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What is Step 1 when starting a clothing line?

1250 Views 6 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  BassTard, 
pintofdjscrew
I want to start a clothing line but have no clue where to begin. I have many designs already just not sure how to get financing, finding manufactures, etc. Any info would be helpful. thanks
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kimura-mma
Re: Step 1

There are a lot of good threads on the forum about getting started. Use the search feature to find them and read up as much as you can.

Some good things to know are:
Make sure you register your business and get any licenses and permits you may need. You can also open a business bank account and apply for a tax id number. For more info, do a Google search for "starting a business in (your state)."

There are many blank t-shirt suppliers. So do some searching and place orders for samples. Then go with the one that best fits the needs of your brand.

There are many print shops. Start by contacting local shops and get some pricing and see their website or samples of their work. Then go with the one that best fits the needs of your brand.

Hope this helps and good luck with your new clothing line!
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N
Re: Step 1

Welcome! I joined in March and am about to actually print something. I say READ,READ,READ! then read some more. This site is amazing. I went back @ 50 pages and read any post I thought I needed, then followed some of their links, read some of the recommended books etc. You'll be amazed in a month how much more you know. It takes time- be patient to do it right.
and you'll be hearing from Kimura (Tim) ALOT! he's great.
Nancy
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Rodney
pintofdjscrew said:
I want to start a clothing line but have no clue where to begin. I have many designs already just not sure how to get financing, finding manufactures, etc. Any info would be helpful. thanks
Click to expand...
The first step I guess would be putting together some sort of plan. It doesn't have to be a formal 300 page business plan, but you should get together your ideas on designs, target audience, marketing, advertising, competition, pricing, etc so you can know where to start your research.


This is a good place to start: start related topics at T-Shirt Forums
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Re: Step 1

Nancy G said:
Welcome! I joined in March and am about to actually print something. I say READ,READ,READ! then read some more. This site is amazing. I went back @ 50 pages and read any post I thought I needed, then followed some of their links, read some of the recommended books etc. You'll be amazed in a month how much more you know. It takes time- be patient to do it right.
and you'll be hearing from Kimura (Tim) ALOT! he's great.
Nancy
Click to expand...
I wholeheartedly second this.
Don't print ANYTHING until you've read forums, books, websites, etc. for at least a few days.

Learn the business side, the accounting side, the design side, the marketing side. It's not just about making pretty pictures, there's a LOT to it.
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I
Rodney said:
The first step I guess would be putting together some sort of plan. It doesn't have to be a formal 300 page business plan, but you should get together your ideas on designs, target audience, marketing, advertising, competition, pricing, etc so you can know where to start your research.


This is a good place to start: start related topics at T-Shirt Forums
Click to expand...
So true Rodney. I have a notebook which is almost filled after week 1. I started 3 months ago and I'm about to print shirts in the first week of August. This forum is THE best!
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BassTard
I would say a huge chunk of it is marketing: getting your name out there, creating a brand identity etc. It also depends if you are using a PoD(Print on Demand) fulfillment service, or using a printer and building up inventory. I am currently trying to do all this with zero money, so I am rather limited, but it can be done.It is an oversaturated marketplace, but I always maintain that if the designs are strong, and the price is right you can make some pretty decent headway. It is not an overnight thing either; I have been doing it for nearly a year now, and only recently started my website a few months ago. Sales have been slow, but they are picking up rapidly. I hardly make any money, because I use a PoD at the moment, but I am building a solid brand identity and style (in my opinion), and aim to operate the whole shebang in about a years time.
So: Design, market and price would be the 3 most important things i think you should consider when starting a t-shirt business. All of this should transmit to sales and a steady rise in revenue when those 3 things all come together at the same time.
Best of luck!
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