How to Start a Clothing Business: From Idea to Production

Have you been daydreaming about launching your own clothing line but don’t know where to start?

Well, it’s time to stop dreaming and start designing!

With the right steps, starting your own clothing business can be an exciting and creative journey that combines your passion for fashion with smart business decisions.

This guide will walk you through every step of the process so you can be ready to start your clothing business—no matter your budget or experience level. Whether you dream of designing activewear, sustainable fashion, or bespoke designs, you’ll be ready to make your mark in the fashion industry.

Let’s get started!

5 Steps to Take Before You Begin Designing

1. Choose Your Clothing Niche

Your niche sets the foundation for your clothing business. Consider focusing on areas like activewear, streetwear, sustainable fashion, or customizable items. A defined niche helps you stand out in a crowded market and connect with the right audience.

2. Establish Your Target Audience

Think about who you’re designing for. Are you targeting busy professionals, fitness enthusiasts, or eco-conscious shoppers? Your audience’s needs and preferences will shape your design, materials, and pricing strategy.

3. Create a Brand Aesthetic

Develop a cohesive brand identity that reflects your business values. This includes your brand colors, logo, and overall style preferences. For example, an eco-friendly brand might lean toward earthy tones and minimalistic designs.

4. Decide on Your Production Method

Print on Demand (POD)

POD lets you design and sell items without holding inventory. When a customer orders a product, it’s printed and shipped directly to them.

Pros:

• Low upfront costs
• No inventory management
• Easy-to-test designs

Cons:

• Lower profit margins
• Longer shipping times
• Limited control over packaging

Best for: Small-scale businesses testing designs or those with limited startup funds.

Buying in Bulk

Buying in bulk refers to purchasing pre-made or custom-designed clothing items in larger quantities and storing them for sale.

Pros:

• Lower cost per unit
• Faster shipping times
• More control over quality and packaging

Cons:

• Higher upfront costs
• Risk of unsold inventory

Best for: Established brands or businesses with a clear understanding of their market demand.

5. Choose a Printing Style

The way you print your designs can make all the difference in how your clothing looks, feels, and sells. Whether you’re planning to produce in bulk or create one-of-a-kind pieces, choosing the right method is crucial in matching your style and budget.

Here’s a quick rundown of the most popular printing techniques and how they can work for your small business.

Screen Printing

Screen printing is one of the most common methods for customizing clothing. It uses stencils (or screens) to layer ink onto fabric, making it perfect for bold, simple designs with a few colors. It’s cost-effective for large orders and highly durable, but because of the setup involved, it’s less practical for intricate designs or small batches.

Direct-to-Garment (DTG)

Think of DTG as a printer for T-shirts. The design is printed directly onto the fabric, allowing for detailed, colorful prints without needing stencils. This method is ideal for small orders or complex designs with lots of colors or gradients. While the quality is excellent, it can be slower and pricier for large orders.

Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)

HTV involves cutting a design from vinyl sheets and using heat to press it onto fabric. It’s an excellent option for small orders or one-off customizations like adding names or numbers. It’s vibrant and eye-catching, but keep in mind that HTV isn’t as durable and may peel or crack with heavy use.

All-Over Sublimation Printing

If you want eye-catching, full-coverage designs, sublimation printing is the way to go. It uses heat to transfer dye into the fabric, resulting in smooth, vivid prints that cover the entire clothing article. This method works best on polyester and tends to be more expensive, but the results are stunning and perfect for standout pieces.

4 Popular Types of Clothing Material to Start With

Choosing the right material for your clothing line is key to creating pieces that fit your brand and meet customer expectations.

Let’s look at some popular options and what they’re best for.

1. Cotton

Cotton is a classic fabric for a reason. It’s soft, breathable, and durable, making it perfect for tees, onesies, and casual apparel. Cotton takes ink well, making it an excellent choice for screen printing and DTG—especially for bright, colorful designs. However, untreated cotton can shrink, so check for options of pre-washed items or make sure you disclose to your customers that there’s a possibility that the clothing item could shrink after washing.

• Pros: Ideal for activewear, quick-drying, and lightweight.
• Cons: Can retain odors and is less breathable.

2. Polyester

Polyester is a standout clothing material for activewear. It’s lightweight, quick-drying, and resistant to wrinkles, making it ideal for workout tops, leggings, and sports jerseys.

