Wondering how to start your own clothing line? Launch a reputable brand with high-quality custom merchandise without a physical store or inventory.
This guide explains how to start a clothing brand step by step. We’ll cover eCommerce essentials, apparel options, budget-friendly business models, marketing strategies, and expert tips on creating a fashion brand from home.
Keep reading to learn how to make custom clothes with unique designs and turn an idea into an eCommerce powerhouse.
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Why start an online clothing business?
There are multiple reasons why starting an online clothing business is a good idea:
- Low startup costs. Opening an online business requires less upfront investment than a traditional retail store. This makes it a more accessible option for aspiring entrepreneurs with limited funds.
- Flexibility and convenience. An online business allows entering the clothing industry from anywhere at any time.
- Global reach. Having your own business online helps reach customers worldwide – expanding your market and increasing your sales potential.
- Easy to manage and scale. Online businesses can be managed and scaled more easily compared to on-site ones. This can help you grow your clothing business quickly and efficiently.
The custom clothing market is predicted to generate revenue of $78.9 billion by 2027.
How much does it cost to start a clothing line?
There are multiple ways to enter the fashion industry, each with different financial obligations. Print on Demand (POD) shines for its low upfront costs – ideal for new entrepreneurs.
POD is unique in its approach. The printing and shipping of your items occur only after somebody purchases from you, minimizing initial expenses and carbon footprint.
Other business models like wholesale, white-label manufacturing, and creating your own clothing line require more serious financial investments.
Wholesale involves purchasing in bulk and reselling, which means significant monetary investments for products and storage. Similarly, white-label manufacturing requires investment in customizing generic products with your branding.
Making your own clothing is the most demanding option – financially and time-wise. It involves design development, fabric research and testing, and manufacturing costs.
The key to each model is to combine your creativity with a business strategy. For POD, the primary expenses are design creation and marketing, while others extend to production and inventory. Setting aside a marketing budget to reach your potential shoppers is a must, regardless of the model.
Consider these factors while selecting a suitable route into the fashion market, balancing your budget, creative vision, and business goals.
Make it happen today!
Ultimate guide: How to start a clothing line in 10 steps
Starting a clothing line can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, but it also comes with challenges. To help you navigate the process of starting a clothing line, check out our guide outlining the ten most important steps you need to take.
1. Understand your market
When designing and producing clothing, it’s essential to understand your target market.
This means researching to gain insight into your future customers’ needs, preferences, and purchasing habits. You’ll need to identify opportunities and gaps in the market and develop products that will resonate with your target audience.
Conducting research before designing and producing clothing can help you make informed decisions and increase your chances of business success.
- Identify your target audience. Start by defining the specific people you want to reach with your clothing. This could be based on age, gender, location, interests, or income level.
- Conduct surveys and interviews. Reach out to potential customers and ask them about their clothing preferences and purchasing habits. Use online surveys, in-person interviews, or focus groups to gather this information.
- Analyze market trends. Research fashion trends and developments to identify opportunities and challenges in the market with the help of Google Trends. This can help you create products that align with consumer demands.
- Monitor your competitors. Keep an eye on what your competitors are doing, and pay attention to their products, pricing, marketing, and distribution strategies. This can help you differentiate your products and avoid making common mistakes.
2. Write a business plan
A business plan is crucial for any enterprise. It’s a written document outlining your business goals, strategies, and action plans.
A well-crafted business plan can help you communicate your vision to potential investors, partners, and customers. It also serves as a roadmap for the growth and development of your business.
Make sure to include these key components in your business plan:
- Executive summary. A brief business overview, including your mission, vision, and primary goals.
- Market analysis. This section should feature detailed research on your target market, including consumer demographics, preferences, and fashion industry purchasing habits.
- Unique selling points. What sets your clothing line apart from your competitors? It could be unique aesthetics, sustainable materials, or a social or environmental mission.
- Production and distribution. Outline your production process, including your sourcing, manufacturing, and logistics strategies. It should also have information about your distribution channels and how you plan to reach your customers.
- Financial projections. Including revenue, expenses, and profitability. This can help you understand the potential financial position of your business.
3. Choose a business name
Your business name is the first thing people will see when they encounter your clothing line. Choosing one that’s unique, memorable, and reflective of your brand’s identity is essential.
