The cost of manufacturing your own clothing depends on design complexity, materials, labor, location, and production volume. This complete guide breaks down all key expenses for fashion startups and small businesses.
1. Pre-Production Costs
- Design & Tech Packs ($100–$500+ per design)
- Hiring a fashion designer or creating sketches yourself
- Tech packs (detailed manufacturing instructions) cost $50–$300 per design
- Pattern Making & Sampling ($100–$1,000+ per style)
- Prototyping and fit adjustments (multiple samples may be needed)
- Local vs. overseas sampling affects costs
2. Fabric & Material Costs
- Fabric Costs ($2–$50+ per yard)
- Basic cotton: $2–$10/yd
- Premium fabrics (silk, organic cotton, linen): $15–$50/yd
- Performance fabrics (athleisure, waterproof): $10–$30/yd
- Trims & Notions ($0.10–$5+ per item)
- Zippers, buttons, labels, threads, etc.
3. Manufacturing Labor Costs
- Local Production (USA/Europe)
- $15–$50+ per piece (small batches)
- Higher labor costs but better quality control
- Overseas Production (China, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam)
- $3–$20 per piece (lower labor costs, but MOQs apply)
- Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs) often start at 100–500 units per style
4. Additional Costs
- Shipping & Import Duties (varies by country)
- Labels, Tags, Packaging ($0.50–$5 per item)
- Quality Control & Inspections ($200–$1,000+ per order)
Estimated Total Manufacturing Costs
| Production Scale |
Cost Per Piece |
Total Cost (100 Units) |
| Local (Small Batch) |
$20–$50 |
$2,000–$5,000 |
| Overseas (Bulk Order) |
$5–$15 |
$500–$1,500 |
Ways to Reduce Clothing Manufacturing Costs
- Order in bulk (higher MOQs = lower per-unit cost)
- Use readily available fabrics (avoid custom dyes/prints)
- Start with simple designs (fewer seams, less labor)
- Work with full-package manufacturers (sourcing + sewing)
