Question 1

How much does it cost to make a garment sample?

Accepted Answer

Expect $500–$2,000+ per style for a garment sample, depending on the complexity of the design, the fabric used, and whether the manufacturer is domestic or overseas. Budget for at least two rounds of sampling -revisions are normal, not a failure. A realistic starting point for a graphic t-shirt is $600 per round, or $1,200 total.

Question 2

How much does it cost to produce 100 units of graphic t-shirts?

Accepted Answer

A 100-unit production run for graphic t-shirts typically costs around $3,500, based on approximately $35 per unit for screen printing and cut-and-sew. Actual cost varies based on minimum order quantity (MOQ), number of graphic colours, fabric choice, and whether production is domestic or offshore. Before production, size run grading adds roughly $2,400 for sampling across S, M, L, XL.

Question 3

How much does a product photoshoot cost for a fashion brand?

Accepted Answer

A 4-hour product and lifestyle shoot typically costs $800–$5,000 depending on photographer experience, location, number of models, and post-production. For a first launch, budget $800 as a minimum for a small-scale shoot. Marketing content -paid social ads, launch posts, influencer partnerships -should be budgeted separately, typically $1,000 or more for an initial campaign.

Question 4

What are the hidden costs of starting a fashion brand?

Accepted Answer

Hidden costs that founders consistently underestimate include: sample revisions (expect multiple rounds), import duties on overseas production, return handling and restocking, legal expenses (contracts, trademarks), warehousing and picking fees, and a shipping reserve before your first sale. These categories can add $2,000–$4,000 to your total launch budget beyond the visible production costs.

Fashion Startup Costs For a Graphic T-Shirt Company (Estimated)

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