What a tablet is
An incense tablet is made from the same sandalwood or agarwood dough used for beads, bound with nanmu bark powder and honey, then pressed into a mold rather than rolled. After pressing, the tablet is released, trimmed, shade-dried and aged. It is worn on a cord or hung from a bag, and it releases scent the same way a bead does: slowly, with body heat and friction. The standard specification carries no synthetic fragrance oil and no industrial glue, confirmed in writing. The pressing step is covered in pressing incense tablets.
Tablets are for buyers who want a flat surface: jewelry brands that want a charm, hospitality programs that want a branded keepsake, and gift programs that want a card-sized insert.
Dimensions and thickness
| Dimension | Typical range | Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Width or diameter | 30-50 mm | Larger faces show more detail but are more fragile |
| Thickness | 3-6 mm | Thin tablets dry faster; thick ones resist cracking at the edges |
| Shape | Round, rectangle, plaque, coin, custom outline | Custom outlines need a new mold |
| Hole | Top hole for cord or a loop | Position and size agreed on the sample |
A rule of thumb: the thinner the tablet, the more careful the drying. Edges and corners are where cracks begin, so a rounded outline is both sturdier and cheaper than a sharp-cornered one.
Relief, engraving and logos
The surface pattern is the main differentiator. Three treatments are common.
- Relief from the mold. The pattern is pressed in with the tablet. It suits repeating motifs, plants, symbols and brand marks; the depth is limited by what the dough can hold.
- Intaglio logo. A logo cut into the surface, usually as a recessed mark. It is the usual choice for a brand name or a short inscription.
- Gold or color accent. A thin leaf or pigment placed in the recess to give contrast. This adds a step and should be sampled.
Fine detail is limited. Small text and thin lines lose definition as the tablet shrinks and the surface wears, so design with bold lines and a modest depth. Send vector artwork, not a screenshot, and expect the workshop to simplify the design. Always approve a physical sample before production, since the finished shape after shrinkage differs slightly from the mold.
Cords, tassels and attachment
The tablet has a hole near its top edge, and the cord choice shapes the product.
- Choose cord material: cotton, silk, waxed cord or a chain for a jewelry look.
- Choose the finishing: a plain knot, a tassel, a bead accent or a metal cap.
- Check that the hole is large enough for the cord and knot, and that the edge around it is thick enough not to break.
- Decide the length: pendant length, bag charm length or hanging loop.
If metal parts are used, they follow the findings rules in incense beads with silver findings. Weight is modest: a tablet weighs more than a bead but is still light, and the finished weight should be written on the sample sheet.
Branding programs
Branded tablets are a common entry point for hospitality, retail and gift programs, because the logo sits on a surface that people hold and display. Typical minimums for branded or boxed items run about 300-1,000 pieces per design, plus a mold cost that depends on the outline and the relief. Because the mold is specific to the design, changes after approval mean a new mold, and so the artwork should be settled before tooling starts. Packaging, a card and the pouch are covered on packaging and gift boxes, and the private-label process is on OEM and private label.
Drying, shrinkage and what it means for design
A pressed tablet shrinks as it dries, and it shrinks unevenly if the drying is rushed. Partner workshops dry tablets in the shade, turn them regularly and keep temperature and humidity steady, typically around 25 C and 60% relative humidity, over the same 5-10 day window used for beads. Direct sun or a fan pointed at the face causes warping and edge cracks, which is the most common defect on tablets. This is why tablets are not a good candidate for rush orders: speeding the drying shortens the lead time on paper and increases the reject rate in practice.
The practical consequence for design is that the final dimensions are a little smaller than the mold, by an amount the workshop learns from the first sample. Ask for the dried and polished dimensions to be recorded on the sample sheet, and base the cord, cap and pouch sizes on those figures, not on the mold drawing. Flat faces may also develop slight surface variation as they age; a matte finish hides this better than a polished one.
Quality checks for tablets should include flatness on a plate, edge integrity, hole position, relief definition under a raking light and a count against the order. A retained reference tablet from the approved sample allows later lots to be compared quickly.
Handling and care
Tablets are more brittle than beads because of their flat shape, so packing matters. Individual pouches or a tray with dividers prevent chipping in transit. Keep tablets dry and sealed with a desiccant, and avoid stacking heavy cartons on them. For the customer, a care card should say to keep the pendant dry and to wipe, not wash. A pendant worn against the skin may darken slightly with use, which is normal patina rather than a defect. Customers with sensitive skin can wear it on a cord over clothing.
Common questions at sampling
Buyers most often ask whether the relief can be deeper. It can, within limits: a deeper relief needs a slightly thicker tablet and slower drying. They ask whether the tablet can be burned; it is made to be worn, and burning belongs to the stick and pill lines. They ask whether colors can be added; natural pigments or leaf can be used, and the change must be declared. For jewelry brands the jewelry brands page explains how tablets fit a range.
Reference timelines are sample times of about 15-25 days for a custom design, including drying and aging, and production of about 25-40 days for regular volumes; these are confirmed in writing for each program. Send your outline, artwork and quantity through the quote form, and read the ranges on MOQ and lead time.