10 Common Gummy Shapes in Supplement Manufacturing

When it comes to dietary supplements, gummies have become one of the most popular delivery formats worldwide. They are convenient, tasty, and approachable for all age groups—from children to seniors. But beyond flavor and formula, the shape of a gummy plays a surprisingly important role in consumer appeal, brand differentiation, and even dosage control.

Imagine two brands offering the same collagen or multivitamin formula. One chooses a standard bear shape, while the other offers the same nutrients in star or heart gummies. On the retail shelf, the second product immediately stands out, sparking curiosity and emotional connection. Shape is more than just aesthetics—it creates a story and helps consumers associate the product with specific benefits, whether it’s wellness, love, fun, or energy.

From a branding perspective, gummy shapes are a powerful tool. Classic gummy bears carry a nostalgic charm and remain timeless bestsellers. Fruit-inspired shapes like apples and berries highlight naturalness and freshness, while stars and hearts connect to specific themes such as sleep, beauty, or emotional well-being. By aligning shape with formula, brands can build stronger product positioning and resonate with their target audience.

Nutreebio has been seeing an increasing number of clients requesting custom gummies. To better showcase our gummy shapes, I spent a week compiling and photographing the shapes of our existing gummy samples. In this blog post, we'll explore the 10 most common gummy shapes used in supplement production—from classic bears to unique custom shapes—and explain why each continues to capture consumers' attention in this competitive market.

Gummy Bears

When people think of gummy supplements, the first image that comes to mind is almost always the gummy bear shape. This classic form has a long history—it was first popularized in Germany in the early 20th century and quickly spread worldwide through the success of gummy candies. Over time, supplement manufacturers adopted the same bear design, capitalizing on its universal recognition and nostalgic appeal. Today, gummy bear shapes remain a symbol of fun, sweetness, and accessibility, making them one of the most iconic and best-selling gummy shapes in both candy and nutritional supplements.

The enduring popularity of gummy bears lies in their versatility. A bear shape can be adapted to almost any formula, whether it’s multivitamins for kids, collagen for beauty, or immunity blends for adults. Its friendly and familiar appearance appeals to all ages, breaking down the psychological barrier that some consumers may have toward taking supplements. In fact, many first-time gummy supplement users often start with bear-shaped products because they feel approachable, trustworthy, and easy to enjoy.

Another reason gummy bears continue to thrive in the supplement market is the range of mold variations available. At Nutreebio, we commonly produce both "small bears" and "large bears", each with subtle differences in detail and consumer perception.

• Small gummy bears: Typically about 2 cm tall, 1 cm wide, and less than 0.5 cm thick. These are bite-sized, making them easy to chew and ideal for children’s formulations or products with higher serving sizes.
• Standard gummy bears: Also about 2 cm tall but slightly wider (just over 1 cm) and thicker (slightly above 0.5 cm). This gives a fuller mouthfeel, better suited for adult supplements where one or two gummies deliver a complete dose.

These dimensional differences may seem minor, but they have a significant impact on consumer experience and dosage design. A smaller bear may deliver a lower active ingredient load, requiring multiple gummies per serving, while a standard bear allows more room for actives and flavor balance. From a branding perspective, small vs. large bear shapes can also be positioned differently—one emphasizing playfulness, the other emphasizing satisfaction and indulgence.

For supplement brands, the gummy bear shape is a safe yet powerful choice. It bridges tradition and innovation, offering both familiarity and flexibility. Whether you are launching a kids’ multivitamin or a high-end wellness gummy, starting with a bear-shaped design ensures instant recognition and broad consumer acceptance.

Gummy Apple

Among all fruit-inspired gummy designs, the gummy apple stands out as the most searched and recognized shape. With over 1,900 monthly searches on Google, it has become the top-performing fruit gummy shape in terms of consumer interest. The reason is simple—apples are universally associated with health, wellness, and nutrition. This makes the apple shape a natural fit for dietary supplements, where visual cues instantly reinforce product positioning.

