How to start a Clothing Company

Hi guys
Firstly, great website!
I am from South Africa and am in the process of launching a range of men's shirts (dress shirts). Having studied accounting, I have no fashion experience what so ever, but my wife did study fashion design and worked in the industry for quite some time so she has been guiding me and was able to introduce me to all her contacts.
So, my question... (and I see there was a similar one earlier)
What is the best ay to start a clothing line with limited capital?
I have had a few shirts made up (my first batch), so a few colours in each size. I can't afford to go and have 100's of shirts made up.
Should I sell the few I have, use the profit to expand and do the same again with the second batch and carry on like that? or is a loan the only option, and use that to have those 100's made up.
It feels like it has taken me forever to get this far and this step seems to be the trickiest of them all.
I would apprectiate any feedback and help.
Cool, thanks!
Cheers

First of all i would like to thank this website for all of this information it has provided to me as well as all of the opportunity it has given to me.

Now, to ask my question.

1. I would like to now where and how you guys got the money to open and start your clothing line.

2. For me wanting to start my own company i would like to now how you guys got your product ideas as well as so of its designs concepts.

3. i would like to no how you guys approached the stores to sell your product as well as your clothing designs.

4. When starting off how much money did you start off with as well as did you use any investors.

5. and for my 5th and finally question i would like to no how much is your monthly sales if possible.

yo,

I am wondering what's the best way to go about getting your t-shirts and other clothing into stores and boutiques-- is it best to arrange a meeting and start pitching your company? How does that whole process typically work? And once they agree to sell your tee's, what percentage of profit do you allow them for each shirt? Or do you sell them a bundle of tee's for a whole sale price? The shirts i will be selling will be retail $20. Thanks a lot!

What is best way to put colorful art onto shirts? The shirts used by Pyknic Clothing, are they silk screened or heat pressed? Also, how many shirts should I make of each design to sell or should I use heat press to make when I can sell them? I don't have option to buy so many shirts and not be able to sell them, what are my options?

Tom Lee

How can I move my tshirt company up when I'm working 8-5, 7 days a week and cant quit my job cuz have lots of bills to pay for me and my family? XD

Really, the comment (more than a question) pops out of the fact that I've noticed most clothing companies have been started by people that either are in college/have some degree of free time/live with their parents (so they can afford to gamble $ on the company)...... I ask because I need some moral support here!

I know Johnny Cupcakes said that you can't give 50%-50%, but I honestly can't quit my day job and I have almost no time for myself...but my tshirts are freaking awesome! I just don't have the time to sell them.

Im designing tshirts in Photoshop right now but i know i should convert these to vector in Illustrator, the problem is is that i have about 100 designs done already. Could i turning all my designs into a halftone result in me not having to rebuild all the designs again in illustrator???

Thanks Guys

Ok, another question. Where do you go to look for manufacturers when you're ready to introduce cut and sew? I have had no luck even finding a company to manufacture jeans in the USA. I'm not sure if you guys have cut and sew lines, but maybe you know where to look?

Thanks guys

wondering what the store owners cost price per tee was ...when they first started. as obviously as they have gotten bigger their minimums would have increased and some maybe have had to get their tees produced china. rather than most american apparel brands.

Hi

To everyone, in the branding world everyone needs a decent theme. What theme do you consider yourself in, which do you think are overused, and what sort of new thing do you want to see? And also would you consider emptees a good place for advertising? Like having the guy post it on?

To Stereo Bear, how long was it before you could sell shirts with just your logo? It's something interesting I haven't seen in brands like yourself, except maybe JC,but even they usually some sort of play on the logo. Plus you print it in tons of different colorways, and the still somehow sell. How do you do that? The only brands that can get away with that are big corporations like DC. And how was it approaching GM to do something that didn't have gore on it.

To Linty Fresh, How does it feel not being able to ship your own orders, in your own office with Chuppa Chupps.........................

Thanks

cool idea Jon, here are a few questions for you to consider

1. What has been your best piece of marketing/advertising & why did it work
2. What was the worst marketing/advertising idea
3. What is your best seller

Where are the answers? I've got questions!

:P

Hi,

Just wondering what your average sales are for a normal month/day? I mean how many shirts do you sell?

Thanks,

mrjack92

I think it's John and Michael Paul from Fuzzy Ink, where do you get your tube mailers they are awesome!

Also would like to know some figures on how much each of the guys interviewed sell monthly (if they mind sharing it). As well as maybe some more in depth explanation about selling your clothes wholesale.

Cheers,

I have same question with BenjaminD. Ive seen many tips about how to start a clothing company and e-commerce but cant seem to find anything about picking the right shopping cart service. thnx :)

Did any of you approach investors when starting out? If so, how did you go about it, what info did you bring them and could you give an example of a fair investment agreement?

(Jon, this might be a good article too)

that sounds great Jon. would you be able to list some printers and show examples of what they can produce (also rough cost). as its all very well to explain importance of creative packaging and show images of cool examples. but it helps to have names of places that create them so then you can send them an email of what you want to create and request a quote. as thats the problem im having finding the right printers.

cheers mate

Some shopping cart services like shopify say they take care of search engine optimization for you, and know what algorithms google uses to get your site to show up better in search engines. Is it worth it to pay that kind of money for Shopify, or does BigCartel do the same thing at a better price? I'm at a loss on deciding what Shopping cart service, if any, to use.
Thanks guys, love the site.

Hey Brendan I think I might do your creative packaging as an article instead of a question.

Hi Jon,

any further progress into a an article on creative packaging for t-shirts?

What is the most effective thing you guys did to advertise your company? The least effective? What percentage of your budget is spent on promotional materials (other than the ones you include in orders)?

Also, what is a great place to buy customized, wholesale snapback flat bill caps (like the starter caps from the 90's). I also need a a place to find varsity/baseball jackets for wholesale to be customized. I searched onlice everywhere and cant find anything!!! Thanks again guys!

recommendations for places to get creative packaging printed.
and rough guide to the cost of this

Hey:)
I was wondering how you guys approached trying to get into shops. Did you make appointments, walk ins etc.
Thanks=]

Sup fellas,

Firstly thanks for giving us this opportunity, im honored if any of the top clothing companies could answer my questions ^^

How long did it took for your clothing line to achieve a comfortable fan base and sales figure?

Is it best to gain personal popularity say through DBH or Threadless before actually opening a clothing company? or you just go with it!

How far can you really trust your printer? where im living, imitation is everywhere. Aren't you guys afraid you printer might print extra tees behind your back and sells em at flea market lol. Im not sure any of you guys willing to take legal action against these people, waste a lot of money and time correct? any ways to prevent this from happening?

How do you deal with suppliers minimum orders? packaging, printing, tees, tags, all require minimum order. last time i check in my country label tags requires 5k minimum order, 1k for box, 500 pieces for tees. some supplier do take very minimum orders but they charge very high, which result in higher cost. this is very difficult for someone who is starting clothing company. problem is those who ask for high minimum orders are the best suppliers.. i dont wish to settle for 2nd best quality. is there any way around it? so many cut throat suppliers out there especially where i live ~sigh~

well thats all i guess... thnx so much ^^

My question is how can i present my product to a hip hop themed/sneaker boutique to pick up my line from the get go? I see places selling local designed shirts that i dont feel are nearly as nice as mine, im still; in the planning process of my business right now. Thanks for you help!

Hey guys,
I was wondering how did you guys start your clothing line?
And how big did you started with? ALso, for us beginners, what is the next step after we have our design? How do you market it?
Thanks

Check out the marketing section of this site. There is a lot of great information there.