It shouldn’t be too narrow – for example, one like Higgin’s Leggings might rob you of an opportunity to offer different products as your brand evolves.
Use these tips when choosing a business name for your clothing line:
- Keep it simple and easy to remember. A good business name should be easy to pronounce, spell, and remember. Avoid using complex words or phrases that are difficult to pronounce.
- Be unique. Your business name should stand out from your competitors and be memorable to potential customers. Avoid using generic or common words already used by other businesses in your industry.
- Reflect your brand’s identity. It should convey the essence of your brand and what sets it apart from others.
- Check availability. Before settling on a business name, check its availability and trademark status to avoid potential legal issues.
4. Acquire a business license
A business license is a legal document that allows you to operate your business within the confines of the law.
To obtain a business license for your own clothing line, make sure that you:
- Determine your business structure. Choose a business structure that best fits your business needs and goals, such as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. This will determine your business’s legal and financial responsibilities and the process for obtaining a business license.
- Register your business. Do this through your local government or state agency, which typically involves filling out an application and paying a fee. Creating a legal entity for your business allows you to operate while protecting your personal assets.
- Obtain permits and licenses. Depending on your business activities and location, you may need to obtain additional authorizations. This could include licenses for selling products, using certain materials, or operating in specific locations.
- Comply with regulations. Ensure that your clothing business complies with all relevant regulations and laws, including those related to taxes, labor, and health and safety. This will help you avoid legal issues in the future.
You don’t necessarily need an LLC (Limited Liability Company) to start your own clothing line, but it can be beneficial for several reasons:
- Liability protection. LLC offers personal liability protection. So, if your clothing brand gets into legal issues or owes debts, your personal assets, for the most part, remain safe.
- Professionalism and credibility. Using an LLC can help customers, suppliers, and potential investors develop brand trust.
- Separation of personal and business finances. An LLC assists in keeping a clear distinction between personal and business-related finances.
Forming and managing an LLC requires some expenses and paperwork. We recommend seeking advice from a legal or business adviser to make the best choice for your circumstances. Operating as a sole proprietorship could be enough since you can shift to an LLC as your business expands.
5. Create a unique design
This is a defining step in the stages of how to start a clothing line with no experience, as it will help you stand out in the crowded fashion market.
Use these guidelines to bring your vision to life:
- Determine your brand’s identity. Define your brand’s unique characteristics, such as its aesthetic, mission, and target audience. This will serve as the foundation for your design process.
- Sketch your ideas. Use pencil and paper to sketch your design ideas. It’ll help with visualizing your concepts and making adjustments.
- Create product mockups. Use Product Creator (previously known as Printify’s Mockup Generator) or Placeit to help you see your ideas on products in real-life settings. If you like what you see, use these mockups in your online storefront.
- Work with a designer or manufacturer. Collaborate and bring your designs to life with physical prototypes or samples. This allows you to see your designs in real life and make any necessary adjustments. If you don’t personally know any designers, use a platform like Fiverr to hire a professional designer starting from just $5.
6. Find a clothing manufacturer
Find a manufacturer to produce your clothing by researching different companies and comparing their prices and capabilities.
Follow these steps to find a clothing manufacturer for your clothing line:
- Determine your production needs. Identify your production requirements, including the type of clothing you want to produce, the quantities you need, and your desired timeline.
- Research. Look into potential manufacturers by checking different Print Provider ratings in the Printify catalog. Or use online directories, industry publications, or referrals from other clothing designers in the Printify POD Rockstars Facebook group.
- Order product samples. Once you have identified a few potential manufacturers, order product samples to compare their printing quality.
Printify has a network of over 80 Print Providers in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, Canada, and China. Want to see how it compares to other POD companies? Check out Printify vs Printful and Gelato vs Printify.
7. Check the quality of your product
Before selling your clothing, make sure the quality meets your standards.
Order samples and inspect each piece of clothing, test the durability and fit, and ensure the clothing is made with high-quality materials.
Check the quality of your clothing samples with these tips:
- Look for defects. Carefully inspect each piece of clothing for loose threads, misaligned seams, or imperfections in the fabric or printing. This will help you identify and fix any issues before selling your clothing.
- Durability test. Wear and wash the samples to see how they hold up over time. Make sure your clothing is made to last and will meet your customers’ expectations.
