Did you know the swimwear manufacturer industry is currently worth nearly $13 billion and projected to reach $15 billion globally in the next five years? Despite being small garments, swimwear production involves complex considerations including fabrics, patterns, design techniques, and hygiene standards. We understand that finding the right manufacturing partner can make or break your fashion brand's success in this growing market.
Choosing between custom swimwear manufacturers and white-label options requires careful evaluation of your specific needs. Additionally, production costs can vary significantly—ranging from $9 to $30+ per piece depending on complexity and customization. The best swimwear manufacturers offer different minimum order quantities, with some like Arcus Apparel Group requiring as few as 50 pieces for small-batch production. Furthermore, if sustainability aligns with your brand values, sustainable swimwear manufacturer options utilizing materials like ECONYL and REPREVE (made from recycled materials) are increasingly available. Whether you're considering swimwear manufacturers USA-based like The Lefty Production Company in Los Angeles or international options such as The Kiniki Factory in England with over 40 years of experience, this guide will help you navigate the selection process to find high quality swimwear manufacturers that align with your brand vision.
Define Your Swimwear Brand Requirement
Successful swimwear brands begin with clearly defined requirements. Before contacting any swimwear manufacturer, you must understand exactly what you're creating and for whom. This foundational step determines everything from fabric selection to production costs and ultimately influences your brand's market position.
Target Market: Resortwear, Activewear, or Competitive Swimwear
Identifying your target market is the cornerstone of swimwear brand development. Many fashion businesses make the critical mistake of saying they target "anyone who likes my product"—an approach far too general for effective market positioning. Instead, determine whether you're creating resortwear for vacationers, activewear for fitness enthusiasts, or performance swimwear for competitive athletes.
Consider three common target categories when selecting a swimwear manufacturer:
Women's swimwear market: Requires designs that flatter various body types, often with adjustable straps, removable padding, or multi-way tie options
Men's swimwear market: Typically focused on durability, comfort, and specific features like inner liners or zippered pockets
Unisex or gender-neutral market: Growing segment with brands like Chromat and TomboyX offering inclusive options
Your target audience's lifestyle fundamentally shapes your product development. For instance, competitive swimmers need chlorine-resistant fabrics and streamlined designs, whereas resort customers might prioritize style and quick-drying capabilities. Answering questions about your customers' preferences, lifestyle, problems, and expendable income creates a solid foundation for all subsequent decisions.
Product Range: Bikinis, One-Pieces, Trunks, and Accessories
Once you've defined your target market, determine your product range. This decision affects which custom swimwear manufacturers can meet your needs, since not all factories excel in all categories. Some specialize exclusively in women's swimsuits, while others focus on swim trunks or performance wear.
The swimwear product landscape includes several distinct categories:
For women: one-piece suits, bikinis, tankinis, swim dresses, and athletic suits. Notably, one-piece suits tend to stay in place better for activities like diving or paddle boarding.
For men: swim trunks (casual, with varied lengths), swim briefs (form-fitting for performance), and board shorts (longer, with specific features for surfing).
For all genders: rashguards for sun protection, swim leggings for maximum coverage, and various accessories.
In reality, your product range should align with both market demands and your manufacturing capabilities. Many high quality swimwear manufacturers specialize in specific product types, so matching your vision with the right production partner is essential.
Sizing and Inclusivity Goals
The swimwear industry is experiencing a significant shift toward inclusivity. Consider that 65% of adults report size inclusivity as important when shopping for swimwear. This trend isn't merely ideological—it represents substantial business opportunity, especially considering nearly 70% of American women wear size 14 or above.
Younger generations particularly value inclusive sizing:
76% of Gen Z women
74% of millennial women
75% of Gen X women
66% of baby boomer women
Forward-thinking brands now offer expanded size ranges with innovative approaches. For example, YouSwim created suits that fit seven sizes in one through uniquely adaptable fabric. Meanwhile, other brands like Swimsuits For All offer sizes 2 to 34, priced identically regardless of size.
Importantly, inclusivity extends beyond sizing to consider different body types and needs. Features like adjustable straps, tummy control panels, supportive underwire, and varied coverage options help your products serve diverse customers.
When evaluating swimwear manufacturers USA or overseas, assess their capacity to produce your desired size range and incorporate inclusive design elements. The best swimwear manufacturers will have experience with varied body types and can guide you through technical considerations for creating truly inclusive products.
Evaluate Manufacturer Capabilities and Specializations
After defining your brand's core requirements, the next crucial step involves evaluating potential manufacturing partners based on their capabilities and specializations. Finding the perfect match between your vision and a manufacturer's expertise will ultimately determine your product quality, cost structure, and time-to-market.
Custom Swimwear Manufacturers vs. White Label Options
The decision between custom manufacturing and white label options fundamentally shapes your production strategy. Custom swimwear manufacturers create bespoke designs from scratch, giving you complete control over every aspect of the product. This approach grants you the freedom to align your product with your brand's ethos, vision, and esthetic. However, this path requires greater financial investment and longer development timelines.
In contrast, white label swimwear operates on a different model—you select ready-made designs from a manufacturer's portfolio and add your brand's tag. As Swimwear Manufacturers notes, their ready-design private labeling allows clients to establish their own swimwear line, albeit with limited design selection. This streamlined process significantly reduces overhead costs and production time, allowing you to redirect resources toward marketing and sales.
Consider these key differences when making your choice:
Originality: Custom manufacturing creates unique products exclusive to your brand, while white label designs might appear on competitors' racks under different labels.
