Custom streetwear for US brands
Choose the fit, fabric and size breakdown before you commit to stock. Custom cut-and-sew clothing starts at 50 pieces per color. We help you turn your collection brief into a production specification.
A collection is more than artwork on a T-shirt. The decisions that matter come earlier: the silhouette, fabric weight, quantities in each size, available budget and launch date. Too much stock in the wrong sizes can tie up the money needed for your next release. SKLUBS works with production partners in Guangdong on two routes: personalizing existing blank garments or developing your own cut-and-sew pattern. Choose the route that fits the stage of your brand, then agree the decoration, labels and packaging before production.
Customize a blank or develop your own fit?
This choice shapes your sampling work, minimum order and production schedule. Compare both routes before requesting prices.
| Fit | Shoulder | Width-to-length ratio | Positioning | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | At the shoulder | About 0.62 | Everyday wear | A versatile starting point; confirm the size chart. |
| Boxy | At the shoulder, shorter sleeve | 0.72–0.78 | Short, wide silhouette | Length matters: a longer body changes the intended shape. |
| Oversized | Dropped by 3–6 cm | 0.68–0.74 | Relaxed silhouette | Fabric needs enough structure to support the fit. |
| Cropped | At the shoulder | 0.80 and above | Shorter body | Small length changes can noticeably alter the silhouette. |
| Heavy oversized | Dropped by 6–10 cm | 0.70–0.76 | Structured streetwear | Review the fabric weight and drape on a sample. |
A blank garment already has a defined pattern and size range. You can assess its fit before adding your artwork, but that base garment may also be available to other brands. Cut-and-sew starts with your pattern: fabric, seam placement, ribbing and finishing become part of your specification. The minimum for custom cut-and-sew is 50 pieces per color. Before moving to a bespoke pattern, use actual sales, customer feedback and sample measurements to establish which silhouette deserves the investment.
Before commissioning a pattern.Compare several blank garments, wear them and measure the one that works for your audience. Use it as a reference, with clear notes on the changes you want.
Fabric weight is only part of the specification.
Two jerseys with the same GSM can feel very different. Yarn quality, construction, finishing and shrinkage all influence the finished garment.
| Fabric | Weight | Drape | Typical use | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light jersey | 140–160 g/m² | Fluid; check opacity | Summer garments or lining | Lightweight |
| Standard jersey | 180 g/m² | Balanced | Everyday T-shirt | Standard |
| Heavy jersey | 200–240 g/m² | More structured | Premium or boxy T-shirt | Heavy |
| Extra-heavy jersey | 250–280 g/m² | Firm structure | Heavy oversized fit | Extra-heavy |
| Brushed fleece | 300–350 g/m² | Soft and warm | Everyday hoodie | Brushed |
| Heavy fleece | 400–450 g/m² | Substantial structure | Heavyweight hoodie | Heavyweight |
Specify more than GSM. Ask whether the cotton is combed or carded, how the yarn is spun, and which finishing treatments are used. These choices affect softness, pilling and surface appearance. Assess shrinkage on the actual sample rather than assuming that every fabric behaves alike. Record the before-and-after measurements and agree the acceptable tolerances. A detailed fabric specification makes sampling and repeat orders easier to compare.
Check the sample after washing.Follow the proposed care instructions, measure before and after washing, and inspect pilling, seams and decoration. Resolve differences before approving bulk production.
Order sizes for your audience, not in equal quantities.
Your sales history and fit tests should guide the size mix. The example below illustrates a 300-piece allocation; it is not a prediction for your market.
| Size | Regular example | Oversized example | 300-piece oversized example |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 4% | 3% | 9 |
| S | 14% | 11% | 33 |
| M | 28% | 26% | 78 |
| L | 29% | 30% | 90 |
| XL | 17% | 20% | 60 |
| XXL | 8% | 10% | 30 |
Adjust the allocation for your customers, sales channel and garment. A hoodie and a T-shirt do not necessarily sell in the same sizes. For an early collection, a focused range can be easier to manage than many styles and sizes. Keep the size chart visible to customers and use returns, fit feedback and sell-through data to improve the next order. Check measurements rather than relying on S, M or L labels across different suppliers.