- Check the fit. Ensure the clothing fits well and is comfortable to wear. Ask friends, family, or customers to try the samples and provide feedback on the fit and comfort of the clothing.
- Evaluate the materials. Check that the materials are of high quality and meet your standards. This includes the fabric, threads, buttons, and zippers.
8. Choose a sales channel
Choosing a sales channel is vital in starting a clothing line, as it determines how you reach your customers and sell your products.
Many different sales channels are available, including online marketplaces, eCommerce platforms, and your own website.
Consider these channels for your fashion line:
- Online marketplaces. Sites like Etsy and Amazon let you sell your products to a large and diverse audience of potential customers. These marketplaces provide a ready-made infrastructure for selling online but may also have high fees and competition.
- eCommerce platforms. Platforms such as Shopify and Squarespace let you create your own online store and sell your products directly to customers. These platforms offer a range of tools and features to help you manage and grow your business but may require a higher level of technical expertise.
- Your own eCommerce website. Creating your eCommerce website from scratch gives you full control of your online presence and customer experience. This can be a powerful way to build your brand and establish a direct relationship with your customers, but it can also require a significant investment of time and resources.
Ultimately, the right sales channel for your clothing line will depend on your business goals, budget, and target audience. It’s important to research and compare different sales channels to find the best fit for your needs.
9. Price your products right
Pricing your products right is crucial for the success of your clothing line. You need to strike a balance between making a profit and offering attractive prices to customers.
Research your market and competitors to determine a price range that’s fair and viable for your business. When you ask yourself – how much should I charge for my amazing products? The rule of thumb is adding at least 40% to the catalog price.
- Research your market. Find out the demand, the prices of similar items your competitors offer, and the overall price range for your product category.
- Consider your costs. Calculate the costs of producing and selling your products, including materials, labor, and overhead expenses. This will help you determine the minimum price you need to charge to make a profit.
- Test different prices. Experiment with different prices to see how they affect sales and customer feedback. You can use online tools or services, such as Optimizely, to conduct A/B testing and compare the performance of different prices.
- Adjust your prices. Monitor the performance of your prices over time and make adjustments as needed. This can include factors such as changes in demand, competition, or costs.
- Offer free shipping. Free shipping is an old marketing trick and one of the top buying incentives for shoppers worldwide. How to achieve it? Include shipping costs in the product price. Customers are more likely to pay $69 for a custom hoodie than $59 for the product and an additional $10 for shipping.
10. Begin marketing and selling your custom apparel
Drive awareness and interest in your brand using these methods:
- Develop a marketing plan. Create one that outlines your goals, target audience, and strategies for promoting your clothing line.
- Build a brand identity. Develop a unique and consistent brand identity that reflects the essence of your clothing line and differentiates it from your competitors. This includes elements such as your logo, color palette, tone of voice, and visual aesthetic.
- Engage with your customers. Do this via social media, email marketing, and on your website to build relationships and foster a community around your brand. This can help you gain insights into your customers’ preferences and needs and drive sales and loyalty.
- Collaborate with influencers. Partner with influencers who align with your brand and have a following of potential customers. Influencers can help promote your clothing line to their audience and drive interest.
- Offer promotions and discounts. Encourage customers to purchase your clothing by providing great deals. This can include discounts on your website, special offers for first-time buyers, or referral programs that reward customers for referring new ones.
Make it happen today!
Clothing items: What to pick for your fashion brand
If you’re wondering what to sell, begin with custom t-shirts. T-shirts are one the most popular garments in the world. With the right custom design, a t-shirt can reflect a brand or personal interests and identity.
Typically, a fashion startup begins its journey with a couple of t-shirt models and then expands to hoodies and beyond.
With the POD model, extending your product catalog and selling everything from apparel to footwear to hats and even swimsuits is easy. It requires only a great design idea and a marketing campaign.
Athleisure wear like leggings and custom hoodies have become massively trendy in recent years. According to Grand View Research, the global market for athleisure is expected to reach $662.56 billion by 2030. Therefore, it’s a style worth considering as you plan your clothing line.
Which business model is best for starting an online clothing store?
There are several business models to consider when starting clothing brands. Each model has its pros and cons, and the right choice depends on your goals, resources, and target audience. Let’s review the most common online clothing store business models.
