Start with a Clear Concept
Every successful clothing line starts with a sharp idea: who is the customer, what need does the product meet, and where does it sit on price? “T-shirts for everyone” is not a concept. “Heavyweight blank tees for streetwear brands in the US at mid-range prices” is. The clearer your concept, the easier every later decision becomes — fabric, fit, decoration, and marketing.
Develop Your Designs and Tech Packs
Turn your concept into technical documents. A tech pack includes flat sketches, measurements, a bill of materials, construction details, and artwork placement. You do not need to be a designer to start — many manufacturers, including Aptex Sourcing, can develop tech packs from reference samples or detailed descriptions. The more precise your tech pack, the fewer sampling rounds you will need.
Choose the Right Manufacturing Partner
Bangladesh is one of the world’s largest apparel exporters, with deep expertise in knitwear, woven garments, and workwear. Look for a manufacturer with experience in your product category, transparent communication, in-house quality control, and recognised compliance certifications. Ask for references from brands in your market — a trustworthy factory will gladly provide them.
Sampling: Expect Two to Three Rounds
Sampling typically takes two to four weeks per round. The first proto sample checks the overall concept; the second refines fit and details; the third is usually the pre-production sample that locks every specification. Resist the urge to rush this stage — errors caught in sampling cost almost nothing, while errors caught in bulk production are expensive.
Costing, MOQ and Production
Once samples are approved, your manufacturer will confirm final costing and the minimum order quantity (MOQ). Bulk production for basic styles usually takes 30–45 days after fabric is ready. Plan your cash flow around a typical 30% advance payment, with the balance due before or on shipment.
Quality Control and Shipping
Insist on in-line inspections during production and a final AQL inspection before packing. Your manufacturer should handle export documentation and freight forwarding, whether by sea or air. Confirm delivery terms (FOB, CIF, or DDP) in writing before production begins.
Common Mistakes New Brands Make
- Skipping the tech pack and approving production from a photo alone.
- Choosing a factory on price only, without checking quality systems.
- Ordering the full quantity in a single colour before testing the market.
- Leaving shipping and customs planning until the goods are ready.
Starting a clothing line is a process, not a single purchase. Work with a manufacturer that treats you as a long-term partner, and build each collection on what the last one taught you.