Starting a clothing business in 2024 requires more planning than you think.
Trust us, after manufacturing lakhs of pieces for 7000+ businesses in India, we have seen plenty of brands come and go.
Only the ones with the right planning are able to sustain the completion.
Are you worried enough? Don’t be. Today, we will share with you all the tips and tricks you need to start a custom clothing brand with almost zero investment.
Understand and try to implement each of the suggestions to make yourself the next big name amongst the customised clothing brands in India.
NOTE:
How to start a clothing business in India with (almost) no money
The Indian textile and apparel market was valued at $172.3 Billion in 2022 and is expected to show a CAGR of +14.59% during 2023-2028. Simply put, if you ever planned to do a clothing business, now is a great time.
After analysing over 100+ custom clothing businesses that worked with us and were able to grow successfully, here are some tips from us.
1. Build A Business Mindset
While a blend of passion and planning is required to start a business, the right mindset is everything when it comes to making it successful. To build a business mindset, you need to first
- Define your goals,
- Believe in yourself,
- Be persistent,
- Think strategically and
- Plan accordingly.
Along with all that, if it is your first time in business, we highly suggest following a business framework.
For a business like custom clothing, the two frameworks that we saw working the best are the blue ocean strategy and lean startup methodology.
This theory emphasises creating uncontested market space by differentiating your custom clothing service. Offer a unique experience or cater to an underserved niche.
This approach is best if your designs are unique and something that’s new in the market.
In this approach, you are suggested to focus on validating your concept with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Start small, gather customer feedback, and iterate based on learnings before a full-scale launch.
This framework is great if you are planning to design something that is currently trending and will sell out easily. Your designs don’t need to be unique; they just need to be popular at the moment.
Here are some additional tips to keep the business mindset strong, even in times of low.
- Read books and articles about your business.
- Stay up-to-date with market situations. The fashion industry is a very dynamic one. So, you have to be open to evolving trends and customer demands.
- Talk to successful business people and ask them about their experiences.
2. Select the business model for your clothing business
The next step in planning your clothing brand will be to select a suitable business model. Try to align it with the business theory you choose to follow.
Here are the top three business models that most clothing brands use.
Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
As the name suggests, this business model involves handling all aspects of production yourself, from design and fabric sourcing to garment creation and fulfilment.
The benefits of choosing this model include having complete creative control (design, material, pattern, stitching, etc.), having high-profit margins, and having the opportunity to build direct customer relationships.
However, there are some rough edges too. You need a high initial investment for this model, plus it requires quite a lot of time, dedication, and skills to be able to handle everything on your own.
DIY is ideal if you have strong design and tailoring skills, enjoy hands-on creation, and want complete control over your product. However, it may not be suitable for large-scale production or if you lack the initial investment for equipment.
Print-On-Demand (POD)
In the POD business model you partner with a POD service provider who will then handle printing/ embroidering your designs on blank apparel and fulfil orders directly to the customers.
It is hands-down one of the most beginner-friendly clothing business models. You just hand over your designs to the partner, and they handle the rest, from managing the warehouse to ordering the shipment.
The biggest perk of this model is that the upfront cost is very low. You don’t need to invest in equipment or inventory. The scope of scalability is also good, as you can add new designs any time you want. It also gives the option to experiment with different target audiences, and you can even build more than one distinct brand simultaneously.
However, some things to consider will be the limited control of quality, fixed profit margins, and limited options with blank apparel.
POD is ideal for testing new designs, reaching a broader audience, and starting with limited resources.
👉 Learn about the best products to sell online
Bulk Manufacturing
This model involves outsourcing production to a clothing manufacturer who creates your garments in bulk based on your specifications. Bulk manufacturing has some similarities with POD, as you hand over your manufacturing part to someone else. But unlike POD, you have to manage your inventory, order fulfilment, and customer handling.
Bulk production typically offers lower per-unit costs compared to DIY or POD, but only if your MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) is high. This makes the upfront investment of this model quite high.
This model can help you easily scale production to meet high demand or launch larger clothing lines. However, keep in mind that design changes after initial production are typically expensive and time-consuming. So you have to be very careful when finalising patterns and designs.
This model is best only if you have a clear understanding of customer demand and a desire to scale production. It may not be suitable for testing new designs or starting with limited capital.
3. Competitor and audience research
Here’s a breakdown of how to conduct competitor and audience research for your custom clothing business in India, along with actionable steps and useful tools
Competitor Research:
There are three simple methods you can use to find your competitors.
- Search online marketplaces like Flipkart, Amazon and social media platforms like Instagram using keywords related to custom clothing in India.
