Perfume and fragrance manufacturing glossary

Reference · Industry Glossary

Perfume Glossary in Turkey

Every term you will meet in fragrance, manufacturing, packaging and compliance — on one searchable page.

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The fragrance industry has a language of its own. When you request a quotation, assess a sample or prepare a label, these are the terms you will encounter. 73 terms across seven categories, written for brands sourcing private label production.

Fragrance Structure & Evaluation

Note

Each individual scent component that makes up a fragrance. Raw materials such as bergamot, rose or sandalwood are referred to as notes.

→ Related article: Perfume Notes Guide

Fragrance pyramid

The three-layer structure showing how a perfume's top, heart and base notes unfold over time. It describes the scent's journey on the skin.

→ Related article: Perfume Notes Guide

Top note

The most volatile notes, perceived immediately after application. They typically fade within 15 minutes to 2 hours; citrus and aromatic materials are common here.

→ Related article: Perfume Notes Guide

Heart note middle note

The notes that emerge once the top notes evaporate. They define the character of the fragrance; florals and spices dominate this layer.

→ Related article: Perfume Notes Guide

Base note

The heaviest and longest-lasting notes. Musk, amber, vanilla and woods stay on the skin longest and form the signature of the perfume.

→ Related article: Perfume Notes Guide

Accord

Several notes blended so that they are perceived as a single new scent impression, similar to a chord in music.

→ Related article: Perfume Notes Guide

Sillage

The scent trail a fragrance leaves in the air after the wearer has passed. High sillage means the scent projects into a wider space.

Longevity

How long a fragrance remains perceptible on skin or fabric. It depends on concentration, note structure, fixatives and skin type.

Projection

Whether a scent stays close to the skin or radiates outward. Related to sillage but measured differently.

Fixative

A material that slows the evaporation of volatile notes and increases longevity. The first component reviewed when a fragrance fades too quickly.

Maceration

Resting the blended concentrate with alcohol for a set period so the notes settle and the scent stabilises. Skipping it leaves the fragrance smelling raw.

→ Related article: Brand-Specific Custom Perfume Production

Fragrance oil concentrate

The concentrated scented oil composition. It is diluted with alcohol and water to produce the finished product. In private label production this is where scent selection happens.

→ Related article: Brand-Specific Custom Perfume Production

Absolute

A highly concentrated aromatic extract obtained from delicate raw materials such as flowers using solvent extraction. Richer and costlier than essential oil.

→ Related article: Brand-Specific Custom Perfume Production

Aldehyde

A family of synthetic compounds that add brightness, cleanliness and volume to a composition. A hallmark of classical perfumery.

→ Related article: Perfume Notes Guide

Concentration Types

Extrait de Parfum

The highest concentration of fragrance oil. Longest lasting and used most sparingly; usually offered in smaller volumes.

→ Related article: Edp, Edt And Extrait Difference

EDP Eau de Parfum

Lower than extrait but higher than EDT in oil concentration. The most widely used format for everyday wear.

→ Related article: Edp, Edt And Extrait Difference

EDT Eau de Toilette

Lighter than EDP with shorter longevity. Suited to daytime and warm-weather use.

→ Related article: Edp, Edt And Extrait Difference

EDC Eau de Cologne

A low-concentration, fresh and light format. Classic cologne falls into this class and is usually sold in larger volumes.

Fragrance oil percentage

The share of concentrate in the finished product. It determines the concentration class, longevity and cost.

→ Related article: Edp, Edt And Extrait Difference

Alcohol strength

The ethanol content of the product. It affects the fresh, hygienic feel in cologne and the way a perfume opens on the skin.

Olfactive Families

Floral

Dominated by flower notes such as rose, jasmine and hyacinth. The broadest family in women's fragrance.

→ Related article: Trend Fragrance Families 2026

Woody

Sandalwood, cedar and vetiver. Warm, long-lasting and balanced; widely used in unisex compositions.

→ Related article: Trend Fragrance Families 2026

Oriental amber

Rich and warm family built on amber, vanilla, spices and resins. Demand is strongest in the Gulf market.

→ Related article: Trend Fragrance Families 2026

Fougère

A classic structure based on lavender, coumarin and oakmoss. The family that defined masculine perfumery.

→ Related article: Trend Fragrance Families 2026

Chypre

A sophisticated family built on a bergamot opening with oakmoss and labdanum. Used in classic, characterful compositions.

→ Related article: Trend Fragrance Families 2026

Gourmand

Edible associations such as vanilla, caramel and cocoa. Demand is high among younger buyers and in candles.