Use the table as an example.Replace its percentages with your own customer data. Confirm the size breakdown before the production order is approved.
Plan the full collection budget before ordering.
Include sampling, garments, decoration, labels, packaging, delivery and launch content. The production unit price is only one part of the calculation.
| Cost item | When to plan it | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Patterns and prototypes | Before production | Scope and sample cost |
| Production deposit | At order confirmation | Payment schedule in the quote |
| Labels, hangtags and bags | With the garment brief | Specifications and quantities |
| Production balance | As agreed | Payment terms in the quote |
| Transport and import charges | Before confirming the order | DAP delivery; import duties and taxes separate |
| Photography and content | Before launch | Required images and formats |
| Total collection budget | Before committing | Use the approved project quote |
Allow for stock that sells gradually rather than immediately. Keep a reserve for replenishment, launch costs and unexpected changes. If you use pre-orders, communicate a delivery date supported by the agreed production schedule. Do not announce a launch date before samples, materials and transport have been planned. For the international site, delivery is quoted on a DAP basis unless your written quote states otherwise: import duties and taxes remain payable at destination.
Calculate cost per item sold.For illustration, a garment costing €9 with 70% sell-through represents about €12.86 of stock cost per item sold, before other expenses. This is a budgeting example, not a SKLUBS price.
Choose decoration for the artwork and the fabric.
Compare appearance, feel, placement and wash performance on a sample. The best process depends on the design and the garment, not just the number of colors.
Other options include water-based screen printing, puff effects and woven or embroidered patches. Each has its own constraints. Use artwork at the intended size and confirm the location on the garment. A decoration that looks right on a flat mockup may change when the fabric stretches or folds. Approve the sample and care instructions together.
Labels and finishing make the collection consistent.
Plan neck labels, care information, hangtags and individual packaging as part of the garment specification. Their cost depends on the materials, design and quantity.
Keep your brand identity consistent across neck labels, hangtags and packaging. Provide final wording and artwork before sampling. Do not remove essential product information simply for a cleaner appearance; agree an appropriate placement. Check trims and finishes in hand, because small details can be difficult to judge from a mockup.
Order finishing components early.Labels and hangtags have their own lead times and quantities. Include them in the original brief rather than adding them after sample approval.
Prepare the information for your destination market.
Agree who supplies and approves the garment wording before production. Requirements depend on where and how the clothing will be sold.
- Fibre composition.Provide the confirmed fibre names and percentages for the actual fabric. Check the wording and language required in the intended sales market.
- Care instructions.Use instructions appropriate to the fabric, decoration and trims. Validate the proposed care process on the sample.
- Origin and business information.Use accurate origin statements and supply the responsible business details required for your market. Check final labelling requirements before approving production.
Certification and environmental claims must match the documents available for the actual material and product. A material certificate should not be presented as a blanket certification of a finished collection. Specify the documents you need in the brief and check their scope before using a claim in marketing. Keep the approved specification and order records so that a batch can be identified if a quality issue arises.
Three different checks before a collection ships.
Sampling gives you a chance to resolve fit, material and decoration issues before committing to the full run.
01
Fit prototype
Check the shape and measurements: body length, chest, shoulders, armholes and ribbing. Note any substitute fabric used at this stage. Record changes clearly before the next sample.
02
Fully finished sample
Review the chosen fabric, fit, decoration, labels and hangtag together. Use the approved sample as the reference for the production specification and your product photography.
03
Production checks
Compare production pieces with the approved reference for color, measurements and decoration placement. Agree the checks and tolerances before the run starts.
A complete measurement chart and clear technical drawings reduce avoidable sampling rounds. State the tolerances for each measurement and describe any changes using annotated photos. Sample charges and any deduction from a later production order must be specified in the quote rather than assumed.
Make the technical pack precise.Include measurements for every size and clearly identified units. Agree tolerances for width, length and other critical points with the production team.
