The idea of starting your clothing line is never more feasible. Setting up an online store takes just a few minutes, and more tools are available than ever to assist you in getting started. In reality, more people are trying to create clothing lines than ever. With the increasing competition, How do you stand above the crowd and ensure your brand is distinctive?
We have the good fortune of working with severalcessful clothing companies that sell customized T-shirts and have witnessed the various steps they’ve made during the journey. We’ve compiled a checklist of the seven best steps to take before you start creating a clothing line of your own.
Creating your identity and deciding on an avenue name for your clothing brand is crucial. However, most people overlook the second most vital aspect, which involves positioning the brand within an industry. Understanding the audience you’re designing for and sticking to one direction is essential. If your clothing line is all about dinosaurs, It’s not logical to create 10 T-rex T-shirts and then sell one featuring a kitten.
At times we will see that very regular collection of clothing with some odd designs that are added because they like a creature, animal, and so on. If you want people to be comfortable with your company, they have to be able to recognize it. Therefore, you must be constant across all channels and stylishly showcase your talents while remaining recognizable to your chosen industry.
Our article about Comfort Colors shows how their branding and quality products drive their business forward. Once you’ve established that solid image, connecting with others is easier for companies, which is vital to growth.
If you’re looking to change your style a bit, however, you can still maintain your own identity. Johnny Cupcakes is an excellent model to follow. In the picture below, their logo or name is printed on every shirt to create the brand’s recognition. Even though they chose a more playful approach for this particular line, rather than the norm that would be typical for their brand, they’ve been able to use markers to communicate their primary buyer audience. The key here is to Keep in mind your target audience and remain constant.
Another excellent illustration of branding image and consistency can be found in Ugmonk. While distinctive, their designs are all built around simplicity, minimalism, and straightforward procedure. They have a knack for creating distinct designs and distinctively unique to them.
Know your audience
In the beginning, you must understand the goal you are creating for. Are you designing for a cause? Are you playing a game? Does it involve a move? Are you interested in a pastime? Choose something you’re enthusiastic about for the long term. Then, you have to figure out the audience you’re designing for.
The most effective method to promote a clothing line is to determine who will purchase the product. I don’t know how many people I’ve talked to who have clothing lines and don’t understand whom they’re selling to. If you aren’t sure which direction to go regarding your product or design, the first thing you should ask yourself is,” who is my target market?” The need for a t-shirt with a fishing line may prefer a different fit or style than those who like high-end.
There are many aspects to think about age range or gender, what sports or hobbies they’re into, which trends they are most attracted to and how fast they change to new fashions, and whether they are prepared to invest a significant amount or just a few dollars or where they are shopping and so on. Most of the time, when customers purchase custom t-shirts or other apparel, it is about identity. They’re making use of their designs to let the world know the world who they are.
These are the most critical issues to consider when developing and expanding your brand. If you begin with an idea of a market, it doesn’t mean the clothing you sell will be linked to. It could change as your line grows and grows. Ask questions to determine what kind of shirts your target audience would like. Ensure you are investing in the right people, and they will continue to be loyal customers.
Select the appropriate shirt
If the look of your shirt isn’t enjoyable, people won’t do it. You must choose a shirt that you will love its feeling and style.
T-shirts are available in various styles, colors, blends, and weights. Some even come with tear-away tags. A variety of options can confuse you when you’re new to the custom t-shirt game!
Once your line is up and running for a few months and you’ve got sales data, you can make these decisions based on. For instance, if you made five times more heavyweight sales than light this year, it’s an ideal bet to assume that heavyweight is where you should invest all of your cash this season. When you’re only beginning out, you don’t have this information. What do you do to make decisions like this?
The has a few general rules that can help
The first step is to be aware of your budget to maintain the margins you need and still make a profit while giving your client an excellent product!
We would also recommend not to go overboard with your style. It’s unnecessary to have your style for every cut tank, long sleeve, and hoodie on the market! Pick a couple of classes and ensure your style is a hit before putting all your eggs in one basket.
It is usually best to provide more options as opposed to models. However, be aware of the seasons. Winter is most likely not the ideal time to start your line of tanks custom-designed for you.
With options for tags and other details, think about making tear-away tags or personalized tags to sell a premium, extra-crispy version of your standard shirt – and then check out who takes it.
To help you pick the best shirt to suit your needs and make your decision easier, we’ve developed the Visual Reference to Blends of T-shirts. Find out about tri-blends and blends of poly and cotton in this comprehensive visual guide, and how these fabrics contribute to the outcomes you’ll get!
Are you looking for more details on how to design your custom t-shirt? We have it. Buyer’s guide to customizing your T-shirt is full of helpful suggestions, tricks, and phrases of wisdom.