→ Related article: Trend Fragrance Families 2026

Aquatic

Notes evoking sea air, cleanliness and freshness. Preferred in summer and fresh compositions.

→ Related article: Trend Fragrance Families 2026

Oud

An intense, resinous note from agarwood. Central to luxury positioning in Middle Eastern markets.

→ Related article: Trend Fragrance Families 2026

Manufacturing & Business Models

Contract manufacturing

Production carried out by a manufacturer on behalf of the ordering brand. The brand owns a product without building a factory. Full guide.

→ Related article: Contract Manufacturer Partner Selection

Private label

Producing and selling a product under the seller's own brand. Formula, bottle and packaging are adapted to the brand.

→ Related article: Private Label Perfume What Is

White label

Selling a ready-made product under different brands by changing only the label and packaging. Less customisation than private label.

→ Related article: Private Label Perfume What Is

OEM

Original Equipment Manufacturer. Production carried out to the buyer's specification.

→ Related article: Private Label Perfume What Is

ODM

Original Design Manufacturer. The manufacturer's own product design produced under the buyer's brand.

→ Related article: Private Label Perfume What Is

MOQ minimum order quantity

The lowest quantity at which a production run is commercially viable. It exists because tooling, printing plates and setup are fixed costs spread across the run.

→ Related article: Contract Manufacturer Partner Selection

Sample

A physical example produced before the full run so that scent, bottle, label and packaging can be approved in the hand rather than on screen.

→ Related article: Contract Manufacturer Partner Selection

Batch

A group of products manufactured under the same conditions. A batch code is assigned for traceability and is used in complaints or recalls.

→ Related article: Private Label Trust Quality

Compounding

Blending the concentrate with alcohol and other components to prepare the final perfume liquid.

→ Related article: Brand-Specific Custom Perfume Production

Filling

The stage where the prepared liquid is filled into bottles, followed by crimping or capping, labelling and boxing.

→ Related article: Brand-Specific Custom Perfume Production

Stability test

Testing that the product does not degrade in colour, scent or structure under time, temperature and light conditions.

→ Related article: Private Label Trust Quality

Turnkey production

One manufacturer handling the entire process from scent development through packaging, labelling, filling and shipment.

Packaging & Decoration

Mould tooling

The production tool required to make a custom-shaped bottle. A one-off, high fixed cost, so it usually suits higher volumes; the alternative is coating a catalogue bottle.

→ Related article: Bottle Painting Design Solutions

Printing plate cliché

The plate carrying the artwork in a printing process. Every colour and design change requires a new plate.

→ Related article: Graphic Packaging Design

Screen printing serigraphy

Ink pushed through a mesh stencil directly onto the glass surface. Produces a label-free, integrated and premium look.

→ Related article: Bottle Painting Design Solutions

Pad printing

Printing onto curved and irregular surfaces using a silicone pad. Used on caps and small components.

→ Related article: Perfume Cap Types and Choosing the Right Cap

Hot foil gilding

Transferring metallic foil onto a surface with heat and pressure, producing gold or silver lettering and logos.

→ Related article: Luxury Brand Look How Create

Soft touch

A special coating that gives a velvety, matte and soft feel. It adds a quality cue at the moment the product is picked up.

→ Related article: Bottle Painting Design Solutions

Lacquer

A coating applied to glass that delivers dense colour and gloss.

→ Related article: Bottle Painting Design Solutions

Frosting sandblasting

Treating the glass surface to achieve a frosted, semi-translucent appearance.

→ Related article: Bottle Painting Design Solutions

Crimping collar

Fixing the pump to the bottle neck by compressing a metal collar. A permanent closure that cannot be removed.

Pump

The mechanism that draws liquid from the bottle and sprays it. Dose volume and neck-size compatibility are critical.

Dip tube

The thin tube that lets the pump draw liquid from the bottom of the bottle. It is cut to bottle height; the wrong length leaves product unusable.

Atomizer

The spray mechanism that disperses liquid into a fine mist.

Die-line

The technical drawing showing a carton's cut and fold lines. It is prepared before printing.

→ Related article: Cosmetic Packaging Design How Yapilir

Cellophane wrap

The transparent protective film applied over the carton. It signals that the product is unopened and improves shelf durability.

→ Related article: Cosmetic Packaging Design How Yapilir

Candle & Home Fragrance

Soy wax

A plant-based wax made from soybean oil. Preferred for its clean burn and vegan compatibility. Candle manufacturing.

Paraffin

The traditional petroleum-derived candle wax. Known for strong scent throw and economical cost.

Beeswax

A natural wax of bee origin, used in premium positioning and natural product claims.

