From renting a studio to designing business cards, there are a variety of tasks to handle beyond style and design when you run a fashion line. To stand out from the competition, you’ll need to build a brand, reach clients, and think like an entrepreneur. The guide below will help you cultivate a unique and lucrative clothing label.

How to Start a Fashion Design Company

1. Know the Target Audience

Before designing a marketing strategy, establish your clientele. Every fashion line will have a target audience, whether it’s as broad as “families” or as narrow as “tall young women.” You’ll need to conduct continuous research on what trends, styles, colors, fits, and designs are popular among that demographic. Knowing your clients will also help you build a marketable brand that appeals to them.

2. Brush Up on Your Business Skills

Being a fashion designer isn’t just about creativity and style; you also need to have some entrepreneurial skills. This skill set will help you manage expenses, find the right manufacturer, set your prices based on demand and the cost of production, and other essential elements of running a business. If you don’t have a business background, don’t be afraid to reach out to fellow business owners for advice. You can also read books, listen to podcasts, and take classes on the subject to help you prepare for success as an entrepreneur.

3. Build a Reliable Team

It's tough to run a business on your own, so find some knowledgeable partners you can trust. Fashion designers often have design assistants, accountants, printing services, logistics teams, market researchers, and more in their corner. Having a dependable team of experts will promote smart choices and efficient operation.

4. Spread the Word Through Print

Getting the word out about your business within the community is a great place to start. To create brand recognition and spark interest in your clothing line, print and distribute business cards, flyers, brochures, look books, and other materials. High-quality printed materials give the business a professional appearance and offer potential customers a physical reminder of your products.

5. Create a Website

For the brand to expand beyond local clientele, you’ll need to have a website up and ready. This should showcase your products and services in a clean, easy-to-navigate format. If you aren’t familiar with website design, there are many e-commerce platforms that host retailers at a fixed price. You can also promote the business on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to reach an even wider audience.

If you need quality prints for your fashion line, turn to Bestype Printing NYC. Located in Manhattan, they are the one-stop shop for all of your fashion company’s printing needs. Their team has 40 years of experience offering state-of-the-art printing services for projects of all sizes, including lookbooks, catalogs, and business cards. Learn more about their fashion printing options online or call (212) 966-6886 to place an order.