Step-by-Step Process for Building Clothing Brand from Scratch
Building a clothing brand in the USA can be exciting and rewarding. And many enthusiasts want to start a clothing line in the USA. However, coming from a different background, they want to know what it takes to start this venture and make it a success. As a fashion tech pack designer and clothing manufacturer, I meet 5 to 6 people daily. They come to us with their dream of starting a clothing brand but have no information about how it works. They want consultation on steps and processes to follow. It’s been a long, pending discussion that has been ignored for a while. Today, I will give you the most awaited answers to the “How to Start a Clothing Line.” To help you navigate the process, here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
Here are some vital steps for building a fashion brand. I will give you the points first and discuss them in detail. So, let’s start with the steps.
Develop Your Brand Concept:
What makes your brand unique and distinct from other brands? Here, you need to define and find your Unique Selling Proposition. Begin by determining your brand identity, target market, and unique selling proposition. Identify your niche and understand the market trends and consumer preferences that align with your vision. This seems trivial initially, but this is how people will know and remember you going forward. So, please take this seriously and work on it with utmost dedication.
Create a Business Plan:
Starting any business involves cost; you have no aid or investment when you start something. So, whatever you invest, it will be from your pocket and savings. So, make a wise decision and make sure whatever you spend is worth it. I have seen people who have made the bare minimum investment and made a fortune out of it. I am sure there must be people around you as well. Outline your business goals, strategies, and financial projections in a comprehensive business plan. This will serve as a roadmap for your clothing brand’s success and help you secure funding if needed.
Conduct Market Research:
Knowing what people want is essential. No matter how saturated the market is, there is always some void. The trick is to find out that and build your brand around it. So, to make your brand a success, you must know what people want, what the current market is offering, and at what cost. To do so, you need to dive deep into market research. You can gain some insight into the target audience, your competitors, pricing, and how they supply. Try to understand the consumer preference and the emerging trends. Also, figure out the potential gap in the market that your brand can fill. This is an ongoing process starting from the beginning.
Register Your Business:
Now that you have done so much, it is time to give shape to your business. You can do this by providing a legal structure for your clothing brand. And register it with the appropriate federal authorities. Get the necessary licenses and permits to operate legally. It would help if you began trademarking your brand name and logo for protection. After doing everything, many people ask me to change their brand name and logo. This they do right before apparel production. This is a costly affair, and you end up paying much extra. So, my advice is to do it in the beginning.
Know your Collection Line Sheet:
Realizing what you see when you think of a brand is essential. Do you want to build a collection line sheet and showcase it in a show? Or You want to take things continuously and regularly to develop your business. Pick a line that fits your concept and investment capacity because accept that you can not offer anything and everything. The point often overlooked by new apparel brands is they try to create a complete collection—a mix collection for men’s wear, women’s wear, and kidswear. If you are doing this, stop there. You have one style from each segment. Are you serious?
Plan Your Collection Linesheet :
What should be the size of your collection, and how many styles do you want to prepare for lunch initially? This is a fundamental question because it directly affects your budget. You must ensure you have a decent number of styles in your collection. At the same time, this should also suit your budget. You can refer to my blog post “How to Give Your Style Idea a Shape.” Here, I have explained in detail how you should make your collection. You can convey your vision to a technical designer by following those steps.
Decide Your Collection Styles and Size:
Once you know your concept, the next step is to decide what styles you want to keep in your collection line sheet. For example, for a sportswear line, tracksuit, pants, windbreaker, tank tops, sports bra, etc. In other words, will your collection focus on one style or a complete set of all sportswear apparel? Also, determine the number of styles you want to add for each category. Having fewer categories but more styles in each category is always good. This is how you should plan your collection line sheet. Stick to one or two categories, especially when starting your clothing line without external finance or investment. Gradually, you can increase the categories. Please follow the steps to assemble your clothing line sheet before hiring a designer.