Build the schedule backwards from your launch date.
Plan approvals, labels and photography alongside manufacturing. The schedule below shows the sequence to discuss, not a promised delivery timetable.
| Milestone | Cut-and-sew | Blank garments | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brief and fabrics | First | First | Availability of the chosen fabric and color |
| Pattern and measurements | Before sampling | Provide the full size chart | |
| Prototype approval | Before production | Before decoration | Allow time for feedback and revisions |
| Labels and hangtags | Alongside sampling | Alongside artwork | Include all components in the brief |
| Finished sample and photography | Before launch | Before launch | Book content creation around sample availability |
| Production start | After approval | After approval | Confirm the agreed deposit and specifications |
| Quality checks and dispatch | Before shipping | Before shipping | |
| Receipt and stock preparation | Before launch | Before launch | Keep a buffer for transport and receiving |
| Launch | Agreed date | Agreed date | Announce a date supported by the project schedule |
Leave a delivery buffer.Allow for production adjustments, customs and transport before announcing a customer launch date. Confirm the appropriate buffer for your route.
For repeat orders, discuss whether the pattern and fabric can be reserved. A new fabric or dye lot may differ from the previous one, so compare references before replenishment. Reorder decisions should follow actual stock and demand, with a confirmed schedule for the new batch.
Clear terms before production.
Use the written quote as the reference for sampling, payment, manufacturing and delivery. The confirmed cut-and-sew minimum is 50 pieces per color.
Specify each model, color, fabric and size breakdown in your request. Different colorways need to be identified separately; sizes can be allocated within the agreed order. A first cut-and-sew collection includes pattern development and sampling, so it needs a different schedule from decorating an existing blank. Confirm the full plan before you announce your drop.
Questions to settle before your first order.
Can I start with blank garments?
Yes. A blank garment can help you assess fit and customer demand before developing your own pattern. Specify the blank, decoration and required quantities in your brief. Custom cut-and-sew starts at 50 pieces per color.
How should I plan the quantity for my first collection?
Start with your audience, budget and expected size mix. Fewer well-defined styles can be easier to test than a large range. For cut-and-sew, allow at least 50 pieces per color and plan sizes within that order.
How many colors can my artwork use?
The answer depends on the decoration method. Screen printing involves color separations and screens, while digital transfers follow a different process. Send the finished artwork, print dimensions and garment color so that the suitable method can be quoted.
How do I check fabric shrinkage?
Measure the sample before and after washing according to the proposed care instructions. Record shrinkage, pilling and decoration changes, then agree acceptable tolerances before bulk production.
What can I say about manufacturing origin?
Use an accurate description of where the garment was manufactured and decorated. Have origin wording checked for your destination market before printing labels or publishing claims.
How should I plan a restock?
Share stock levels and the sizes or colors that are selling. Confirm fabric availability, any color-lot differences and the restock schedule before accepting new customer commitments.
Does the quote include import duties and taxes?
International delivery is quoted on a DAP basis unless the written quote says otherwise. Import duties and taxes are payable at destination. Check production, sampling, packaging and transport lines separately.
Can you produce a fit that I design?
Yes. Provide a technical sketch, a measurement chart for each size and, where useful, a reference garment. The sample stage confirms whether the specified fit and fabric work together.
Can I request my pattern files?
Ask for the graded pattern and measurement files as part of the project brief. Confirm the file formats and handover arrangements in the written scope.
How long will my order take?
Timing depends on the production route, fabric availability, sample revisions and destination. Request a schedule for the complete project, including manufacturing, quality checks and transport.
Packaging and labels for your clothing brand
Coordinate your garments with custom printed boxes, printed pouches and stickers and labels. For buying advice, explore our packaging guides. Include packaging quantities and artwork in your collection brief.
Tell us the fit, colors, quantities and launch date.
Send your technical drawings or references, target fabric weight, size breakdown and delivery address. We will use those details to prepare the scope, sampling plan and quote. Include your US ZIP code and identify whether measurements use inches or centimeters. Provide an actual size chart rather than relying on US size labels alone.