Fitness Apparel Supplier for Startups: Workflow & Pricing

# Fitness Apparel Supplier for Startups: Sourcing, Pricing & Reorder Planning Your first order landed-cost calculation just came back, and the margin is thinner than you expected. Maybe you're sitting on a sample request that's been pending for two weeks, watching your launch date slip. Or perhaps you're a gym owner trying to figure out how to get custom-branded workout gear without committing to 500 pieces per style. If you are searching for a fitness apparel supplier for startups, these are the operational bottlenecks that decide whether a brand gains traction or stalls. At Alpinario, we run a 20+ year old factory in Zhejiang, China. We are not a trading company—we own the floor, the sewing lines, the cutting tables, and the QC benches. Our buyers include brand founders, Amazon sellers, and fitness studios who need a supplier that works at their scale, not a factory that demands massive minimums. Here is how we structure sourcing, pricing, and reorder planning to fit a startup's cash flow and timeline. ## Sourcing workflow Startups cannot afford a sourcing process that drags on for three months. Our workflow is built to compress that timeline while keeping quality checks intact. We have refined this sequence over hundreds of orders for first-time buyers. **Step 1: Share your design or concept.** You send us your artwork, a reference image, or a pencil sketch. If you have a specific Pantone color, include the number. We work with polyester as the primary fabric—180 GSM to 280 GSM—and we can run nylon for compression pieces. If you need a racerback tank, a seamless legging, or a zip-up jacket, we have patterns and fabric stock ready. We also accept photos of existing garments that you want us to replicate. **Step 2: Quote and feasibility within 24 hours.** Our team reviews your request and sends back a price range and lead-time estimate. We respond within 24 hours, every business day. The quote includes the cost per piece, the sample fee, the label package, and the shipping options. We do not charge for the quote itself. **Step 3: Sampling—3 to 7 days to ship.** Once you approve the quote, we produce a sample. For a typical fitness top or legging, the sample ships in 3 to 7 days. We include your logo—printed, embroidered, or heat-transferred—on the sample so you can evaluate the placement and color accuracy. We also match the wash care label, neck label, and hang tag to your specifications. If you need a second sample revision, we can turn it around in 3 to 5 days. **Step 4: Production after sample approval.** For a medium-sized order of 300 pieces, production takes 4 to 6 weeks after sample sign-off. We build a production schedule around your launch date and send you milestone photos at cutting, sewing, and finishing stages. Our QC team inspects every piece before packing. **Step 5: FBA labeling and shipping.** If you are an Amazon seller, we pre-apply FBA labels and ship directly to Amazon warehouses. We handle the poly bagging, label placement, and pallet preparation. No need to repackage at your end. The entire workflow, from your first email to finished goods at your door, can be as short as 7 weeks for a 300-piece order. That includes sampling, production, and ocean freight. If you are in a hurry, we can compress further by using existing fabric stock or streamlining the sample approval step. We have documented our full process on our [sportswear manufacturer page](/sportswear-manufacturer) for buyers who want to audit the steps before committing. ## Price breaks Pricing for a fitness apparel supplier for startups is not a single number—it depends on quantity, design complexity, and fabric choice. We use a tiered pricing model that gives startups a path to better margins as they grow. The shifts happen at specific quantity thresholds. Here is a typical price breakdown for a basic polyester workout shirt with a single-color logo and standard label package: | Quantity | Approximate price per piece (USD) | |----------|-----------------------------------| | 1–50 | $12–18 | | 51–200 | $8–12 | | 201–500 | $6–9 | | 500+ | $4.50–7 | These are approximate ranges. A legging or compression shirt with more fabric, seams, and elastic will land at the higher end. A simple tank top or tee with limited trim will sit lower. Fabric weight measured in GSM also affects the price—a 180 GSM polyester jersey costs less than a 280 GSM performance knit. The garment construction matters too: a flatlock seam legging takes more labor than a basic overlock tee. The key takeaway: if you order 50 pieces, you pay a higher per-unit cost, but you also keep your inventory risk low. As your sales data accumulates, you can scale up to 200 or 500 pieces and capture the price breaks. We do not lock you into a single quantity tier. You can start at 50, reorder at 100, and then jump to 300—all on the same design. We also offer volume discounts