Starting an apparel or activewear brand begins with clarity. Clarity on your customer, your concept, and your product. From there, the development process follows a proven roadmap:

1. Define your idea — category, customer, problem, purpose

2. Organize your design direction — inspiration, styles, colors, fabrics

3. Create your fashion sketches

4. Develop technical tech packs

5. Source fabric & materials

6. Find a suitable manufacturer

7. Develop and refine samples

8. Plan for production & launch

At Apparel Launch, we guide founders through every single step so you never feel confused or overwhelmed. You don’t need design experience, just a clear idea and a willingness to start. 

Feel free to check out our free Design Direction Kit to help you organize all of your unique ideas all in one place. Access it here. 

Apparel development timelines vary by category (activewear, golf, lifestyle, streetwear, etc.), but most brands can expect:

• Design: 1–2 weeks

• Tech Packs: 1–2 weeks

• Fabric Sourcing: 1–2 weeks

• Sampling: 3–8 weeks depending on the manufacturer

• Production Setup: 2–4 weeks

Overall, most founders see their first finished sample in 8–12 weeks, and are production-ready shortly after.
We streamline this timeline for you and help manage expectations, revisions, and communication.

Costs depend on the number of styles, complexity, materials, and the manufacturer you choose. Generally:

• Design, Tech Packs, Reference Samples, Fabric Sourcing:  Starting at $997 per style. 

• Sampling: $50–$200 per sample depending on the category and location where you want to develop

• Production Costs: vary widely by quantity, fabric, and construction

At Apparel Launch, we help founders create realistic budgets and avoid the common mistakes that lead to overspending. Our free Apparel Budget Tool is a great place to start. Download the tool here. 

A tech pack is a blueprint for your garment. The document manufacturers use to understand exactly how to make your product.

A complete tech pack includes:

• technical sketches

• construction details

• stitching + finishing info

• measurements & graded specs

• materials & trims

• colorways

• labels, tags & packaging

• sample notes

Without a tech pack, factories have to guess on how you want your design to look and be made, which often leads to incorrect samples, delays, extra costs, or refusals to work with you.

With a professional tech pack, manufacturers can quote accurately and build your product correctly the first time.

If you're interested in getting a custom tech pack developed for your apparel products, book a call with us here. 

Finding the right manufacturer depends on your category, budget, timeline, and MOQ needs. The options typically include:

• USA-based manufacturers (great for activewear, quick turns, and lower MOQs)

• Global manufacturers (Portugal, Vietnam, China, Mexico, Turkey, etc.)

• Specialty manufacturers (golfwear, leggings, sports bras, equestrian, etc.)

• Small-batch manufacturers for low minimums

At Apparel Launch, we match you with vetted manufacturers that we’ve personally worked with. Ensuring quality, communication, and alignment with your brand’s goals.

MOQ means Minimum Order Quantity — the smallest number of units a factory will produce per style.
MOQs vary based on:

• type of product (leggings vs. polos vs. hoodies)

• fabric availability

• the factory’s capacity

• whether the program is cut-and-sew or private label

Typical MOQs range from 50–300 units per style domestically and 200–1,000+ units internationally.

We help you choose a manufacturer whose MOQs match your budget and stage of growth.

You validate an apparel idea by testing demand before you commit to inventory.

Common ways to validate include:

• sharing your design line sheet

• running a waitlist or pre-launch page

• testing with a small audience

• showing early samples to potential buyers

• reviewing competitor demand & pricing

Check out our free Apparel Money Masterclass and learn the tools founders have used to validate their idea quickly and confidently. Watch here.