Wick

The cotton or wooden strip that sustains the flame. Thickness is selected by vessel diameter and wax type; the wrong wick causes sooting or tunnelling.

Cold throw

The scent intensity of an unlit candle. It shapes the first impression at the point of purchase.

→ Related article: Most Cok Satan Candle Fragrances 2026

Hot throw

How strongly the scent fills a room while the candle burns. This is what determines satisfaction after purchase.

→ Related article: Most Cok Satan Candle Fragrances 2026

Reed diffuser

A product where rattan reeds draw liquid up from the bottle and diffuse scent continuously without electricity. Room fragrance manufacturing.

Rattan reed

The porous natural stick that carries liquid upward in a diffuser. The number of reeds directly affects scent intensity.

Compliance & Certification

IFRA

International Fragrance Association. The body that sets safe usage levels for fragrance raw materials worldwide.

→ Related article: Ifra Certificate What Is

ÜTS

Turkey's Product Tracking System. The electronic registry where cosmetic products are notified to TİTCK before sale.

TİTCK

The Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency, responsible for regulatory oversight of cosmetic products in Turkey.

CLP

The regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of substances. It determines mandatory hazard labels on room fragrances and candles.

REACH

The EU framework for registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals.

MSDS SDS

Material Safety Data Sheet. Documents the product's content, hazard class and transport conditions; frequently requested in export.

CPNP

The EU Cosmetic Products Notification Portal, where cosmetics placed on the EU market are registered.

Allergen declaration

Listing the allergenic components present in a fragrance that must be stated on the label.

→ Related article: Ifra Certificate What Is

INCI

The international naming standard for cosmetic ingredients. Components are listed on labels under these names.

GS1 barcode

The international barcode standard identifying products in retail and e-commerce. Required for marketplace listings.

Responsible Person

The natural or legal person established in the EU who is legally accountable for a cosmetic product's compliance. This role sits with the importer or brand owner, not an overseas factory.

Turn Terms Into a Product

Tell us your product group and target market, and we will clarify which concentration, packaging and regulations apply to your project.

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Fragrance Oil Concentration Explained

The "strength" of a perfume is measured by its fragrance oil percentage. The remainder is mostly alcohol with a small amount of water. As the ratio rises, so do longevity and price.

Concentration types and fragrance oil ratio
Type	Oil ratio	Typical longevity	Positioning
Extrait de Parfum	20–30%	6–8 hours and above	Top tier, small volumes
Eau de Parfum (EDP)	15–20%	4–6 hours	Core retail and gifting product
Eau de Toilette (EDT)	5–15%	2–4 hours	Daily wear, volume channels
Eau de Cologne (EDC)	2–5%	1–2 hours	Refreshing, frequent use
Eau Fraîche	1–3%	About an hour	Body spray, very light

These ranges are the industry norms; the exact ratio in your formula depends on the fragrance chosen and the character you are aiming for. Concentration is a commercial decision as much as a technical one — see perfume manufacturing for how it affects positioning.

Frequently Searched Terms

Dry down: The final stage a fragrance reaches a few hours after application. Once the top notes have evaporated, what remains is the character of the base notes — and that is where the scent shows its real identity. When evaluating a sample, judge the dry down rather than the first fifteen minutes, because that is what your customer smells for the rest of the day. It is the most commonly skipped step in the sampling process.
Oud / oudh: A dense, resinous raw material derived from agarwood resin. It sits at the centre of fragrance identity in the Gulf market, while in Europe it appears mostly in premium compositions. Natural oud is extremely expensive, so commercial production generally uses synthetic oud accords. Oud-led collections also carry higher concentration expectations — market differences are covered on our worldwide export page.
FSM (fragrance strength meter): An informal scale used by some manufacturers and sellers to express perceived intensity or longevity. It is not a standard industry unit and different companies use different scales. When comparing products, ask for the fragrance oil percentage and concentration type instead — those are comparable figures.
Perfumery: The word carries two meanings: a shop selling perfume and cosmetics, and the craft of creating fragrance compositions. If you are looking for the fragrance development side of a brand, the second meaning applies, and the work is carried out by a perfumer.
Sillage: The scent trail a person leaves behind them. It is distinct from longevity: a fragrance can last a long time with low sillage (staying close to the skin), or be short-lived yet project strongly. Corporate and office gifting usually favours lower sillage.
Maceration: Resting the blend after fragrance, alcohol and base have been combined, so the notes settle into each other. Skipped, the scent stays sharp and disjointed in its first days. It is a distinct stage in our production flow.

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Share the product, quantity and target market; we will prepare a project-specific quote.

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