The apple design is highly brandable and easy to recognize. Whether displayed on retail shelves or featured in digital marketing campaigns, the apple shape instantly communicates freshness and vitality. For supplement brands, this visual association helps build trust and consumer connection. An apple gummy doesn’t just deliver nutrients—it embodies the idea of “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” aligning perfectly with health-conscious lifestyles.

The gummy apple shape has also found a strong niche in the apple cider vinegar (ACV) gummy market. ACV gummies are one of the fastest-growing supplement categories worldwide, and pairing the formula with an apple-shaped design feels authentic and intuitive. Consumers immediately understand the link between the active ingredient and the product’s appearance, which enhances both appeal and credibility.

Beyond its symbolism, the apple shape also offers creative flexibility in flavor and appearance. Manufacturers can use dual-color molding to create two-tone or dual-flavor combinations, such as red and green for sweet-and-sour apple, or red and yellow for apple-mango fusion. This not only makes the product visually striking but also creates a memorable tasting experience that reinforces brand identity.

For brands looking to capture consumer attention while staying closely tied to the theme of natural wellness, the gummy apple shape is a high-impact choice. Its balance of recognition, symbolism, and versatility makes it one of the most powerful tools in supplement product design.

Gummy Berry (Raspberry Shapes)

Another highly popular design in supplement manufacturing is the gummy berry shape, often modeled after raspberries. What makes this shape stand out is its textured surface, which features small bumps and granules that closely resemble the natural look of real fruit. Unlike flat or smooth molds, berry-shaped gummies have a three-dimensional feel that makes them visually appealing and enjoyable to chew.

One interesting aspect of gummy berries is that different factories produce molds with noticeable variations. Some emphasize a rounder, fuller raspberry silhouette, while others design sharper granule details for extra realism. This variability means that even within the same category, a brand can differentiate its product by choosing a mold with unique textures, allowing the gummy to look more premium or playful depending on the market.

The berry shape is especially effective in highlighting the “natural fruit” concept. Consumers often associate raspberries with freshness, antioxidants, and health benefits. Using this shape not only makes the gummy visually attractive but also helps position the supplement as closer to nature, even if the formulation contains functional ingredients beyond fruit extracts.

Creatine Gummies – Our best-selling berry-shaped gummy, known for its precise creatine dosage and exceptional appearance. The raspberry granule texture brings a premium look, which I captured with a macro lens, shows clear and detailed shapes. It has become one of our flagship samples that consistently impresses customers. This is also one of my favorite gummies.

Shilajit Gummies – A rare combination in the market, this raspberry shape is very unique and rarely seen on the market. This design instantly catches the eye because it is less common, giving brands a point of difference.

Energy Gummies – A classic use of the raspberry shape, closely resembling standard berry gummies in the market. This form factor communicates vitality and fruit-forward appeal, making it an ideal choice for energy and performance products.

Thanks to its high search volume (around 1,300 monthly searches for “gummy berry”) and its strong connection with the idea of fruit-based health, the raspberry gummy remains one of the most versatile and impactful gummy shapes for supplement brands.

Gummy Stars

The gummy star shape has become a true favorite in the supplement market, especially for children’s products. Its playful, friendly appearance sparks instant joy, making it one of the most appealing options for younger consumers. Parents also appreciate the star shape because it feels fun and approachable, helping kids look forward to taking their daily supplements instead of resisting them. With over 1,600 monthly searches on Google, gummy stars are among the most in-demand gummy shapes.

Beyond the children’s market, the star shape also carries strong symbolic associations. Stars are often linked to the night sky, rest, and dreams—making this design particularly popular for sleep and mood-support gummies. Many melatonin and relaxation products use a star mold to reinforce their theme. When consumers see a star-shaped gummy, they subconsciously connect it with bedtime and calming routines, which adds another layer of marketing appeal.

From a manufacturing perspective, star-shaped gummies offer flexibility in design. At Nutreebio, we commonly produce two variations:

Thinner stars – Sleeker in appearance, with sharper edges, often used when brands want a light and delicate presentation. These are suitable for low-dose formulas where smaller volume is sufficient.