2. Use the search engines with the right keywords. And once you find the websites, you can use competitor analysis tools like Similarweb, Ahrefs, and BuzzSumo to get more insights about their website traffic and engagements.
3. Ask potential customers (through surveys or social media polls) which custom clothing businesses they are aware of or use. Ask around in your circle.
Once you have the list of competitors
- Understand their product range, pricing, customization options, target audience, and brand messaging.
- Read online reviews and customer testimonials to understand what customers like and dislike about your competitors.
- Sign up for competitor email newsletters and social media updates to monitor their marketing strategies and promotions.
Audience Research:
- Make customer persona: The first step to audience research begins with creating a customer persona. It is a detailed profile of your ideal customer, including demographics, interests, pain points, and clothing preferences.
You can do it from scratch or get help from AI tools. Some good ones include the Semrush Persona tool, HubSpot’s Make My Persona, Uxpressia, etc.
Once you have your ICP (Ideal Customer Persona) in hand, you can use social media to find and target them through organic and performance marketing.
2. Backtrack your target audience: If you have already identified your competitors, you can backtrack your targeted customers from there, too.
Simply go to their social media profiles, and look into their Follower list and comment section. The profiles you see can be your target customer base if your business is quite similar to your competitors. However, this thing might not work for a very niched-down brand.
For example, suppose you and your competitor both sell custom-printed T-shirts, but the competitor only designs anime-inspired prints. Then this method will only work if your designs are anime themes too. If your genre is abstract art or minimalistic prints, then the ICP won’t match.
👉 If you want to start your custom tshirt business then check out our complete guide to Tshirt printing business plan.
4. Find your unique angle (USP)
For an industry like clothing and textile, having a USP (Unique Selling Proposition) is important to stand out and sell fast.
Follow these three steps to identify what makes your custom clothing business unique in the Indian market.
- Do a self-assessment: Start by reflecting on your business’s strengths. What sets you apart in terms of skills, experience, or resources? What values are embedded in your approach to custom clothing (e.g., sustainability, ethical sourcing)?
- Learn from competitors: Analyse your competitors’ USPs. What are they good at? What gaps exist in their offerings? Identify areas where you can offer a unique value proposition that fills those gaps. Remember, the goal is to differentiate and not duplicate.
- Focus on what customers want: Understand the pain points of your ideal customers. What are their unmet needs? Can you offer a more convenient, faster, or more personalised experience compared to competitors? Finding answers to these can help you identify your USP.
Once you have answers to the above questions, it is time to combine them and make a USP. Your USP should be a clear, concise statement (ideally one sentence) that captures the essence of what makes your business unique and valuable to your target audience.
For example, the USP of a custom clothing brand in India can be “Custom menswear made easy: affordable, online design tool, and free doorstep delivery in 7 days.”
Or “Sustainable custom clothing: create unique, eco-friendly outfits with zero-waste tailoring.”
You can shortlist two or three USPs and test them with your potential customers to see how they resonate with them.
5. Decide a business name
Amongst all this business brainstorming, you can’t forget about choosing a suitable name for your business, as this will be an important part of your business’s identity.
Here are some tips for choosing the right name for your brand.
- Pick names that reflect your brand: Choose words that embody your brand’s essence. I.e., elegance, tradition, new age, quirky, etc.
For example, a famous Indian men’s wedding apparel brand is “Manyavar,” which in Hindi translates to “a respectable man.” The name suggests that the brand sells something for men that is also traditional.
- Think about what your audience would like: If you are targeting the newer generation, your brand name should be such that it clicks with them. On the other hand, older people would prefer names that are sober and less complicated.
- Keep it short & catchy: A shorter name is easier to remember and pronounce. Aim for 2-3 words ideally. You will find the most successful brands with one-word names like Nike, Gucci, Rebook, etc., and even those with longer names end up getting popular because of their acronyms. Like LV for Louis Vuitton or H&M for Hennes and Mauritz.
- Availability & legality: lastly, check for domain name and trademark availability in India to avoid conflicts. You can check it on the Trademark Registry website.
The qualities of a great business name boil down to being-
- Memorable and unique
- Easy to spell and pronounce
- Brand relevant
- Web-friendly
6. Register for GST and manage other legal tasks
Keeping the legal things sorted ensures you will be able to scale your business without legal obligations. So, here’s a breakdown to get you started on the legal side of things.
1. Business Registration:
Choose a legal business structure. You have options like Proprietorship, Partnership, or Limited Liability Company (LLC). Each has its pros and cons regarding liability and taxation. Consider consulting a local lawyer for advice on the best structure for your brand.
