How to Start Your Private Label Swimwear Brand in 2025 – Full Roadmap
The swimwear market is booming: $23.4 billion in 2025 and growing 7.8% yearly. Private label swimwear is one of the most profitable niches right now because margins are 60–75% and customers pay premium for the perfect fit and unique designs.
This is the exact playbook used by 7-figure swimwear brands that launched in the last 24 months – even if you’ve never touched a sewing machine.
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to create and launch your private label swimwear line with a realistic MOQ of just 400 pieces total.
Why Private Label Swimwear Is the Best Clothing Niche in 2025
- Average order value $85–$180
- Gross margins 60–75% (vs 30–40% for T-shirts)
- Customers buy 3–8 pieces per season
- High perceived value = easier to go viral on TikTok/Instagram
- Repeat purchase rate 40–60% with good fit
Step 1: Choose Your Private Label Swimwear Niche (Critical)
General “cute bikinis” = death in 2025. Winners are hyper-specific:
Top private label swimwear niches still open in 2025
- Modest swimwear / burkinis with UPF 50+
- Plus-size swimwear that actually supports F+ cups
- Mastectomy swimwear with pocketed tops
- Sustainable swimwear from regenerated nylon (Econyl)
- Reversible swimwear (2 looks in 1 piece)
- High-waisted bikinis for postpartum moms
- Men’s swim trunks with built-in compression liners
- Kids rash guards that don’t ride up
Pick one and own it.
Step 2: Validate Your Private Label Swimwear Idea (Under $500)
Build a waitlist before spending $8k+ on samples.
2025 validation method that still converts:
- Carrd or Shopify $1/month “Coming Soon” page
- Run TikTok + Meta ads (budget $300–$800)
- Offer “First 100 get 30% off + free scrunchie”
- Goal: 200–500 emails in 10 days → proceed
I’ve seen new private label swimwear brands hit 2,000+ emails spending only $600.
Step 3: Design Your First 4–6 Styles
You need:
- 2–3 tops (triangle, underwire, one-shoulder, etc.)
- 2–3 bottoms (high-waist, cheeky, Brazilian, etc.)
- 1–2 one-pieces
Use Canva or hire a swimwear designer on Upwork ($200–$500 per style).
Step 4: Best Private Label Swimwear Manufacturers 2025 (MOQ 400 pcs)
These factories actually accept MOQ 400 pcs total (not per size/color) in 2025:
| Factory Location | Specialty | MOQ Total | One-Piece Cost (landed) | Bikini Set Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fujian, China | High-end cut & sew, reversible, Econyl | 400 pcs | $11–$16 | $9–$14 |
| Bali, Indonesia | Handmade details, sustainable fabrics | 350–500 pcs | $14–$22 | $12–$18 |
| Medellín, Colombia | Sexy Brazilian cuts, fast sampling | 400 pcs | $10–$15 | $8–$13 |
| Dhaka, Bangladesh | Budget-friendly basics | 500 pcs | $7–$11 | $6–$10 |
| Portugal (EU) | Premium European quality, quick shipping to USA/EU | 300–500 pcs | $18–$28 | $16–$24 |
Pro tip: Search “private label swimwear manufacturers” on Alibaba → filter Gold Suppliers → message 40+ asking for “MOQ 400 pcs total across 4 styles, 6 sizes each”. At least 8–12 will agree.
Step 5: Tech Packs & Samples (Non-Negotiable for Swimwear)
Swimwear fit is everything. A $250–$400 professional swimwear tech pack prevents disasters.
Must include in your swimwear tech pack:
- Graded size chart with bust, underbust, waist, hip, torso length
- Elastic length and recovery specs
- Lining requirements (power mesh, full lining)
- Padding pocket specs (for removable cups)
- Stitch type (flatlock vs coverstitch vs zigzag)
First sample round: $120–$350 per style Expect 2–3 sample rounds to nail fit.
Step 6: Real Cost Breakdown – Private Label Swimwear (MOQ 400 pcs)
| Expense | Low Budget | Realistic Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Tech packs (5 styles) | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Samples (3 rounds) | $1,200 | $2,500 |
| Production 400 pcs (5 styles) | $5,800 | $9,500 |
| Custom labels, hygiene liners, bags | $800 | $1,500 |
| Freight + duties | $1,200 | $2,200 |
| Professional photoshoot (water + studio) | $1,500 | $4,000 |
| Shopify store + apps | $400 | $1,000 |
| Launch ads & influencer seeding | $2,000 | $7,000 |
| Total to launch | $14,100 | $29,700 |
- Bikini sets: $79–$149
- One-pieces: $98–$198 → 65–75% margins
Step 7: Branding & Packaging That Makes People Post
Private label swimwear lives or dies on Instagram.
Must-have branding:
- Waterproof swing tags
- Recycled mailer bags with your logo
- Hygiene liners with branding
- Free scrunchie or waterproof pouch with every order
- Thank you card with QR code to VIP Facebook group
Step 8: Launch Strategy That Sells Out 400 Pieces in Days
The exact 2025 playbook:
- Build TikTok/IG 60–90 days pre-launch (daily try-on, fabric close-ups)
- Seed 30–70 micro-influencers (5k–30k followers) with free suits for content
- Launch with scarcity: “Only 400 pieces made – never restocking this print”
- Use Klaviyo SMS + email (abandoned cart recovers 35%+)
- Run TikTok Shop + Meta ads from day 1
Brands using this sell out their entire MOQ 400 pcs drop in 4–14 days.
FAQ – Private Label Swimwear 2025
Can I start private label swimwear with $5,000? No. Realistic minimum is $12,000–$15,000. Swimwear is more technical and expensive than T-shirts.
Is MOQ 400 pcs realistic for swimwear? Yes – it’s the 2025 sweet spot. Many factories now accept 400 pcs total across all styles/sizes.
Where is the best place to manufacture private label swimwear? China (Fujian) for quality + speed, Indonesia for handmade/sustainable, Colombia for sexy cuts.
Should I use print-on-demand for swimwear first? Never. Fit and fabric quality are everything. POD swimwear looks cheap and gets returned 40%+.
How profitable is private label swimwear? Extremely. Average 68% gross margin after all costs. Many brands hit 7-figures in year 2.
2025 is the golden window to launch your private label swimwear brand. The market is growing, factories are more flexible than ever with MOQ 400 pcs, and customers are hungry for fresh, niche-focused brands.
Stop overthinking. Pick your niche, validate fast, lock in your manufacturer, and launch.
Your first sold-out drop is waiting.