Thicker stars – Chunkier in design, giving a fuller bite and stronger presence. These are ideal for formulations with higher active loads or when a brand wants the gummy to stand out visually in the bottle.

The versatility of the star shape makes it a cross-generational favorite—playful enough for kids’ products, yet meaningful enough for adults seeking functional supplements tied to rest, relaxation, and emotional balance. Whether it’s for a bedtime routine gummy or a cheerful multivitamin, the star shape remains a powerful way to capture consumer attention and connect with lifestyle needs.

Gummy Hearts

The gummy heart shape is one of the most emotionally resonant designs in supplement manufacturing. Universally associated with love, care, and health, the heart shape goes beyond being just a candy mold—it tells a story. For brands, this symbolic value creates an instant connection with consumers, making it a popular choice for formulations that emphasize beauty, wellness, or emotional well-being.

In the supplement industry, heart-shaped gummies are especially common in collagen and beauty blends, where the shape reinforces the theme of self-care and confidence. Many of our customers specifically request their collagen gummies in a heart mold, noting that the design feels elegant and uplifting—perfect for marketing toward women’s health, beauty, and lifestyle audiences. The association with “love yourself” or “give love” also makes heart gummies ideal for products marketed as gifts or seasonal promotions.

From a visual standpoint, the heart mold works beautifully with red and pink color palettes. These shades naturally complement the shape, giving it a vibrant, eye-catching look that stands out on retail shelves. Whether made with strawberry, raspberry, or pomegranate flavors, a heart gummy not only delivers nutrients but also enhances the overall sensory experience, reinforcing both taste and visual appeal.

Gummy Flowers

The gummy flower shape is a natural favorite for supplements targeting beauty and women’s health. Flowers universally symbolize elegance, vitality, and renewal, making this design an excellent choice for products such as collagen blends, hair–skin–nail formulas, or women’s multivitamins. When paired with floral or fruit-inspired flavors like rose, hibiscus, or berry, flower-shaped gummies create a cohesive sensory story that appeals strongly to female consumers.

One of the most unique aspects of flower-shaped gummies is the variety of mold designs available. Depending on the factory and tooling, the petals can appear rounded and soft for a delicate look, or more angular and detailed for a bold, standout effect. These subtle differences in petal depth, symmetry, and layering allow brands to create distinctive visuals even within the same shape category. A flower gummy can therefore be positioned as playful and youthful, or refined and premium, simply by choosing the right mold.

The flower mold also works well with bright and natural color choices—from pastel pinks and purples for beauty-focused products to vibrant yellows and oranges for mood or energy gummies. This flexibility allows the flower shape to stand out in a crowded marketplace while maintaining a strong connection to its theme of natural wellness and feminine care.

By combining symbolism, detail, and visual versatility, the gummy flower shape has established itself as a popular option for brands looking to attract health-conscious women and differentiate their products with a touch of beauty-inspired design.

Square Gummies

The square gummy shape is all about simplicity and functionality. With clean lines and a minimalist appearance, it doesn’t rely on playful or symbolic designs—instead, it emphasizes practicality. This makes square gummies particularly popular for functional nutritional supplements, where the focus is on dosage precision and professional appeal rather than decorative shapes.

Because each gummy has the same volume, it's easier to control the active ingredient content, which is particularly important for our factory, which requires precise control to comply with GMP regulations and FDA standards. Last month, a US customer of ours finally decided to use a square shape for its functional blends, such as magnesium gummies and multivitamin gummies, as they felt this would highlight their simple and reliable positioning.

The coatings on the square-shaped gummies in the picture above are different. The one in the upper right corner is the most common sugar coating, and the green square is the carnauba wax coating. If you are interested in the coating of gummies, you can read my article: 6 Types of Gummy Coatings.

Another advantage of the square gummy is its packaging efficiency. Squares are easy to stack and fit neatly into bottles, jars, or sachets, helping brands maximize space while minimizing packaging costs. This compact presentation is attractive for both B2B buyers and consumers, especially in markets where portability and convenience matter.