2. Licences and Permits:
- GST Registration: For most businesses in India, GST registration is mandatory if your turnover exceeds ₹20 lakh (₹40 lakh for some states). GST stands for Goods and Services Tax and registering ensures you collect and deposit tax on your sales. You can register for GST online on the government portal.
- Shop and Establishment License: If you plan to open a physical store, you’ll need a Shop and Establishment licence from your state government. This licence regulates working conditions and employee rights.
You can also consult a Chartered Accountant (CA) to navigate the registration process and understand your tax obligations. Also, the registration processes and licences may vary slightly depending on your state. Check with your local government offices for specific requirements.
7. Find a reliable clothing print-on-demand manufacturer
Since the custom clothing business is done the easiest through POD, we will discuss what factors to consider while choosing a reliable manufacturer.
Product Variety:
You must consider if the manufacturer offers a variety of high-quality blank garments (t-shirts, hoodies, etc.). The articles must also match your brand’s image and target audience.
For example, if you are planning a young and trendy clothing brand, you need a manufacturer that has a good mix of trending clothing items. Like oversized t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, crop tops, etc.
Do take a look at Qikink’s products section if you are searching for something similar.
Product Quality:
Along with variety, the quality should be there. Research the printing methods offered (direct-to-garment, screen printing) to ensure they produce vibrant and durable designs on your chosen materials.
They should also be skilled with popular printing styles like DTG, DTF, Vinyl, glow-in-the-dark, screen, digital, UV, eco-solvent, etc.
Cost and Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs):
If you want to experiment and start small, MOQ is what you need to consider. Some manufacturers might set the MOQ of 100 to 150 for a single design. That might not be your requirement at the start. Plus, it also restricts your ability to be creative with multiple designs.
So try to go with manufacturers that have very low MOQ requirements. For example, at Qikink, there are no restrictions on MOQ. You can even order a single item.
Turnaround Time and Shipping:
Consider how long it takes for the manufacturer to print and fulfil orders. Faster turnaround times can be beneficial, especially during peak seasons. While checking this aspect, also see how their shipping is. Research the shipping options offered, including costs, delivery times, and international shipping availability.
Customization and Design Capabilities:
Check if the manufacturer allows printing on various garment parts (front, back, sleeves) to accommodate your design needs. It will be even better if your manufacturer provides free branding.
There are manufacturers like Qikink and more who would provide free custom branding with your logo on every courier packet. Having that small logo or sticker on there takes you one step closer to your buyer and increases your brand visibility.
- Sign up with the platform to reach Qikink’s dashboard.
2. Click on the mockup generator in the top right corner.
3. Select the clothing and product type. For example, men’s hooded sweatshirts.
4. Select the color, size, and print type and click on Add design to put your created visuals on the product.
5. Upload the design from your files or drag and drop the relevant file.
6. Adjust your selected design on the product and download the created design.
7. You will find all your created designs under My Products
Customer Service and Integration:
Evaluate the manufacturer’s customer service responsiveness and available support channels. Ensure the POD manufacturer offers easy integration with your online store platform for seamless order fulfilment.
For example, if you sell on Shopify, you can easily integrate it with your Qikink dashboard with a few clicks. Similarly, if you sell on Amazon or some other e-commerce platform, your POD manufacturer should be able to work in sync with it.
Qikink Integration With Shopify And Woo-Commerce:
Qikink provides seamless integration with Shopify and WooCommerce after the initial sign-up process. Go to your Qikink dashboard and click on integrations. Install the Shopify or WooCommerce app to start adding your designs.
You can add or edit designs after adding details like design name, code, width and design URL. Qikink processes all your further designs after you successfully add them to the platforms. Furthermore, the auto-placement of orders on Qikink’s dashboard saves users from the time spent On manual order creation.
Additional Considerations:
If eco-friendliness is important to your brand, choose a manufacturer committed to sustainable materials and ethical production practices. While the location may not be a primary concern, consider any potential advantages of a domestic POD manufacturer (faster shipping, easier communication) compared to overseas options.
Besides, if you want to provide facilities like COD (cash on delivery), your manufacturer should be able to assist you with that.
8. Create designs for your clothing items
If you are not very into art and design, you may not have much idea about designing tools and platforms to use to design your clothes. So here’s a brief discussion on the platforms and tools that can come in handy.
If you want a detailed discussion, feel free to check out our blog on the best design tools for t-shirt design.
- Canva: this platform is great for beginners, with easy-to-use templates and a free plan.
- Photopea- Free browser-based tool with features similar to professional software like Photoshop.
