Here are some helpful tips for anyone considering the idea of launching an apparel line of their own.
Tip #1. Don’t Rush
What I am trying to say is that you should take your time prior to launching your brand. There’s plenty of competition in the present that making social media accounts with a T-shirt due soon will not suffice. Have you ever been exuberant about a page on Facebook with 12 likes and “a brand new and fresh clothing line due soon” in the”about me” section? I haven’t.
Tip 2. If you’re not able to create a design, hire someone else who can.
Many streetwear start-ups begin their business with their name written in a script font that is printed on the back of a black T-shirt. Although I’m all for being a part of a brand’s success, however, you must at the very least think and imagine your clothing, and people might notice that you’re just like all the other clothing brands that have tried and ended up failing. If you’re unable to draw or create, hire someone who is able to. You’ll require solid designs in order to stand out, and it doesn’t need to cost a lot. One great site for designing work is Design crowd. The site lets you publish the design proposal, define your budget and then let designers from around the world submit their entries and then pick the best.
Tip #3: Don’t take advantage of other people!
Every company would like to succeed like Obey, Stussy, and HYPE; however, blatantly copying their style, ideas and style won’t make you successful. Actually, it’s more likely to cause a negative impact because these brands are well-known and respected. Their millions of followers will be aware that your designs aren’t original.
TIP #4: Be creative and think outside the box.
You’ve probably seen this phrase before, and even though it’s more challenging to implement than said, a practical starting point is to do an amount of research in order to collect the ideas of your mind. Consider what type of clothes do I want to design? What are my top brands? What are my favorite things about life? If you have what the answer to those questions is, you can begin researching brands, write down ideas, take photos and sketch out an image of what kind of streetwear items your brand should produce. Be sure to keep in mind the third tip while conducting your study!
Tip # 5 Study your product.
Once you’ve come up with some designs or concepts you’d love to have printed on a T-shirt, It’s time to consider which firm you’ll choose to supply the blanks. There are a lot of companies that provide blank clothing that is ready to print, so this could be pretty overwhelming; however, making a decision on your budget and the market you want to target will help reduce the choices.
Gildan, as well as Fruit of the loom, are at the bottom of the spectrum, but they are generally a slimmer fit and aren’t likely to see many well-known clothing companies printing on these brands.
Tultex, along with Anvil, prints a high-quality T-shirt at a fair cost if you’re seeking an excellent feel but don’t have the money to stretch to the cost of expensive blanks.
At the top of the line will be American Apparel as well as Alternative Apparel. While they are costly but the quality is top-notch, and they offer an array of colors and merchandise that can help your brand stand out from the crowd.
Tip #6 Don’t cut corners.
If you wish to be considered seriously as an enterprise, production is the only where you don’t want to cut corners or rush.
The first step is to choose a reliable printing firm. It will take you a lot longer as well as money in the end when you print using a man in his bedroom, who prints the designs in a sloppy manner and leaves chocolate marks on your t-shirts when printing them.
There are many trustworthy companies by typing “Screen Printers” in Google. Don’t forget to look around. Octomuffin and Woven Inc are highly rated within the UK.
Second, think about the image you project for your brand. Do you wish to be viewed as professional? If yes, you’ll require customized labeling for your neck, swing tags, and some attractive packaging. It doesn’t need to be costly small details that leave a lasting impression on your customer.
Don’t make excessive. When you release your first design, you’ll be left with no idea of how it will be received, so it’s ideal to start with just a little bit initially to see if it works. Don’t be concerned about the speed at which you sell out, as it can bring your brand’s image to the forefront when you do it, and you’ll be able to order more.
7. Website and images.
You don’t require a massive budget to build an excellent web design that is functional and attractive. There is a myriad of eCommerce platforms that provide stunning websites at the price of a monthly subscription. Big cartel, store envy, Shopify, and volusion are only the tip of the iceberg in the realm of these.
Once you’ve decided on your website platform, you need to purchase a domain. Domains are cheap today, so clothing companies aren’t able to resist the urge to purchase one. Additionally, it will make you appear more professional when you are about to launch.
Now it’s time to upload your items and pictures. It is essential that you upload professional photographs of your products and not images that appear to have been shot with a three megapixels phone camera. Your images are the sole method by which your customers will be able to interact with your product on the internet. If the images are blurry, minor, or do not provide enough details about your product, it is likely that you will not be able to make an order.
Tip # 8 – Now we’re waiting.
In the initial days of your debut, you may feel that the excitement is somewhat overwhelming, and you’re anticipating big things in just a short amount of time. Be patient. It takes time for a long time, so don’t be discouraged even if you didn’t have a sale within your first month. Instead, continue to push. It’s essential to get feedback from your family and friends to find out if your items are as excellent as you think they are.
That’s all I have to say, and I genuinely hope that you enjoyed this article and maybe even a bit helpful, as I said before. I’m no expert on the streetwear industry, but these are only a few of the things I’ve learned throughout the process.
Be sure to comment regarding your opinions about the topic.
I’m Paolo Rizzo, and I own and manage Stampede Clothing, a clothing site that offers a wide range of streetwear urban clothes and everything from independent brands.