Starting your own clothing line is a safe business idea considering it can be feasible regardless of its business size. With a-lot of capital, you can easily launch a major clothing line along with a physical store and be assured you’ll have a big audience for it, given clothing is a basic human need. On the other hand, if you do not have the luxury of a hefty budget, you can also choose to start a small-sized clothing business and cater to a targeted audience online to draw profits.
If a clothing business is considered to be a business opportunity of all sizes, what is the actual cost when starting a clothing line? In this article, I will discuss the costs involved when starting your own clothing line and focus on the minimum requirements to get your business venture going. Considering most people are only financially capable of starting small to mid-sized clothing businesses, this article is perfect for startup entrepreneurs who want to be ahead of the curve in the clothing industry.
Starting a Cost-Effective Startup Clothing Line
When starting out as a beginner in the clothing industry, it is advisable to begin as a small batch clothing manufacturer. This is the best way to test the waters and get to know your niche in the industry. You would not want to end up as any other failed clothing manufacturer which is why you need to establish an image and build up your reputation as a clothing business. By starting out with small orders, you engage in business but at the same time play it safe by not spending too much on clothing orders. A small clothing line cannot simply set foot in the industry with a big splash. Also, it’s crucial to collect customer feedback at the beginning and adjust your designs or focus accordingly.
Start By White Labeling or Private Labeling to Save Money
There are “play it safe” methods you can use when starting a clothing line. You can take the white label or private label routes and acquire clothing products in a cheap manner. This route allows you to purchase generic clothing items then resell them directly out there in the market. You can also choose to customize the products and add your own label or other prints to mark it as if they are your own branded products. White labeling and private labeling are popular options for a lot of clothing manufacturers because they can avoid the costs of product development and quickly print more shirts when needed.
The biggest expenses when starting your own custom clothing line (that is more than using existing designs) fall under the product development process. From sampling, manufacturing, materials and overhead costs, you’ll have to spend a big percentage of your starting capital on the product development process alone. The white label or private label route allows you to skip most of the expenditures mentioned above and quickly get into the business.
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The Cons of White Labeling or Private Labeling
I have already established that white labeling and private labeling are the cheapest ways to start a cost-effective clothing line. However, there are clear disadvantages to this route which holds back other clothing manufacturers. The biggest challenge is the ability to create your own image or reputation in the industry. Since you only resell generic products or modify existing clothing items, it may be difficult for you to stand out and push your own brand. You can be stuck in mediocrity but can be considered fair since you only started this clothing line with a few hundred bucks. There is a lot of competition and it is hard to stand out with just putting logos or prints on standard clothing.
Once you become a white label or private label clothing business, expect to face tough competition out there in the market. Your business will heavily rely on your marketing campaign and your ability to sell products despite having too many similarities from contemporaries. Then again, it boils down to your marketing skills since you cannot be assured your products will sell right away like a batch of hotcakes.
Starting with Truly Original Designs Will Cost More
If you are choosing the option of starting your own clothing line with unique and original clothing items, expect to spend at least $500 in product development for a single item alone. The costs tend to increase once there has been back and forth in the sampling process. Not to mention the expenses involved in manufacturing, packaging and shipping your clothing products. If you have $800 to $1000, this amount will be enough for you to safely launch your own clothing line with original designs.
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It is not discouraged to use the option of starting a clothing line with unique and original designs. But expect to spend more money for this clothing business option compared to the cost-effective private label or white label routes. However, if you are really confident of your original clothing designs, feel free to gamble and launch your authentic clothing line. If you are looking for a supportive company that can help you achieve your dream of having your own clothing line, contact Intrepid Sourcing. They can help any type of garment entrepreneur, regardless if you want to adapt standard designs or create very individual designs at the best rates in the market.