on fabric if you commit to a repeat style across multiple seasons. For a detailed look at how our pricing scales by garment type, visit our [wholesale sportswear page](/wholesale-sportswear). ## Private label at supplier tier Private label is not just about slapping your logo on a generic shirt. When we say private label, we mean a full brand package built at the factory level, not assembled by a middleman who adds a margin on every component. Here is what we include in a standard private label package: - **Neck label:** Woven or printed with your brand name. Woven labels cost roughly $0.15–$0.30 per piece, depending on thread count and size. - **Wash care label:** Custom content—fabric composition, care instructions, country of origin. We print these in bulk and attach them during production. - **Hang tag:** Attached with your branding, pricing, and SKU. We can source paper stock, string, and barcode printing. - **Logo placement:** Screen print, embroidery, or heat transfer on chest, sleeve, or back. Screen print adds about $0.50–$1.50 per piece depending on color count. Embroidery runs $1.00–$2.50 per piece. - **Packaging:** Poly bag with your label or a custom box if needed. Standard poly bags are $0.10–$0.25 each. We match any Pantone color for the fabric—not just the standard 20 colors, but any shade in the book. If you send us a color swatch, we match it to a Pantone number and run a small dip test before production. The dip test costs $20 and takes 2 days. Because we are a direct manufacturer, we control the entire private label process. There is no third-party markup on labels or packaging. We buy the thread, the labels, and the hang tags in bulk and pass the savings through. Our [private label activewear page](/private-label-activewear) has more detail on the specific label types and packaging options we offer. ## Reorder planning A startup's first order is often a test. The real challenge is the reorder—timing it right so you do not run out of stock or get stuck with excess inventory. Here is how we plan reorders with our clients. **Lead time baseline.** After sample approval, a 300-piece order takes 4 to 6 weeks. A 1,000-piece order takes 6 to 8 weeks. Ocean freight adds 2 to 3 weeks to the US West Coast and 3 to 4 weeks to the East Coast. Air freight is faster but costs more—roughly $4–$8 per kg depending on the route. **Reorder trigger.** We recommend placing a reorder when you have 6 to 8 weeks of inventory left, not when you are running out. This allows for production time plus freight. If you sell 100 pieces per month, order 300 pieces when you have 200 left in stock. This buffer prevents stockouts without overcommitting. **Forecasting with limited data.** If you have less than 3 months of sales history, we suggest ordering 50% of your projected 3-month demand. You can always reorder sooner. Our MOQ is 1 piece, so there is no minimum to hit on a reorder—you can add 50 pieces, 100 pieces, or 300 pieces without penalty. **Price consistency.** We hold pricing for 90 days on reorders of the same design and fabric. If you reorder within that window, you get the same price per piece as your previous order. This helps you budget without worrying about fabric cost fluctuations. **Fabric continuity.** If you plan to reorder, we can hold a roll of your custom fabric color for up to 6 months. The storage fee is $15 per roll per month. This avoids color variation between batches and shortens the reorder lead time by 1 to 2 weeks because we skip the fabric sourcing step. For startups selling on Amazon, we also offer direct FBA replenishment. We can store your inventory at our factory and ship to Amazon in batches as your sales run. This reduces your warehousing cost and keeps your Amazon stock levels stable. We cover this in more depth on our [low MOQ sportswear page](/low-moq-sportswear), which is written specifically for founders scaling their first product line. ## FAQ **What is the MOQ?** Our MOQ is 1 piece. You can order a single custom sample or a single finished piece for a personal order. There is no minimum order quantity for production runs. This is not a "negotiable" MOQ or a hidden minimum—it is our standard. If you need 10 pieces, you order 10. If you need 500, you order 500. We do not charge a setup fee for small quantities. **What is the sampling timeline?** After we receive your design and approve the quote, your sample ships in 3 to 7 days. This includes pattern making, cutting, sewing, and applying your logo. If you need a sample faster, we can expedite to 2 to 3 days for an additional $30–$50 rush fee. Most standard samples arrive at your door within 10 to 14 days via express courier. We ship samples with DHL, FedEx, or UPS depending on your location. --- **Ready to start your first order or request a sample?** We reply within 24 hours and can send you a quote and timeline by the next business day. [Request a Quote →](mailto:support@alpinario.com)