Guides
How to start a clothing brand: steps, labels and packaging
To start a clothing brand, pick one customer, design a small first collection, make samples, work out your costs, register the business, label the garments correctly and package them so they arrive in good shape. Most of the effort is sampling and sourcing. Packaging comes last, but plan it early because it changes your shipping cost.
No fashion degree is required. What you do need is a narrow idea and the patience to sample until the fit is right.
By Talha LoneUpdated
The steps, in order
- Pick a customer and a gap. The SBA says market research helps you find customers and lets you reduce risk before you launch.
- Design a small first range. A few pieces you can make the same way each time.
- Choose how it's made. Cut and sew, private label, or print on demand. Each has different minimums and control.
- Sample until it fits. Expect more than one round.
- Cost it. Fabric, making, labels, packaging, shipping, fees and returns.
- Register the business. See below.
- Label the garments. Required by law in the US, see below.
- Package and ship. The box is part of the product.
Costs, registration and licenses
The SBA's guide to startup costs recommends counting at least one year of monthly expenses, and adding a little extra, say 10%, for what you can't predict. Pick a structure from the SBA's business structure guide: a sole proprietorship is easy but leaves you personally liable, while an LLC generally protects personal assets.
Licenses depend on where you are. The SBA notes that states tend to regulate a broader range of activities than the federal government, and that you may need county or city permits too.
Labels are the part people forget
Under the Textile Act, the FTC says a clothing label must show fiber content by percentage, the country of origin, and the manufacturer or dealer name or RN number. Care instructions are covered by a separate rule. The details are in the FTC's textile labeling guide.
Get label sizes and wording settled before production. Fixing a label after 500 garments are made is expensive.
Packaging for a clothing brand
| Option | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| [Apparel boxes](/custom-apparel-boxes/) | Gifts and premium pieces | Folded garments, tissue, brand on the lid |
| [Mailer boxes](/custom-mailer-boxes/) | Shipping structured items | Goes in the mail on its own |
| Poly mailers | Soft items such as tees | Cheap and light |
How to pack and ship is in how to ship clothes, and box sizing is in shipping box sizes. Shipping time counts too: the FTC's mail order rule says you need a reasonable basis for any shipping time you state, or must expect to ship within 30 days.
When not to start, and when not to order custom boxes
- You don't have a customer yet. Talk to ten people who'd buy before you sample.
- You want to beat fast fashion on price. Small brands win on fit and story, not price.
- The range isn't fixed. Order boxes after the sizes and products settle.
- You're under 50 shipments. A stock box with a printed sticker will cost you less. Custom starts at 50 units per design.
When you're ready, test with a small run. 50 units is enough to see how a box holds a real garment. Send the folded size of your biggest piece. We draw the box for free.
Frequently asked questions
How do I start a clothing brand with no experience?
Pick one customer, design a few pieces and make samples with a pattern maker or manufacturer. You can learn the rest as you go. No degree is required.
How much does it cost to start a clothing brand?
It depends on how you make the clothes. The SBA advises counting at least a year of monthly expenses and adding about 10% for the unexpected.
Do I need a business license to sell clothes?
Probably. The SBA says requirements vary by state, county and city, so check your Secretary of State and local government.
What must a clothing label include in the US?
Fiber content, country of origin and the maker's name or RN number. Care instructions are required under a separate FTC rule.
What packaging do I need for a clothing brand?
Poly mailers for soft items, mailer boxes for structured items and apparel boxes for gifts. Custom boxes start at 50 units per design.