Although less playful than bears or stars, square gummies carry a modern and professional aesthetic, making them an excellent option for brands that want to emphasize science-backed nutrition and practicality.

Gummy Buttons

The gummy button shape—sometimes also described as a pudding shape or mini round gummy—is small, circular, and irresistibly cute. Its compact size makes it highly appealing for the children’s supplement market, where approachable designs encourage kids to take their daily vitamins without resistance. Parents appreciate button-shaped gummies because they are easy to handle, chew, and portion out.

One of the biggest advantages of button gummies is ease of dosage control. Their smaller volume allows for flexible serving sizes, whether it’s one gummy per day for toddlers or multiple gummies for older children or adults. This adaptability makes the button mold suitable not only for children’s products but also for supplements targeting seniors, who may prefer smaller, softer pieces that are easier to chew.

Visually, gummy buttons can be made in a wide range of bright, playful colors—from orange and yellow to green and red—making them attractive in transparent bottles or mixed assortments. This rainbow effect is often used to create excitement for multivitamin formulas.

Koala Gummies

The koala gummy shape is one of the most unique and eye-catching molds available in supplement manufacturing. Many people confuse the koala shape with a bear, but it's actually a koala. Inspired by the beloved Australian animal, this cartoon-style design instantly stands out from traditional fruit or geometric gummies. Its charm lies in its rarity—while gummy bears and hearts are common across the global market, koala gummies are far less frequently seen, which makes them a powerful differentiation tool for brands.

This design is particularly appealing to our clients in Australia and parts of the Asia-Pacific market, where the koala is a cultural icon, symbolizing kindness and care. An Australian client who recently commissioned a koala-shaped gummy told me she believes that for international brands, using the koala shape can be a fun and memorable branding element, helping to generate buzz and boost shelf appeal.

By choosing a koala design, brands can inject a sense of fun and exclusivity into their product line. Whether for children’s vitamins, family-friendly multivitamins, or even novelty functional gummies, koala gummies create an instant emotional connection that sets a brand apart.

Dome / Rainfall Gummies

The dome-shaped gummy—also known as rainfall or raindrop gummies—offers a simple yet highly effective design. Its rounded, bullet-like silhouette delivers a fuller mouthfeel, giving consumers a satisfying bite that feels premium compared to thinner or flatter gummy shapes.

Because of their compact yet substantial structure, dome gummies are especially popular in the energy and sports nutrition categories. Many brands choose this shape for products such as caffeine gummies, electrolyte blends, or pre-workout formulas, where a bold and powerful appearance matches the functional positioning of the product.

From a manufacturing perspective, the dome mold is also efficient and versatile. Its smooth curves allow for easy demolding and consistent weight distribution, which helps ensure accurate dosing of active ingredients. Many of Nutreebio’s customers select dome or rainfall shapes as their go-to option for custom formulations, precisely because the design is simple, scalable, and consumer-friendly.

While dome gummies may not carry symbolic meanings like stars or hearts, their practicality and enjoyable texture make them a reliable and popular choice for brands that want a straightforward yet appealing design.

Conclusion

While bears, apples, berries, stars, hearts, flowers, squares, buttons, koalas, and domes are among the most common gummy shapes, they are by no means the only options. Other creative molds—such as worms, banana-shaped gummies, or even fully custom designs—also exist and can be tailored to match a brand’s unique vision. The world of gummy supplements is not limited to function alone; shape is a storytelling element that influences how consumers experience and remember your product.

At Nutreebio, we specialize in bringing these ideas to life. Our team works with a wide range of industrial-grade molds that guarantee consistency, stability, and scalability for large production runs. Whether you need a timeless classic like gummy bears or want to stand out with a rare design like koalas or raindrops, we ensure that every gummy maintains the highest quality standards in both appearance and performance.

Whether you want a classic bear or a custom brand-exclusive design, we can help bring your gummy ideas to life. Reach out to us today and let’s create a gummy that perfectly represents your brand.