So, you have decided to launch your own clothing line, but instead of selling all kinds of garments, you have chosen to focus on crewneck sweatshirts. Well, one thing is for sure: you have selected one of the most popular pieces of clothing out there.
But do you know how to get your creative ideas to consumers? It can take a lot of work if you don’t have the right direction. But, with the right help, you can succeed with your own clothing line. In this article, we will cover the steps to follow that will save you time and get your designs where you want them – in the hands and closets of customers.
Step 1 – The Design Phase
This step is where you get to express yourself creatively. Of course, your imagination only limits the parameters of your design. However, you should follow a process that will help you achieve your goal of finishing a design or a few.
First, it is a good idea to sketch your ideas on paper. Then, show them to others for feedback. When you share your ideas with trusted friends, it helps you to define your specific style further. The most substantial designs are the ones to focus on, and the feedback you receive will help you to determine which of your designs fall into that category.
How To Create Sweatshirt Designs
Sweatshirt design software programs are available to help with the actual design details. Plus, professional sketches and artwork will be what clothing manufacturers expect from you, so invest in the software you need. These software programs are excellent because you can create incredible designs even if you cannot draw or have limited artistic talent. One more thing to keep in mind: as a beginner, it is vital to create your own designs rather than hire a fashion designer to take your ideas and develop them.
Step 2 – Launching Your Business
With your created designs, it is time to start your online clothing business. It is best to have several designs completed before entering this phase. That way, you have choices for potential customers instead of offering only one design. You have to do several things at this point to get your business up and running, including registering your business with the proper government authorities, applying for licenses and permits to operate your business, and registering your business trademark or brand.
Now, focus on what you need to do to get your website online, including choosing and registering a domain name (that’s the www dot online address), securing a web host for your website, designing the website, and launching it. You will also want to develop a business plan. It doesn’t need to be highly detailed, but a business plan will provide direction and help you stay focused on your business goals. Templates are available online. Don’t forget to choose a payment portal for e-commerce on your website.
Step 3 – The Manufacturing Phase
Printing is the next step to getting your crewneck sweatshirt designs to the public. But before starting, you need the sweatshirts first. The most economical way to fill inventory is to work with a wholesaler. The benefits of working with one include volume purchases at reasonable prices, access to brand names, top-quality products, and great shipping rates. Bella + Canvas is an example of one such supplier. In addition, when forming a partnership with a wholesaler, your bottom line is healthier as your expenses are less than if you bought from retailers.
After securing a product source, consider how you intend to print the sweatshirt designs you will sell online. You have three choices: screen printing, DTF printing, or direct-to-garment printing. Screen printing is cheaper but less reliable. Direct-to-garment printing requires investment in a heat press, but it is more reliable and better suited for higher-volume production. Whichever direction you choose for printing, it will take time and effort to hone the skills required to produce the product you are trying to make and sell.
Step 4 – The Marketing Phase
Your online store needs customers, and the best way to do that is by spreading the word about your designs being available to purchase through your website. You can do this in many ways. For example, start by sharing links to your favorite sweatshirts on your social media channels. Another great way to promote your business is through listings. Add business listings at various online directories that will permit you to include a link to your website. Finally, join local business organizations and seek website listings to access their traffic streams.
If you are seeking to target market your sweatshirt designs, then pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is a cost-effective tool to use. It employs ads that link to your product pages that appear throughout the internet but only at sites or in search results related to your keywords. The best part about PPC marketing is that it attracts people who are already interested in the kinds of products you sell, and you only pay when interested shoppers click the ad. You can also set a daily budget to control what happens with those ads.
Final Thoughts
Creating your own clothing line is both challenging and rewarding. If you do it right, you can end up with a profitable side hustle or a new career path. It’s exciting to launch a new business, but the reality is that there is also a great deal of competition. The tips above will give you the direction you need to experience success and navigate through the hard stuff so that you can enjoy and appreciate the work that got you there when things get more manageable.
