Coverage, construction and quantity set most of the swimwear price per piece. A full-cover swimsuit with a lining uses far more fabric and sewing than a two-piece, and a larger order spreads the fixed set-up work over more pieces.
We quote every order per style, by fabric, quantity and branding. This post explains what sits behind each part, so you can plan a range that fits your budget before asking for a quote. It does not give figures, because those depend on your exact order.
Style and coverage
Coverage is the biggest single factor in swimwear. More coverage means more fabric, more seams and more finishing.
| Style | What drives its cost |
|---|---|
| Two-piece | Two separate pieces to cut, sew and finish; little fabric each |
| One-piece | One larger piece, with straps, leg openings and often a lining |
| Swim shorts | Waistband, drawcord and often an inner lining |
| Rash guard | Sleeves, neckline and body; more fabric than a swimsuit |
| Full-cover swimsuit | The most fabric, with sleeves and legs as well as the body |
Within a style, details add work too: wider straps, a higher neckline, a longer leg or an extra panel. Each extra part is cut, sewn and checked.
Fabric, lining and inserts
We offer nylon-elastane and polyester-elastane. Both are stretch fabrics made for wear in water. The fabric you choose, and its weight, affect the cost of each piece. The amount of fabric matters just as much, which is why coverage leads the list.
Colour can also play a part. Solid colours come from the fabric options. If a style is split across several colours, each colour needs its own fabric and its own cutting, so a single colour per style is simpler than many. The colour split per style is confirmed at quotation.
Lining and inserts
A lining is a second layer of fabric inside the swimsuit. It adds coverage and a smoother finish, and it adds fabric and sewing. Cup inserts can be added on styles built for them, which adds a component and a step.
These choices are worth making where customers expect them, such as light colours and fashion one-pieces. Where they do not, such as some rash guards and swim shorts, leaving them out keeps the piece simpler. We confirm lining and inserts on your sample.
Quantity
Swimwear sits in our specialised band, with a minimum of 300 pieces per style. Every style has set-up work: preparing patterns for each size, cutting plans, sampling and setting up the line. That work is similar for the minimum and for a larger run, so its share in each piece falls as quantity rises.
Mixing sizes within a style does not change this. You can cover XS to 3XL in one style without it counting as several styles.
Branding, trims and packaging
Branding is chosen per style, and each method has its own cost:
- Printed label inside. Simple and soft.
- Soft woven label. A separate component sewn into a seam.
- Wash-care label. Usually included; its content depends on your destination.
- Heat transfer logo. A small logo applied to the outside of each piece.
- Screen print. Suits rash guards and swim shorts; more colours add work.
- Sublimation. All-over designs on polyester-elastane rash guards and shorts.
- Hang tag. Printed card, attached to each piece.
A hang tag with a barcode, a swing tag fastener and an individual printed bag each add a little to every piece.
Packaging
Bulk packing by size is the simplest. Individual bags, printed bags, inserts, size stickers and retail-ready packing each add time and material. If you sell on a marketplace, confirm its current packing requirements with the marketplace and send them to us, and we pack to that specification. Our page on labels, tags and packaging shows the options.
How to keep the price in check
You can shape the cost without losing what your customers value:
- Start with fewer styles at a solid quantity, rather than many styles at the minimum.
- Keep a style to one or two colours in a first order.
- Use linings where they matter, such as light colours, and skip them where they do not.
- Choose a printed inside label rather than a woven one if comfort is your priority anyway.
- Keep the outside logo small and use one branding method per style.
- Match packaging to the sales channel: retail-ready for shops and online, simpler packing for resort shops that hang stock.
Getting a useful quote
The more exact your enquiry, the closer the quote is to the final order. Send:
- the styles from our white label swimwear range
- fabric for each style
- colours and a rough split by size
- lining and insert needs
- your logo, branding method and placement
- labels, tags and packaging
We send a quotation priced per style, by fabric, quantity and branding, with the lead time confirmed in it. We take enquiries from buyers worldwide. Shipping method, terms and documents are confirmed in the quotation.