The print-on-demand model
Create custom clothing designs through a POD platform like Printify and list them online for free on top eCommerce sites, such as Etsy or Shopify.
When a customer places an order in your store, with the help of a manufacturing facility, Printify prints your design on the item and ships it directly to them.
You’re only required to provide the designs and online marketing efforts to inform potential customers about your brand.
Pros:
- Low startup costs – no need to invest in inventory or fulfillment.
- Customizable and unique products.
- Easy setup and product design process with Printify.
Cons:
- Limited control over printing and fulfillment quality.
- Dependence on the reliability and capability of the POD platform.
- It may require more time and effort to create designs.*
*If you’re not an experienced fashion designer, you can always take advantage of the Printify x Shutterstock integration and choose from millions of high-resolution images to use in your clothing line offerings. Or hire an expert to do it for you.
Dropshipping business
In a dropshipping business model, you don’t hold any inventory or fulfill orders yourself. Instead, you partner with a manufacturer or wholesaler with the inventory and fulfillment capabilities.
When a customer places an order on your website, simply forward the details to the dropshipping supplier (for example, AliExpress). They’ll then ship the item directly to the customer on your behalf.
Pros:
- No need to invest in inventory or fulfillment.
- Easy to set up and manage.
- Flexibility to offer a wide range of products.
Cons:
- Lower profit margin and target price point.
- Limited control over fulfillment and customer service.
- Dependence on the reliability and quality of the manufacturer or wholesaler.
Private-label or white-label manufacturing
Using this model, your own fashion brand works hand in hand with an existing clothing manufacturer. They help you create your own clothing line with your label.
You can either design your clothing from scratch or choose from the manufacturer’s existing designs and customize them with your branding. You’re responsible for buying the clothing in bulk and selling it to customers.
Pros:
- Higher profit margins.
- Greater control over design, branding, and quality.
Cons:
- Requires investment in inventory, production costs, and fulfillment.
- Requires investment in inventory, production costs, and fulfillment. Limited flexibility to offer a wide range of products.
- Requires a strong relationship with the manufacturer and good communication.
Selling wholesale
In a wholesale model, you would purchase items from clothing manufacturers in bulk at a wholesale price. You’d then sell them on your website for a higher amount.
This means you must invest in inventory upfront and are responsible for fulfilling orders and handling returns.
Pros:
- Higher profit margins.
- Greater control over inventory and fulfillment.
- Opportunity to offer exclusive and unique products.
Cons:
- Requires investment in inventory and fulfillment.
- Limited flexibility to offer a wide range of products.
- Risk of inventory and cash flow setbacks.
Making your clothing
Making your own clothing refers to designing and producing clothing items in-house.
This model is popular among clothing brands that want to offer unique, high-quality products reflecting personal style and brand identity.
Pros:
- Complete control over product quality.
- Unique product offerings.
- More personalized branding and storytelling.
Cons:
- High start-up costs.
- Limited product selection.
- Longer production times.
How to start your own clothing brand with no experience using POD
With Printify, start realizing your clothing business idea without investing any money upfront in inventory or production. Follow these steps to start a clothing brand and enter the fashion industry using POD.
Sign up for Printify
Create a free Printify account to create products without investing in inventory or production equipment.
Design products easily
Use our beginner-friendly Product Creator to design your own clothing and products. Add up to ten layers, including photos and graphics. Add written statements with our text editor tool, create all-over-print designs with the pattern maker, or try our AI Image Generator.
Integrate a sales channel
Enter the fashion world and show off your clothing lines to customers worldwide by integrating your Printify account with an online platform or marketplace.
Connect with Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, Wix, or eBay. Printify has easy built-in integrations with these big names, making it easy to open your online store and sell either an existing clothing brand or start a brand-new business.
If you’re more tech-savvy, create a custom website using a platform such as WordPress and use the Printify API tool to integrate with your site. With a custom-built website, you can enjoy limitless customization.
Publish and start selling
Once you’ve created your clothing designs and set up your sales channel, it’s time to start selling your products.
- Publish your products on your chosen sales channel.
- Promote them through marketing and advertising efforts.
- Monitor your sales and customer feedback to improve your products and business strategy.
Make it happen today!
How to market your clothing brand
We’ve gathered a few tips on how to market your clothing line online.