- Adobe illustrator- Though it is not the most budget-friendly option, this software is what most professional designers use. Especially if your design niche is inclined towards vector graphics, this is the best in the market.
If you do freehand sketching on your tablet, you can use Autodesk Sketchbook (for android users) and Procreate (for iOS). You can get your designs made with these tools and then use your POD platform’s design tools to customise them.
9. Setup your online store
In 2024, you can not rely simply on a brick-and-mortar store. Having an online clothing storefront helps you reach a significantly larger audience.
Here’s a brief idea of how you can set up your online store.
1. Choose an E-commerce Platform:
E-commerce platforms are where you build your stores. It is easier than building your own websites, plus you get exposure way faster.
Here are some popular options to choose from.
- Shopify (easy to use, good for beginners)
- Wix (drag-and-drop website builder with e-commerce features)
- BigCommerce (powerful features for scaling businesses)
2. Design Your Store:
- Pick a Theme: Most platforms have themes you can customise with your brand colours, logo, and images.
- Organise Products: Create clear categories and product listings with high-quality photos and descriptions.
- Make it User-Friendly: Easy navigation and a clear checkout process are essential for a good customer experience.
3. Set Up Payments & Shipping:
- Payment Gateway: Choose a secure service like Stripe or PayPal to accept payments.
- Shipping Rates & Options: Decide on your shipping strategy (flat rate, free shipping over a certain amount) and clearly display costs and delivery times.
4. Launch & Promote:
- Test Everything: Before going live, double-check everything works smoothly, from adding products to checkout.
- Marketing: Spread the word! Promote your store on social media, run ads, or collaborate with influencers.
10. Focus on marketing strategy
When choosing a suitable marketing strategy, you can either go for paid marketing or organic marketing. Here’s a side-by-side comparison for both.
Factors | Paid Marketing | Organic Marketing |
What is it | You pay a platform to show your ads to a specific audience. Great for reaching new people quickly and targeting them precisely. | You earn traffic through search engines and social media without paying directly. Takes time and effort to build up. |
Channels | Search engine ads (Google Ads), social media ads (Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads), display ads (banners on websites). | Search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, and content marketing (blog posts, videos, infographics). |
Good for | Launching a new product, running a sale, and reaching a specific target audience. | Building brand awareness, establishing yourself as an expert, and creating long-term customer loyalty. |
Downside | Costs money, can be complex to set up and manage effectively. | Slower results than paid marketing, requires ongoing content creation. |
Here’s when to choose which.
- Start with organic marketing: It’s a good foundation to build brand awareness and learn about your audience.
- Add paid marketing for a boost: Once you understand your audience, use paid ads to target them specifically for faster results.
Think of them as working together. Organic marketing builds the long-term base, and paid marketing gives you targeted boosts when needed. It is a powerful tool to build brand awareness, so ensure to keep a budget for this part.
11. Scale (double down on what’s working)
Once your business is all set and running, you need to be strategic if you want to upscale it.
The simplest and most effective method of scaling a business like custom clothing would be the doubling-down method. This method is all about focusing resources on what’s already working well to grow your business. Here’s a breakdown of the concept.
- Identify what’s working: This is key. You need to analyse data and customer feedback to pinpoint what strategies, products, or marketing tactics are generating the most sales and customer satisfaction.
- Increase investment: Once you know the winners, put more resources behind them. This could involve:
- Marketing budget: Allocate more funds to successful marketing campaigns.
- Product development: Invest in improvements or expansions of successful product lines.
- Salesforce: Focus training and efforts on areas with high sales conversion.
- Refine and repeat: Don’t just throw money blindly. Analyse the results of your increased investment and keep refining your approach for even better results.
While adapting to this method, remember that markets and customer preferences can change. Be prepared to adjust your approach if what’s working today stops working tomorrow. So, continuously monitor the results of your doubling-down strategy to ensure it remains effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I start a small clothing business?
The easiest way to start a small clothing business is through the POD (print-on-demand) business model. It requires a very nominal investment and business experience.
Which is the best custom clothing printing service provider in India?
It is hard to pick a single name as the custom clothing printing market is huge. But according to sources the top three names include InkMonk, Qikink and King Doodle.
Is an online clothing business in India profitable?
Yes, online clothing businesses in India have the potential to be profitable. Firstly, India has a huge population with a rising middle class, leading to increased demand for fashion products. And secondly, after the pandemic more and more Indians are comfortable shopping online, making it a convenient way to buy clothes.
With over 10+ years of experience in the industry, Our founder has dedicated his career to helping brands achieve exponential growth through innovative print-on-demand solutions.