Polyester works exceptionally well with sublimation printing, which creates vibrant, all-over designs that won’t fade over time.

Polyester is a popular choice for workout gear because it’s lightweight and dries quickly. However, it’s not as breathable as some other fabrics, which makes it great for cold-weather activities. Just keep in mind that polyester can hold onto odors after a tough workout, so it’s a good idea to let your customers know they should wash their gear soon after using it.

• Pros: Lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, and quick-drying—perfect for sportswear.
• Cons: Less breathable and can retain odors.

3. Blends (e.g., cotton-poly)

If you want a balance of comfort and performance, blended fabrics like cotton-polyester mixes are worth considering.

These blends combine the softness of cotton with polyester’s durability, making them versatile options for hoodies, sweatshirts, and lightweight jackets. They’re a favorite for branded merchandise and casual activewear because they’re comfortable yet durable.

• Pros: Combine the best features of both fabrics.
• Cons: Slightly higher production costs.

4. Bamboo or Hemp

Bamboo and hemp fabrics are perfect for eco-friendly brands. Bamboo is soft, breathable, and moisture-wicking, making it great for yoga tops, tote bags, and loungewear.

Hemp is durable and sustainable, ideal for environmentally-conscious clothing lines. However, these fabrics tend to be more expensive and more complicated to source, making them better suited for niche brands.

• Pros: Sustainable, soft, and moisture-wicking.
• Cons: Higher material costs and limited availability.

Choosing the Right Clothing Styles for Your Brand

Now that you’ve laid the groundwork, it’s time to decide what type of clothing you want to make!

The types of clothes that sell well often depend on the season, current trends, and even the location of your target audience.

Here's a breakdown to help you choose styles that resonate with your customers and sell quickly:

Everyday Basics: Think wardrobe staples like white T-shirts, jeans, or little black dresses. These items are always in demand because they’re versatile, easy to style, and timeless.

Seasonal Styles: Seasons bring opportunities for specific clothing items. Warm coats in winter, breezy beachwear in summer, or waterproof raincoats in spring can drive seasonal sales.

On-Trend Fashion: Staying ahead of fashion trends can be a game-changer. Popular colors, bold patterns, or trendy design elements often become customer favorites, especially if you’re catering to a fashion-conscious audience.

Activewear and Sportswear: The growing interest in fitness and wellness has sparked a high demand for athletic gear. From moisture-wicking T-shirts to comfortable leggings, sportswear is a reliable category to consider.

Pro Tip: Choose clothing that resonates with your audience and reflects your brand’s personality. Whether it’s classic wardrobe staples or trendy seasonal styles, matching your products to what your customers want is the secret to driving sales.

Start Your Clothing Business Using LOGO.com

LOGO.com makes it simple to kickstart your clothing business. Use the Merchandise Editor to design and test your clothing ideas with customizable mockups for t-shirts, hoodies, and more.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Log in to your LOGO.com account and access the Merchandise Editor.
2. Upload your logo or clothing design and play with placement, colors, and scale.
3. Try out different mockups like t-shirts, hoodies, or tote bags to see how your design translates to various products.
4. Save your favorites and get feedback from friends or potential customers.

Once your designs are ready, you can easily set up a website to sell your products using LOGO.com x Wix.

Here’s how you can set up your online clothing store:

1. Click "Launch Website" in your LOGO.com dashboard to start building your store with Wix.
2. Create your storefront using Wix’s drag-and-drop editor to add products, pricing, and descriptions that showcase your designs.
3. Set up secure payment options and shipping methods so customers can order with ease
4. Use Wix’s SEO tools to optimize your new website and share your new clothing line on social media.

With tools to design, preview, and launch your clothing line, LOGO.com provides everything you need to bring your vision to life—all in one place.

Launch Your Clothing Business

Launching a clothing brand is an exciting blend of art and business. By combining your passion for fashion with smart decisions – like choosing great fabric and using a design and manufacturing service like LOGO.com to bring your designs to life and have a successful clothing business.

Whether you want to screen print a few tee shirts or build a full fashion label with multiple collections, your choices will shape your brand and make or break your business. The steps in this guide will help you do more than start a business—you can create a brand that you love and that your customers will adore.

Now is the time to take the first step and make your dream a reality!