Reach out to your existing network
Encourage friends, family, and colleagues to promote your small business via their social media pages – a common starting point for new clothing lines. Offer incentives like discounts or free items for referrals to motivate them to advocate for your brand.
Promote and engage using social media
Social media will help showcase your fashion brand and products and engage with potential customers.
Take advantage of the free tools and features available on these platforms to promote your brand without spending money on advertising.
Be sure to respond to comments, answer questions, and share relevant content to build a community and foster loyalty among your customer base.
Start blogging
Create a blog on your website and share informative and engaging content related to your clothing line and the industry. Establish your brand as a thought leader and attract potential customers through search engine optimization (SEO).
Collaborate with influencers and bloggers
Partner with influencers and bloggers in your target market to help promote your brand – reach a wider audience, and gain credibility.
Offer promotions and discounts
Encourage customers to try your products and build loyalty. For example, you could offer discounts on their first purchase or for referrals.
Invest in email marketing
Use email marketing to stay in touch with your customers and promote special offers and new products. This is a cost-effective way to build customer loyalty and drive sales.
Use visual marketing
Nowadays, captivating visuals are essential for branding. They enhance storytelling and audience engagement. Consider creating infographics, eye-catching images, or using auto video maker tools for crafting stunning video content that will leave a lasting impression, ultimately driving engagement and conversions.
Starting a clothing brand FAQs
Starting a successful fashion brand can be challenging. It requires a combination of creativity, business knowledge, and hard work. However, with dedication and a well-planned strategy, it’s possible. When you partner with Printify, you’ll soon see how rewarding it is since you only need to focus on two things – great designs and marketing.
First, determine your target market and design aesthetic. Then, develop a business plan and set goals. You’ll need to choose and register a brand name, create a collection, find a manufacturer, and develop a marketing and sales strategy.
When you enter the fashion industry with the POD business model, you can create your clothing line with almost zero investments.
Signing up with Printify is free, along with uploading your designs and creating product mockups. Starting a successful fashion business has never been this profitable and easy once you have a great design idea – no equipment is needed to start a clothing line with Printify.
Consider factors such as relevance to your target market and design aesthetic, memorability, and availability.
Conducting a trademark search is also important to ensure that other fashion brands don’t already use the name.
You’ll likely need to obtain a business license to operate an online clothing business.
The specific requirements will vary depending on your location and the type of business you’re starting. It’s important to research and comply with applicable laws and regulations in your area.
It depends on the company you partner with.
Many wholesale clothing suppliers allow you to add your own label to their products. This creates a unique brand identity and differentiates your products from other retailers. Printify offers several custom branding options, such as inserts, custom neck labels, and gift messages.
You’ll need to check this with your chosen manufacturer or supplier beforehand.
If you partner with Printify, you can and are encouraged to order samples. Quality control is important when launching your clothing line – your items must mirror your brand’s standards. Order samples to check the materials and ensure the actual product doesn’t differ from the mockup.
It depends on the business model you choose. White-label manufacturing and wholesale will always be more expensive than POD. POD does not include startup costs, meaning you keep all your profits.
Just remember to price your products right in this competitive fashion industry. Include all your expenses in the retail price and develop a winning marketing strategy to promote your new clothing line.
While deciding how to start a small clothing business from home, you need to choose the type of business model you’ll adopt. If you choose POD, you only need a computer or tablet, design ideas, and a small marketing budget.
You can also simply advertise on your social media accounts. So, as long as you have a device that’s connected to the internet, you’re on your way to a successful business.
If you’re opting for wholesale, private-label manufacturing, or making your own clothes, you’re going to need more significant financial investments, reliable manufacturers, and professional equipment.
Start a clothing-line business with POD: Final thoughts
Starting a clothing business with a POD service can be a cost-effective and flexible way to launch your brand. There’s no need to jump through the hoops of opening a traditional retail store.
Create custom clothing products without investing in inventory or production equipment. This allows you to test the market and refine your designs before making any major financial investments.
- Sign up for a POD service, such as Printify, and use the free design tools to create your apparel designs and products.
- Integrate your Printify account with a sales channel, such as an online store or marketplace, to begin selling your products.
- Use effective marketing strategies, like social media advertising, to promote your brand and reach your target customers.
By implementing these steps, you can successfully launch your clothing brand using POD services. Good luck on your entrepreneurial journey!
