Starting a clothing line or growing your small apparel business in the United States is an exciting and challenging endeavor.
One of the most crucial aspects of this journey is finding the right domestic clothing manufacturer to bring your designs to life. However, with numerous options to choose from, pinpointing the perfect match for your requirements is a time-consuming task.
To save you from the headaches of scouring the internet, we’ll introduce you to 16 of the best USA clothing manufacturers that cater to the unique needs of startups and small businesses.
These manufacturers offer a range of services and products, from eco-friendly materials and ethical production practices to customized designs and small-batch manufacturing. Read on to discover the top companies that can help you create high-quality, stylish, and profitable clothing collections.
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Best Custom Clothing Manufacturers In The USA For Startups & Small Businesses
Here’re the 16 best custom clothing manufacturers in the United States for startups & small businesses.
1. The Evans Group
Founded in 2005 in the US, The Evans Group is a reliable full-service fashion development and production house for over 3K emerging designers and high-end clothing brands, such as Moncler, Banana Republic, Chantel Lauren, Kiln, Cosima, Over + Over, etc.
It provides various small-batch apparel manufacturing services for startups and small businesses, including sourcing, grading, marking, cutting, hand sewing, trimming & packing, installation projects, and dedicated sewing modulars.
When working with The Evens Group, you will be paired with a dedicated team that walks you from start to finish, including a project manager, a design & sourcing expert, a master pattern maker, and a seasoned seamstress.
Pros
- In-house studio-level production with no minimum required (suitable for high-end brands that require special handling or quality, brands seeking rush orders, or brands seeking runs for publicity or up-front inventory for start-up sales).
- International shipping.
- Pay with major credit/debit cards.
Cons
- Factory-level production has a minimum of 50 pieces per style.
- 4-8-week turnaround times (rush deliveries within 1-4 weeks with additional charges).
2. Lefty Production Co
Lefty Production Co is a leading clothing manufacturing company based in the heart of Los Angeles, California, USA that supports startups and small-scale projects.
The company offers custom/private-label men’s wear, women’s garments, children’s clothes, swimwear, athletic apparel, streetwear, lingerie, and bridal garments.
Lefty Production Co has collaborated with some famous fashion brands like Matthew Williamson, Rosetta Getty, Christian Siriano, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus.
When working with Lefty, you’re provided with one-stop OEM/ODM service, from sketching, designing, fabric & trim sourcing, pattern making, branding, virtual 3D sampling, marking & grading, cutting, size testing, to production, laser cutting, and packing.
Pros
- Deliver to the USA, UK, Canada, Denmark, Switzerland, and France.
- Consulting and website development services.
- Pay with credit/debit cards.
Cons
- A MOQ of 50 pieces.
- Not delivering globally.
3. Bomme Studio
Bomme Studio is a supporting small businesses with full-service development, sourcing, and production for adult performance wear, swimsuits, kids’ apparel, etc.
Its solutions consist of personalized neck tapes, size labels, care labels, hang tags, patches, laces, plastic or metal aglets, heat-press stones, etc.
The company owns and operates manufacturing sites in California and Mexico, with an additional sourcing office in South Korea to ensure you get competitive costs at the highest quality available.
Pros
- Digital marketing agency services, including Shopify website building, product photography/video content, SEO, paid advertising, email marketing, brand coaching, etc.
- Payment can be made through Visa, MasterCard, Affinity Card, American Express, and PayPal.
Cons
- For custom production orders, the MOQ is 150 units per style.
- The MOQ for private-label blanks programs is 50 units per style.
- Sample development takes 4-6 weeks to complete.
- Production takes 10-12 weeks from the time your sample is approved.
4. Scott x Scott
Scott x Scott is a family-owned and operated company in the United States, designing and manufacturing clothes with no minimum order quantity for startups and big clients such as Urban Outfitters, Levi’s, and Revolve Clothing.
It has launched multiple brands under its umbrella, starting with the menswear line BSCOTT in 2008; followed by the women’s fashion line Sarah Scott; and a bespoke accessory line One of One.
Scott x Scott’s mission is to provide a full package production service from designing and development, to production and private labeling, at a competitive price with virtually no minimums.
Pros
- No MOQs.
- Accept major credit/debit cards.
Cons
- Long production times.
5. Prange Apparel
Started in 2013, Prange Apparel is a cut & sew manufacturing company that specializes in making women’s apparel for small boutiques and entrepreneurial ventures.
