plan ahead for packaging, ingredients, and production requirements.

14. Production Scheduling

We operate a small-batch chocolate production business, and production capacity can vary depending on the season and existing commitments.

Lead times provided at the time of quotation are estimates based on the information available and the production schedule at that time.

For seasonal, promotional, corporate, or event orders, we recommend placing orders as early as possible.

The earlier we know about a significant upcoming order, the better we can plan ingredients, packaging, production time, and shipping.

15. Shipping & Delivery

We can accommodate shipping within Canada, as well as local pickup or delivery arrangements where applicable.

Shipping requirements should be discussed when the order is quoted, particularly for larger or temperature-sensitive orders.

Shipping costs and requirements may vary depending on destination, order size, season, and shipping method.

16. Communication & Client Expectations

A successful custom-production project depends on clear communication from both sides.

We ask clients to:

• Provide complete and accurate project information.
• Respond to questions and approval requests in a timely manner.
• Review quotations and artwork carefully.
• Provide final approvals before production deadlines.
• Communicate changes as early as possible.
• Allow sufficient lead time for custom projects.
• Understand that changes after production or printing has begun may result in additional costs or delays.

In return, we will communicate clearly about project requirements, pricing, timelines, production considerations, and any issues that may affect the project.

17. Our Approach

Our goal is to build long-term relationships with our wholesale and custom-production clients.

We combine small-batch, hands-on chocolate production with the ability to support branded products, corporate orders, events, and ongoing wholesale programs.

Every project is different, and we are happy to discuss what is possible and determine the most practical way to bring your chocolate product or concept to life.

Ready to Get Started?

If you are interested in developing a wholesale, custom, branded, or corporate chocolate product, the first step is to contact us with an overview of your project.

Helpful information to include:

• What you would like to produce.
• Approximate quantity.
• Desired product size.
• Desired flavour or chocolate type.
• Packaging requirements.
• Branding requirements.
• Desired launch or delivery date.
• Whether the product will be a one-time or recurring order.
• Any confidential or proprietary information that may require an NDA.

From there, we can discuss the project, identify the appropriate production approach, and prepare a quotation and timeline.

Le Chocolatier
Canmore, Alberta, Canada
Handmade Belgian Chocolate | Wholesale | Custom Chocolate | Corporate & Event Orders