The socks price per pair is set by six things: the style, the yarn blend, the knitted design, the quantity per style, how the order is split, and the packing. We quote per style, by fabric, quantity and branding, so two buyers asking for “plain black crew socks with a logo” can receive different quotes because one wants a gift box and the other wants a paper band.
This post explains what each factor does to the cost, so you can decide where to spend and where to save before you ask for a quotation. We do not publish prices, because every quote depends on the mix below.
The sock itself: style and yarn
The first cost driver is how much yarn goes into each pair and how long the sock takes to knit.
- Ankle socks use the least yarn. The leg is short, and the logo area is small.
- Crew socks reach the lower calf, so they use more yarn and take longer to knit.
- Sports socks usually have a terry-loop sole and a ribbed band around the arch. The loops add yarn and knitting time, so a sports sock generally costs more than a plain sock of the same length.
- Custom pattern socks carry a knitted design across most of the sock. The pattern adds yarn changes and set-up work.
The yarn blend matters too. We knit socks in cotton blend or polyester blend. Each blend has its own yarn cost, and some colours are easier to source in one blend than the other. If you are open on blend, tell us what matters most (soft daily feel, strong colour, shape after washing) and we quote the option that fits.
The design: knitted logo and colour count
On socks, the logo is knitted into the fabric using jacquard knitting. It is part of the sock, not printed on top. That changes how the design affects cost.
- Number of yarn colours in the design. Each extra colour in a jacquard design is another yarn feeding into the knit. More colours mean more set-up and slower knitting.
- Size and placement of the logo. A small logo at the cuff is simpler than a design that runs down the leg or across the foot.
- Detail level. Bold shapes knit cleanly. Fine lines, small text and gradients do not knit well, and trying to force them adds sampling rounds. We advise on artwork before sampling, so you do not pay to sample a design that will not work.
A plain sock with a one-colour cuff logo sits at the simpler end. A full custom pattern in five colours sits at the other.
Quantity and order split
The minimum for socks is 300 pieces per style. Sizes can be mixed within a style, using our two shoe-size ranges, UK 4–7 and UK 8–11. The colour split is confirmed at quotation.
Quantity changes the price per pair in two ways:
- Set-up is shared across the run. Programming a jacquard design and setting up yarns happens once per design. Spread over a larger quantity, it adds less to each pair.
- Splits add work. If your 300 pieces are split across several colourways, each colourway needs its own yarn set-up. The order is the same size, but the work behind it is not.
If your budget is tight, one style in one or two colourways at a solid quantity usually gives a better price per pair than many small splits. You can add colourways on reorder once you know what sells. Our page on minimum order and samples explains how minimums and samples work across all our products.
Packing: often the biggest swing
Socks are a small product, so the packing can be a large share of the cost of each pair. Here is how the options compare in work and material.
| Packing option | What it involves | Effect on cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sticker only | Barcode or size sticker on the pair | Lowest |
| Paper band | Printed band wrapped around the pair | Low |
| Header card | Printed card folded over the top, often with a hanging hole | Moderate |
| Hang tag | Printed tag attached to the pair | Moderate |
| Multi-pair pack | Several pairs grouped and banded or carded together | Depends on pack size |
| Gift box | Printed box holding one or more pairs | Highest |
Printed packing has its own set-up for each design, so the same rule applies: fewer designs across more pairs keeps the cost per pair down. A single header card design with a size sticker is cheaper than a separate printed card for every size and colour.
Things that change the total but not the sock
A few items sit outside the sock and its packing but still affect what you pay:
- Sampling. A sample lets you approve the knit, the logo colours and the packing before bulk production. A second round of changes adds a second sample.
- Labelling for your destination. Labelling requirements vary by country and are confirmed at quotation. Extra wording or extra stickers add a little to the packing work.
- Shipping. We take enquiries from buyers worldwide. Shipping method, terms and documents are confirmed in the quotation.
Payment follows our standard process: an advance to start production, and the balance before dispatch.
How to get an accurate quote
The clearer the request, the fewer revisions the quote needs. Send us:
- The style (crew, ankle, sports or custom pattern).
- The yarn blend, or what you want the sock to feel like.
- Colours, and quantities per size range.
- Your logo or artwork, with the number of colours.
- The packing you want, and whether you need multi-pair packs.
- The destination country.
Send these through the white label socks page or our contact form, along with photos of any socks you like, and we will come back with a quotation for each style.