Starting a clothing brand is an exciting thing and a hard one. You have a vision and plan to share it with the world, but the first step to market it and sell to the people is the hardest thing to do.
At first, you might wonder, how to make a design for a clothing brand? The answer is a process that is easy to follow. It goes from the initial idea of what to do to sketches and finally a technical plan for production.
This step-by-step will show you what to do. We will assist you in taking the minimum of an idea to a full schematic design. Let’s get started.
Step 1: Before You Pick Up A Pencil
The very beginning of a great design is before you pencil anything in. The best clothing designs are built on a strong plan. This foundational work makes it possible for you to produce clothes people are eager to buy. This common step, skipping it, is what we want to warn you about.
Choose the Niche and a Target Audience
You can not design clothes for everyone. Trying to attract the majority of masses often results in being rejected by them. So it is better to concentrate on one particular group. A niche is a small fragment of the market, like fitness clothes for tall women or video game-themed streetwear.
Having a well-defined niche will not only make your brand strong but also help you stand out. To have an idea of your niche, create a character profile of your perfect client. Think of his/her exact age and preferences. What differences? What style icons come to mind? This person is called the target audience. With this knowledge, you can make proper decisions in your design process.
Create Your Brand Identity and Mood Board
The brand identity is the heart of a company. It consists of your mission and values and is the voice you speak to your clients. It is what makes your brand stand out. Building your brand identity is your first and foremost step to making sure the designs will be perfect.
The next step is to create your mood board. A mood board is a bunch of images and text that emotionally express your brand. It will serve you as a visual guide for your designs. When you are thinking about how to make a design for a clothing brand, your mood board will prevent you from straying off the path.
Your mood board should include these:
- Colors you want to use.
- Font and text styles that fit your brand.
- Textures, like rough photographs or smooth, clean looks.
- Photos of places, people, or objects that inspire you.
- Examples of clothing that match your brand’s style.
Step 2: The Process of Creativity – Making Your Ideas Become Reality
With a solid foundation, the next step is to be courageous and creative. This time is when you shape the clothes’ actual looks. This stage is about discovering ideas and getting them onto paper or your screen. You don’t need to feel pressure about being perfect. The main goal is to show your ideas.
Getting Inspiration and Researching Trends
Everywhere you look, you’ll find inspirations. Apart from other clothing brands, you can also look for ideas in art, history, nature, and architecture. For example, a vintage tile can be a great source for a t-shirt pattern. Or you can use the colors of a sunset to create a palette for your collection.
In addition, it is crucial to know what is trendy in the present times. However, don’t just copy them. The aim is to be “trend-relevant.” This means that you embrace what is popular by reflecting it in your own unique brand. As the majority of industry specialists state, fashion design tips for start-ups mainly say that simply copying trends is ineffective. Instead, you should create for a particular audience with a distinctive mark.
Drawing Your Designs: Paper vs. Digital
Drawing is communicating your concepts through sketches. You don’t have to be a talented artist to draw your ideas. It is enough to make them visual without spending too much time on perfecting them.
A sketchbook and a pencil would work fine for you. They are portable and you can always note down an idea when it strikes you. This is the traditional method, and it is very effective.
Another option is to use digital tools. Sketching on a tablet with an application like Procreate is an excellent possibility. This software helps you explore and put other colors to your shoulder. It also has a function of organizing your work. In any case, be it through hand-drawing or digital tools, the first sketch is the beginning of the entire process in form of the final design for your clothing brand.
Step 3: From Imagination to Tech Pack – Making It in a Manufacturer-Ready Format
This is one of the key and crucial steps. At this point, your imaginative idea gets transformed into a technical plan. To work with a factory, you need more than just a sketch. You need something called a tech pack. Mastering the art of writing tech packs is what determines your brand’s surviving in the competitive market.
What is a Tech Pack and Why is it Mandatory?
A tech pack is the operation manual for your clothing item. It contains all the specifications that the factory needs to make your pieces exactly as you wish. It consists of all the details from stitches to the button sizes.
A tech pack is a must. It ensures your product is consistently manufactured to your specifications. It is the factor that determines the factory gives you an accurate price. If you do not have a tech pack, you risk having mistakes and further delays. You can also end up receiving a final product that does not match your initial vision.
A Tech Pack’s Key Elements
The best technical packs are really complete. They need to be robust in nature and comprise of the following essential components. Check the list of what a good tech pack should have:
- Cover Sheet: This is the first page. It has a finished drawing of your design and a summary of the style.
- Technical Flats (CADs): These are black and white line drawings. They show the garment from the front, back, and sometimes the side. Every seam, stitch, and detail is clearly drawn.
- Bill of Materials (BOM): This is a complete list of every material needed. It includes the main fabric, lining, thread, buttons, zippers, and all labels.
- Graded Spec Sheet: This is a chart of measurements. It lists the exact measurements for your sample size. It also shows how the measurements change for all other sizes.
- Construction Details: This section gives specific instructions for making the garment. It might include close-up drawings of tricky areas. For example, how a pocket is attached or the type of hem to use.