Its product range consists of blouses, dresses, tunics, shorts, and pants made from silks, tencel, cotton, rayon/viscose, wool, polyester, bamboo, knits, and a variety of blends.
Prange Apparel crafts all products in a 6000-square-foot facility in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Pros
- Price breaks at 100 and 250 units.
- Accept major credit/debit cards.
Cons
- The minimum order quantity is 25 garments per style and color.
- The turnaround times for manufacturing are usually between 3-8 weeks.
- Doesn’t manufacture basic t-shirts, hoodies, children’s wear, outerwear, undergarments, jeans, and bridal wear.
6. Tailored Industry
Tailored Industry is an on-demand clothing manufacturer located in New York, United States for startups, with a focus on men’s & women’s knitwear.
Its catalog contains 120+ production-ready styles, including tees, polos, tank tops, sweaters, blazers, hoodies, joggers, pants, shorts, bralette tops, dresses, knee-length skirts, leggings, long skirts, and scarves.
Those products can be made with your own labels. You can also request adjustments to create a custom style.
Pros
- No MOQs for on-demand services.
- Support Shopify print-on-demand dropshipping.
- Payment via Visa, Mastercard, Affinity cards, American Express, PayPal, etc.
Cons
- On-demand services cost $299-$699/month.
- No-subscription bulk production services require a MOQ of 300+ pieces.
7. InStyle USA
InStyle USA is the next no-MOQ clothing producer for small businesses with over 30 years of experience manufacturing garments.
The company offers full-package services, assisting you with design execution, fabric selection, trim selection, first pattern, and all parts of development to get your concept from samples to finished production.
InStyle USA possesses approximately 10,000 square feet of space in New York, with over 60 sewing machines and 2 on-site cutting tables.
Pros
- No minimums.
- Pay with checks, cash, most major credit cards, ACH payments, and wire transfers.
Cons
- Development generally takes between 2-6 weeks and bulk production takes 4-12 weeks.
8. Nikibiki
Founded in 2001, Nikibiki is a leader in custom American-made women’s/junior’s seamless wear manufacturing, including crop tops, bralettes, camis, tanks, short sleeves, long sleeves, biker shorts, yoga capris, vintage leggings, bodysuits, dresses, and jumpsuits in sizes from standard to plus.
All of its items are crafted in Los Angeles, using super soft & lightweight fabric built on top of a refined production process and a meticulous quality check stage to ensure the highest standard of quality.
The customization services provided by Nikibiki for start-up enterprises and small firms are custom clothing labels, colors, styles, and price tags.
Pros
- International delivery.
- Free shipping for online domestic in-stock orders over $500.
- Accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
Cons
- A minimum of 50 pieces per style per color for custom/private-label orders.
- A minimum of $100 per order and 5 pieces per color for ready-made products.
- The average lead time is about 4-6 weeks.
9. Renaissance Creative Studios
Renaissance Creative Studios is a high-quality & luxury garment manufacturer for small businesses & start-up ventures located in Los Angeles, USA.
With expert tailors, sample makers, and production managers under one roof, the company is able to provide clients with transparent access to the end-to-end design development of their line.
Pros
- No minimum requirements.
- Free shipping within the United States and Canada for all purchases over $1000.
- Payment via major credit/debit cards.
Cons
- Long lead times.
10. Avendors
Avendors is a wholesale made-in-USA clothing manufacturer catering to small startups and large corporations, such as Pangaia, Fear Of God, Vuori, Vince, etc.
As for services, Avendors provides pattern making, sample making, fabric knitting, fabric dying, grading, marking, cutting, production sewing, private labeling, and trimming & packing.
Pros
- Global delivery.
- Pay via major credit/debit cards.
Cons
- 95-piece minimum.
- The production turnaround time is around 4-6 weeks.
11. Happy Fashion On 36
Happy Fashion On 36 is another reliable startup-friendly garment manufacturer headquartered in New York, United States.
It has partnered with brands like Rachel Comey, Batsheva, Marc Jacobs, etc.
Pros
- No MOQs.
- Accept major cards.
Cons
- Long production times.
12. Patterns World Inc
Patterns World Inc has been specializing in pattern making and private-label clothing manufacturing services in the garment district of Los Angeles USA for over 30 years.
It has collaborated with early-stage companies and even famous celebrities such as Cindy Crawford, Kim Kardashian, Kelly Osbourne, and many other A-List celebrities.
Pros
- Full-package apparel development services.
- Credit/debit card payment accepted.
Cons
- The minimum is 50 units.
