How to Start a Clothing Brand with Custom Printing
Starting a clothing brand has never been more accessible. You do not need a factory, a warehouse, or a fashion degree. What you need is a clear vision, great designs, and a reliable print partner. At French Press Custom in Santa Fe Springs, CA, we have helped hundreds of entrepreneurs launch their brands — from streetwear labels to lifestyle apparel companies.
Here is a practical, no-fluff guide to getting started.
Step 1: Define Your Brand
Before you print a single shirt, get clear on these fundamentals:
Brand Identity
- Who is your customer? Age, interests, lifestyle, income level
- What makes you different? There are thousands of clothing brands — what is yours about?
- What is your aesthetic? Minimalist, bold graphic, vintage, streetwear, athletic, luxury
- What is your price point? Budget ($18-24), mid-range ($28-38), premium ($40-65+)
Brand Elements
- Brand name (check trademark availability at USPTO.gov)
- Logo (hire a designer or use a branding agency)
- Color palette (2-4 core colors)
- Typography (1-2 fonts for all materials)
- Brand voice (how you talk to customers)
Step 2: Design Your First Collection
Start Small
Do not launch with 50 designs. Start with 3-5 strong pieces:
- 2-3 graphic tees (your bread and butter)
- 1 hoodie (higher price point, higher margin)
- 1 hat or accessory (impulse buy, brand visibility)
Design Tips
- Hire a freelance designer if you are not one (Fiverr, Upwork, local art schools)
- Study brands you admire — what makes their designs work?
- Test designs with your target audience before printing
- Keep it wearable — people need to want to wear it daily, not just buy it
File Preparation
- Final artwork in vector format (AI, EPS, SVG)
- 300+ DPI for any raster elements
- Specify Pantone colors for brand consistency
- Prepare files for each print location (front, back, sleeve, label)
Step 3: Choose Your Products
Blank Garment Selection
Your blank is half the product. Choose carefully:
- Bella+Canvas 3001 — The standard for quality merch brands. Soft, modern fit, huge color range
- Comfort Colors 1717 — Garment-dyed vintage feel. Perfect for laid-back lifestyle brands
- AS Colour 5001 — Premium Australian brand gaining US traction. Streetwear favorite
- Independent Trading SS4500 — The hoodie standard. Heavy, quality construction
- Champion Reverse Weave — Built-in brand recognition on your custom design
Sizing
- Offer S through 2XL minimum
- Consider XS and 3XL to be inclusive
- Know your blank's fit (slim vs relaxed) and communicate it to customers
- Include a detailed size chart on your website
Step 4: Choose Your Printing Method
| Method | Best For | Min Order | Per Unit (50 pcs) | |--------|----------|-----------|-------------------| | Screen Printing | 1-6 color designs, bulk | 24 pcs | $5-10 | | DTG | Full-color, small runs | 1 pc | $15-22 | | DTF | Any fabric, medium runs | 1 pc | $8-14 | | Embroidery | Logos, hats, premium feel | 12 pcs | $5-10 |
Our Recommendation for New Brands
Start with DTG or DTF for your first run (12-24 pieces per design). This lets you test the market without a huge investment. Once a design proves it sells, switch to screen printing for your reorders at higher quantities to increase margins.
Step 5: Set Your Pricing
The Pricing Formula
Retail Price = Total Cost per Unit x 2.5 to 4x
| Cost Component | Example | |----------------|---------| | Blank garment | $5.00 | | Printing | $6.00 | | Packaging (polybag, label, hangtag) | $2.50 | | Shipping to you | $1.00 | | Total cost per unit | $14.50 | | Retail at 3x markup | $43.50 → Price at $44 |
Margin Guidelines
- Minimum 2x markup to stay viable
- 2.5-3x for online direct-to-consumer sales
- 4-5x if selling through retailers (they take 50% wholesale)
- Factor in free shipping if you offer it (add $5-8 to your cost)
Step 6: Brand Your Products
Elevate your brand beyond the print itself:
Custom Labels
- Woven labels — sewn into the neck or side seam ($0.50-0.65 each)
- Tagless printing — heat-transferred size/care label ($0.50-1.25 each)
- Hang tags — attached with a tag gun ($0.65-0.95 each)
Packaging
- Polybags — individual poly wrapping ($0.50-1.25 each)
- Custom tissue paper — for a premium unboxing experience
- Branded stickers — seal the bag or box
- Thank you cards — personal touch that builds loyalty
French Press Custom offers all of these finishing services in-house.
Step 7: Sell Your Product
Online (Start Here)
- Shopify — the gold standard for fashion e-commerce ($39/month)
- Instagram Shopping — tag products in posts and stories
- TikTok Shop — massive reach for new brands
- Your own website — build brand equity, own your customer data
In Person
- Pop-up shops and markets
- Local boutiques (consignment or wholesale)
- Events, festivals, and concerts
- Friends, family, and community first
Marketing
- Build an Instagram presence before you launch
- Document your journey (behind-the-scenes content performs well)
- Collaborate with micro-influencers in your niche
- Email list from day one (use Mailchimp or Klaviyo)
Step 8: Scale Smart
When a Design Sells Well
- Reorder in larger quantities (100+) via screen printing
- Add colorways (same design, different shirt colors)
- Expand to new products (hoodie, long sleeve, hat)
Inventory Management
- Pre-order model: Sell first, print second. Zero inventory risk.
- Small batch model: Print 24-50, sell through, reorder. Low risk.
- Inventory model: Print 100+, warehouse stock, ship on demand. Higher risk, higher margin.
When to Consider a Managed Store
Once you are selling consistently, French Press Custom can build and manage a Shopify store for you — handling fulfillment, inventory, and shipping while you focus on design and marketing.
Real Startup Costs
Minimum Viable Launch
| Item | Cost | |------|------| | 3 designs x 24 tees each (72 tees) | $850 | | Custom labels + hangtags | $150 | | Packaging (polybags) | $75 | | Shopify (3 months) | $117 | | Domain name | $15 | | Product photography | $0-200 | | Total | $1,207 - $1,407 |
If you sell 72 tees at $35 each = $2,520 revenue. That is a healthy profit on your first run.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-ordering — Start with 24 per design, not 200
- Cheap blanks — A $2 Gildan shirt makes your $40 brand feel cheap
- Too many SKUs — 3-5 designs to start, not 15
- Ignoring branding details — Labels, packaging, and presentation matter
- No marketing plan — The product does not sell itself
- Pricing too low — Your time, creativity, and brand have value
Get Started with French Press Custom
We work with clothing brands at every stage — from first sample to full production runs. We offer:
- Free consultations on printing methods and blank selection
- Sample printing before committing to full orders
- In-house finishing (labels, tags, packaging)
- Managed Shopify store setup and fulfillment
- Volume pricing that scales with your growth
Call us at (562) 407-3800 or request a quote to get your brand off the ground.