- Colorway & Artwork Specs: This page shows all the color options for the style. It uses standard color codes, like Pantone, to be exact. It also gives the exact size, placement, and colors for any printed graphics or embroidery.
How to design a garment that is ready for production
Completing the tech pack is the penultimate step in the design process before you actually start making samples. It is the key that opens the door to professional manufacturing. Your tech pack will show the factories that you are a reliable partner who understands the process.
Exceptional design can only be accomplished together with an exceptional production partner. After the tech pack is ready, it is the right time to connect with trustworthy manufacturers who can turn it into a reality. You can read more about the manufacturing process at Clothing Manufacturer Ltd.
Step 4: Common Design Errors & How to Avoid Them
You could make mistakes while figuring out how to make designs for a clothing brand and it’s easy. According to the most frequent errors we have witnessed new brands making, most brands make a few successful choices. Preventing these issues can actually save you funds, time, and irritation.
Designing Without Production in Mind
The hard lesson here is that you should always consider the clothing making process. For instance, you might design an incredibly beautiful graphic for a t-shirt that has 15 different colors. But you may not be aware that each color increases the screen-printing cost.
The solution is straightforward. Start your design phase by considering the manufacturing process. If you are going to use screen printing, it is better to limit the colors. If you are going to use embroidery, then avoid very small and complex details.
Ignoring Fabrics and Fit
The fabric that you select can change the final item dramatically. Choosing the wrong fabric can spoil an entire design. Just picture a completely hanging heavy and stiff graphic print on a soft and lightweight t-shirt. This will not only change the way the shirt looks on the body but also the overall feeling it might create.
Request samples of the fabric from your supplier. Examine the fabric by feeling it, observing how it moves, and whether it stretches. Knowledge about the materials is one of the most important things you need to understand alongside how to make a design.
Over-Designing Your First Collection
It is quite tempting to introduce a large collection of 20 different models all at once. But it would be a blunder. It complicates the production process and increases costs. It also confuses your customers.
Start with a small and a focused collection. We suggest three to five better items that cross-sell with each other. This is called a capsule collection. It provides you with the opportunity to try the market and to get feedback. It also ensures that your production is running smoothly. As sources reveal, designing tips emphasize that planning ahead is very important. Don’t overdo your production capabilities from the very beginning.
Step 5: Finalizing the Production of Your Designs
You have a full plan, a sketch and a nice tech pack. That means you are getting to the last stage where you are about to make your designs go into production. The sign will be to put your design and production to the test and proceed with the final changes.
The Importance of Sampling and Feedback
The first product the factory creates from your tech pack is called a sample. This is your first opportunity to see and feel your design among the real clothes you wear.
The sample is the proof in the physical form. You need to carry out a careful check. Test on a model or a mannequin to check the fit. Confirm that the fabric, colors, and details are correct. You’ll always find some changes you need to make. Those changes must then be updated in the tech pack before you give your approval for the design to go into production.
Choosing Between DIY, Freelancers, or Agencies
If you are not a designer yourself, you have options. You can also hire someone who will help you to bring your ideas to life.
Freelance technical designers can be found on Upwork or Fiverr. They are professionals who are able to make tech packs and sketches for you. For bigger projects, you might work with a design agency. Choose the path that fits your budget and skills.
Conclusion: Your Design is the Heart of Your Brand
We have taken you through the entire process of how to make a design for a clothing brand. It starts with the solid foundation where you make your brand and your customer. It proceeds through the creative work which is composed of mood boards and sketching. At last, it becomes true through the technical skill of creating a detailed tech pack.
Keep in mind that a perfect design is the blend of three things. It is a mix of creativity, strategy, and technical work. By employing these steps you are no longer just a dreamer but a builder of a brand with a well-established professional garment-making process.
Now is the time to take action and start creating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to be a professional artist to design for my clothing brand?
No, you do not. You need to be able to share your vision clearly. This can be done with simple sketches and pictures you find online. You also need a very detailed tech pack. A manufacturer’s job is to understand your instructions, not to judge your drawing skills.
What’s the difference between a graphic design for a t-shirt and designing a whole garment?
A t-shirt graphic is a 2D piece of art. It is usually printed on a pre-made “blank” t-shirt. Designing a whole garment is much more complex. This is called “cut and sew.” It means you are creating the structure of the garment itself. This includes its shape, fit, seams, fabric, and pockets. This requires a very detailed tech pack.
How much does it cost to create a design?
The price can be highly variable. A simple graphic for a t-shirt could go for about $50 with a new freelancer. A sophisticated garment like a winter jacket might cost $500 or more for an experienced technical designer to do a complete tech pack. The cost will depend on the complexity of the design and the person you hire.
What software is best for a beginner trying to make clothing designs?
For simple graphic designs, a tool like Canva is very easy for beginners to use. For the technical drawings (called CADs) needed in a tech pack, professionals use Adobe Illustrator. However, there are other free resources like Inkscape and GIMP you could want to use.
Can I just send a photo of a shirt I like to a manufacturer?
A photo is a great starting point for your mood board, but it is not enough for production. A manufacturer needs a tech pack with exact details to create a unique product for your brand. Simply copying another brand’s design can also cause legal problems. It will not help you build your own strong brand identity.