Design and Develop Your Clothing Line:
Once you have prepared your clothing line sheet with style details, the next step is the design and tech pack. You must hire a tech pack designer to design your fashion design sketches and tech packs. You need to work with a fashion design company and get your collection with unique style appeal. You should have the tech packs and spec sheet ready before approaching a manufacturer. You have now completed the first phase of building a clothing brand. Once you are prepared with all the above information, consult a technical clothing designer. It would be best to have tech packs and a spec sheet for your collection before you approach the clothing manufacturer. You can get a consultation and prepare your collection line sheet and tech packs to take your collection to a clothing manufacturer. Keep tuned for my next post for further guidance.
Decide and Gather Information on Standard Size :
Measurements are everything for standard quality apparel and brand reputation. Different standard measurements are followed across geographical areas of the world. For example, in Europe, the USA has two different standard sizes. Asian and South East Asian standard size. Now, it is up to you to follow your standard measurements. This also depends on your business location and the crowd you sell to. You can pick your standard measurement through your competitor brand’s website. So, any brand that fits your style would be a good choice. You can also consult a technical clothing designer to give you this. Please note that standard measurement is not the spec sheet. The technical designer prepares the spec sheet using standard measurements. Spec sheets are different for every single style and unique for each style.
Develop Samples:
Once your tech packs are ready, you can approach a manufacturer to develop a sample. It would help if you had samples and prototypes to ensure you get the right quality and fit of your garments as designed. Sample development is expensive, and any alteration in the sampling process can cost a fortune. So make sure your tech pack and spec sheet are correct and confirmed by you so that you do not have to change in between. Do confirm the cost of producing the sample. If you confirm your order with the factory for bulk production, the factory should develop a sample for free. But if you are unsure if you want bulk production, the sample development is chargeable.
Source Suppliers and Materials:
Ideally, It is the responsibility of a clothing manufacturer to source materials. But if you plan to source materials and supply them to the vendor, connect with fabric and trim vendors, etc., Source quality suppliers that align with your brand’s aesthetic and quality standards. Identify reliable manufacturers for your clothing line. Establish strong relationships to ensure consistent production.
Plan Production and Manufacturing:
Determine the most suitable production method for your clothing brand. Intorospect which method is correct, whether in-house or outsourcing to manufacturers. Consider factors like cost, quality control, and production capacity. Create a production timeline and track progress closely. It is crucial to keep in touch with the clothing manufacturer during production. Hire a freelance QA or an agency to ensure the production pieces are high quality.
Decide Production Quantity / Style / Color:
Now, it is time for you to assess your budget and what investment you are ready to make for your business. In other words, what would be the volume you have thought of producing? A manufacturer would first ask for the quantity of each style you want to make. You should not contact them if you are not prepared with that number. Furthermore, they will not entertain you if you are not ready with your tech packs and spec sheet.
Set Up Sales and Distribution Channels:
Decide on your sales strategy, whether through an e-commerce website, brick-and-mortar stores, or a combination of both. Explore partnerships with retailers or consider selling directly to consumers through online marketplaces. Establish a compelling online presence through a professional website, social media platforms, and engaging content. Use digital marketing strategies like SEO, social media advertising, and influencer collaborations to increase brand visibility.
Launch and Promote Your Clothing Brand:
Plan a captivating brand launch event or online campaign to generate buzz and attract customers. Implement marketing tactics such as email marketing, PR efforts, collaborations, and strategic partnerships to promote your brand effectively. Continuously evaluate the performance of your clothing brand, analyze customer feedback, and adapt your strategies accordingly. Stay updated on industry trends, consumer demands, and market dynamics to remain competitive.
You have now completed the first phase of building a clothing brand. Once you have all the above information, consult a technical clothing designer. It would be best to have tech packs and a spec sheet for your collection before approaching the clothing manufacturer. You can get a consultation and prepare your collection line sheet and tech packs to take your collection to a clothing manufacturer. Keep tuned for my next post for further guidance. Starting a clothing brand requires dedication, perseverance, and a strong understanding of the industry. Following these steps and staying committed to your vision can pave the way for a successful clothing brand in the USA. Good luck!