If you’re launching a clothing brand, one of the first questions that comes up is: how much does a clothing manufacturer cost? The answer depends on many factors—your product type, order quantity, materials, location, and the services you need. Whether you’re producing casualwear, technical sportswear, or high-end fashion, pricing can vary dramatically between different custom clothing manufacturers.
Understanding these cost variables upfront will help you plan your budget, price your products competitively, and choose a manufacturing partner that aligns with your goals. A great starting point for finding reliable production options is https://www.universetextiles.com/, which connects fashion startups and growing brands with trusted clothing manufacturers around the world.
This guide breaks down the key factors that influence manufacturing costs and offers insight into what you should expect when working with custom clothing producers.
Key Cost Components of Working with a Manufacturer
Manufacturing a garment involves more than just sewing fabric together. The full cost includes several layers of services, materials, and logistics. Let’s break it down.
Design and Development
Before production begins, you may need help turning your sketches into factory-ready materials. This includes:
- Tech pack creation: $50–$300 per design
- Pattern making: $100–$500 per style
- Sample development: $50–$200 per garment
Some custom clothing manufacturers offer full-package services, meaning they assist with everything from design and sourcing to packaging. Others, especially CMT (Cut, Make, Trim) factories, require you to provide patterns and fabrics.
Fabric and Materials
Fabric is often the most expensive part of your garment, and prices vary based on material, quality, source, and quantity.
- Basic cotton: $2–$6 per yard
- Bamboo or organic cotton: $5–$10 per yard
- Technical fabrics (e.g., activewear): $8–$20 per yard
- Luxury silks or custom blends: $20+ per yard
Other materials, such as zippers, buttons, labels, and packaging, also add to the total.
Labor and Sewing Costs
Labor is the core of any manufacturing process. This is the amount charged for cutting, sewing, finishing, and quality control. It varies significantly by country.
- S. or Europe: $15–$30+ per garment
- Turkey or Eastern Europe: $6–$12 per garment
- India, Vietnam, Bangladesh: $3–$8 per garment
- China: $4–$10 per garment (depending on region and complexity)
Highly detailed pieces with custom stitching, pleats, lining, or embroidery will naturally cost more to assemble.
Printing, Embroidery, and Branding
If your design includes logos, prints, or embroidery, these will add to the cost:
- Screen printing: $1–$5 per garment (depending on colors and size)
- DTG printing: $3–$10 per piece
- Embroidery: $2–$10 depending on complexity and stitching size
- Custom woven labels: $0.10–$1 per piece
If you want branded hang tags or custom packaging, expect to pay $0.50–$2 more per item.
Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs)
Most custom clothing manufacturers have MOQs—meaning you must order a minimum number of pieces to get started. MOQs typically range from:
- Small factories: 50–100 pieces per style
- Mid-sized factories: 300–500 pieces
- Large-scale manufacturers: 1000+ pieces
Per-unit costs decrease as order volume increases. For example, producing 50 T-shirts may cost you $12 per unit, while 500 units of the same design could drop to $6–$8 each.
Sampling and Revisions
Before bulk production begins, you’ll need one or more samples. These are more expensive per unit because they are one-off creations, often made by senior technicians.
- First sample: $50–$150
- Fit revisions: $30–$80 per revision
- Pre-production sample: Usually free or discounted if you proceed to full production
Some manufacturers will waive sample fees if you place a large production order afterward.
Shipping and Import Duties
Manufacturing overseas introduces logistics costs. Shipping depends on package size, weight, and destination:
- Air freight (faster): $5–$10 per kg
- Sea freight (cheaper for large orders): $1–$3 per kg
You’ll also need to account for customs duties and import taxes, which can range from 5% to 30% of the shipment’s declared value depending on your country.
Packaging
Most custom clothing manufacturers provide standard polybags, but you can request custom packaging for an extra charge:
- Polybag (basic): $0.10–$0.30
- Custom-printed bag or box: $0.50–$2
- Tissue paper, stickers, thank-you cards: Additional $0.20–$1
Packaging may seem like a small detail, but it’s essential for brand image—especially for direct-to-consumer businesses.
Total Cost Per Garment: Rough Estimates
Let’s look at some example ranges for total costs based on region and complexity.
| Garment Type | Basic T-shirt | Yoga Leggings | Fashion Dress | Embroidered Hoodie |
| U.S. Production | $15–$30 | $25–$45 | $30–$60 | $35–$65 |
| Asian Production | $5–$10 | $8–$15 | $10–$20 | $12–$25 |
| MOQ Impact | Higher per-unit for <100 units | Lower per-unit for 500+ units |
Keep in mind, these are costs to produce the garment, not your final retail price. You’ll need to add profit margins, marketing, warehousing, shipping to customers, and platform fees if selling online.
How to Reduce Manufacturing Costs
If you’re working with a tight budget, consider the following tips:
- Increase order volume to lower per-unit costs
- Simplify your designs (fewer panels, simpler stitching)
- Use stock fabrics instead of custom-dyed materials
- Negotiate packaging separately if you can do it in-house
- Choose a region that balances cost and quality
- Work with a full-package provider to avoid hiring separate designers or sourcing agents
Efficient planning and clear tech packs can also save money by reducing mistakes, revisions, and delays.
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
While manufacturers may quote you a base unit price, don’t forget these extras:
- Pattern creation fees
- Extra samples and design edits
- Rush fees for tight deadlines
- Fees for storing or shipping leftover inventory
- Additional duties or port delays
Clarify all costs in writing before starting production. Ask for a full breakdown or invoice template to understand what you’re paying for.
Working with custom clothing manufacturers can cost anywhere from a few dollars to dozens of dollars per unit depending on the complexity of your design, where you produce, and how many items you’re ordering. While it may be tempting to go with the cheapest option, remember that quality, communication, and reliability are just as important—especially when you’re trying to build a long-lasting brand.
If you’re ready to begin production and want access to a global network of trusted manufacturers, https://www.universetextiles.com/ is an excellent place to start. Their platform helps streamline the process by matching you with vetted partners that specialize in everything from small-batch production to large-scale full-package solutions.
Understanding your manufacturing costs upfront helps you budget smarter, price strategically, and bring your vision to life with confidence.