13. MadeX Hudson
MadeX Hudson is a no-minimum clothing manufacturer situated in Catskill, NY, USA.
It has been serving various artists, emerging designers, and startups like Artemesia, Loup, Mara Hoffman, and Marvin Ruby.
Pros
- No production minimums.
- Accept common payment cards.
Cons
- Long lead times.
14. C&J Sportswear
C&J Sportswear has 30 years of experience in the fashion industry, specializing in pattern making, sample development, and US-based production for startups and small businesses.
Some of its capabilities are dress-making, cut & sew jerseys, suiting, outerwear, shirting, and soft draped garments.
Pros
- No minimums.
- Pay by Mastercard, Visa, etc.
Cons
- Long lead times.
15. Affix Apparel
Affix Apparel is a small-batch fashion clothing manufacturer in the USA, with over 10 years of experience serving both small businesses and large fashion brands.
It provides various services, including material sourcing, grading, pattern designing, sampling sizing, cut & sew manufacturing, all-over sublimation printing, screen printing, embroidery, woven labels, satin labels, hang tags, and heat transfer labels.
Pros
- Global delivery.
- Accept credit cards, debit cards, bank checks, money orders, and cash.
Cons
- A MOQ of 50+ pieces.
- Lead times are between 2-6 weeks.
16. Seam Apparel
Seam Apparel is a bulk clothing producer in Los Angeles, USA.
It has 10 years of garment production experience and is dedicated to serving both business startups and big brands.
Pros
- Worldwide shipping.
- Fabric/material sourcing, sampling, pattern making, sizing, grading, marking, etc.
- Accept all major credit cards, certified checks, and money orders.
Cons
- The minimum is 50 pieces.
- Long lead times.
How To Start An Online Clothing Startups In The USA Without Buying In Bulk From Manufacturers
If you still find the above US-based clothing manufacturers too expensive or difficult to work with for a small business like yours, another option is to use a print-on-demand (POD) service.
It’s a process in which a product is only printed with your own design and shipped to your customer after an order has been placed. This allows for greater flexibility and reduced costs, as there is absolutely no minimum order and no need to maintain inventory.
To start, check out the best print-on-demand partners to create and sell custom clothes online.
Cohee Truong
Blogger | Website
The rightful owner of The Clever Business. I review & curate the leading suppliers so you don't waste time scouring the internet.
As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a vast amount of information and can provide insights on various topics. While I don't have personal experiences or opinions, I can provide factual information and answer questions based on available sources.
Regarding the article you mentioned about starting a clothing line or growing a small apparel business in the United States, I can provide information related to the concepts mentioned in the article. Here are some key points based on the search results:
Finding the Right Domestic Clothing Manufacturer
- Starting a clothing line or growing a small apparel business requires finding the right domestic clothing manufacturer to bring your designs to life.
- There are numerous options to choose from, making it a time-consuming task to pinpoint the perfect match for your requirements.
- The article mentions 16 of the best USA clothing manufacturers that cater to the unique needs of startups and small businesses.
- These manufacturers offer a range of services and products, including eco-friendly materials, ethical production practices, customized designs, and small-batch manufacturing.
Custom Clothing Manufacturers in the USA
- The article lists several custom clothing manufacturers in the United States that support startups and small businesses.
- Each manufacturer has its own set of services, minimum order quantities (MOQs), and turnaround times.
- Some manufacturers mentioned in the article include The Evans Group, Lefty Production Co, Bomme Studio, Scott x Scott, Prange Apparel, Tailored Industry, InStyle USA, Nikibiki, Renaissance Creative Studios, Avendors, Happy Fashion On 36, Patterns World Inc, MadeX Hudson, C&J Sportswear, Affix Apparel, and Seam Apparel.
- These manufacturers offer services such as sourcing, pattern making, sample development, production sewing, private labeling, and more.
Print-on-Demand (POD) Services
- If the US-based clothing manufacturers mentioned in the article are too expensive or difficult to work with for a small business, an alternative option is to use a print-on-demand (POD) service.
- POD is a process where a product is printed with your own design and shipped to your customer after an order has been placed.
- This allows for greater flexibility and reduced costs, as there is no minimum order requirement and no need to maintain inventory.
- The article suggests exploring the best print-on-demand partners to create and sell custom clothes online.
Please note that the information provided above is based on the search results and the content of the article you mentioned. It's always a good idea to conduct further research and due diligence when selecting a clothing manufacturer or exploring alternative options like print-on-demand services.