Control: Custom manufacturing provides full authority over design, materials, and production, whereas white label offers limited customization possibilities.
Speed to Market: White label products can reach shelves substantially faster, making them ideal for brands prioritizing quick launches.
Small-Batch vs. Large-Scale Production Facilities
Production scale directly impacts your manufacturing options and business model. Small-batch manufacturers like Arcus Apparel Group specialize in serving niche businesses with MOQs as low as 50 pieces. This operator-friendly quantity ensures meticulous focus on quality, precision in craftsmanship, and speedy turnaround times.
Conversely, large-scale production facilities excel at mass production with higher minimum requirements. Chinese manufacturers, for instance, typically require MOQs starting around 300 pieces. These facilities offer advantages including cost efficiency, extensive production capacity, and access to a wide range of materials.
Your choice ultimately depends on your brand's growth stage and market strategy. Emerging brands might benefit from facilities like Movement MFG, which caters to small minimum order quantities with prompt production turnaround times.
Swimwear Manufacturers USA vs. Overseas Options
Geographic location significantly influences your manufacturing relationship, with distinct advantages to both domestic and international production.
American manufacturers offer compelling benefits including faster shipping, easier communication, and stricter labor regulations. Furthermore, USA-based production reduces supply chain risks and ensures adherence to stringent environmental regulations. Nevertheless, these advantages come with higher production costs.
Overseas manufacturing presents an alternative approach with its own merits. Countries like China provide cost efficiency and advanced manufacturing capabilities for large-scale production. Meanwhile, Indonesia (particularly Bali) has become a hotspot for ethical and small-batch swimwear production focusing on recycled materials and premium craftsmanship. Additionally, Portugal stands out for high-end textile production, making it a top choice for luxury swimwear brands following strict European labor and environmental regulations.
Ultimately, the ideal location depends on your business model, budget, and sustainability goals. As noted in industry analyzes, for cost-effective large-scale production, China remains the preferred choice; for small-batch sustainable production, Indonesia offers superior options; and for premium brands, Portugal provides unmatched quality.
Assess Fabric Quality and Material Options
Fabric selection remains the foundation of every successful swimwear line, directly impacting comfort, performance, and longevity. As a fashion brand searching for the right swimwear manufacturer, understanding different material options will help you make informed decisions that align with your brand's quality standards and market positioning.
Nylon, Polyester, and Elastane Blends for Durability
The most widely used swimwear fabrics combine synthetic bases with stretchy components to create durable, comfortable garments. Nylon-elastane blends (typically 80% nylon, 20% elastane) dominate women's fashion swimwear due to their silky feel, excellent stretch, and body-hugging properties. These blends dry quickly and resist abrasion from sand and pool surfaces.
Polyester-elastane combinations, generally containing 15-25% elastane, offer superior chlorine and UV resistance, making them ideal for competitive and high-performance swimwear. Moreover, polyester holds color better than nylon, maintaining vibrant prints even after repeated exposure to sunlight and pool chemicals.
When evaluating custom swimwear manufacturers, assess their fabric sourcing capabilities:
Nylon blends: Softer feel, moderate durability, quick-drying
Polyester blends: Greater durability, superior chlorine resistance, better color retention
Elastane content: Higher percentages (20-25%) suit recreational wear, while competitive suits use 15-20% for compression
Technical Fabrics: PBT and Power Mesh
Performance-focused swimwear brands often utilize specialized technical fabrics. Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) stands out with its exceptional chlorine resistance and natural stretch properties. Unlike standard synthetics, PBT maintains strength and shape even after hundreds of hours in treated pool water.
The best swimwear manufacturers offer PBT blends containing approximately 47% PBT combined with polyester, creating fabrics that move seamlessly with the body in all directions. This composition provides excellent stretch, elasticity, and quick-drying capabilities due to its low water absorption, consequently reducing drag during competitive swimming.
Power mesh, characterized by its permeable texture and elasticized properties, serves primarily as a structural element in swimwear linings. Its lightweight, open-hole structure provides breathable ventilation while remaining resistant to tearing—perfect for enhancing support in key areas of swimwear designs.
Sustainable Swimwear Manufacturer Options: ECONYL and Repreve
The swimwear industry increasingly embraces eco-friendly alternatives that maintain performance standards while reducing environmental impact. Two leading options have emerged for sustainable swimwear manufacturers:
ECONYL regenerated nylon transforms waste materials—including abandoned fishing nets, industrial plastics, and old carpets—into high-quality fabric indistinguishable from virgin nylon. This innovative material follows a four-step process: rescue (collecting waste), regenerate (purification), remake (processing into yarn), and reimagine (creating new products).
REPREVE offers another sustainable path by converting recycled plastic bottles into performance fibers. With over 16 billion plastic bottles already recycled into REPREVE fabrics, this material delivers comparable performance to traditional polyester. Undeniably, both sustainable options provide the stretch, durability, and UV protection essential for quality swimwear while significantly reducing environmental footprint.
When selecting a sustainable swimwear manufacturer, request fabric samples made from these materials to evaluate their feel, stretch, and recovery before committing to production.
Understand Minimum Order Quantities and Lead Times
Production logistics often determine which swimwear manufacturer best aligns with your business model. Understanding minimum order quantities (MOQs) and production timelines helps avoid costly surprises and ensures smooth operations from concept to delivery.
MOQ Ranges: 50 to 300+ Units
Minimum Order Quantity requirements vary significantly across the swimwear manufacturing landscape. Arcus Apparel Group offers one of the industry's lowest MOQs at just 50 pieces, making them ideal for startups and small-batch production. In contrast, La Isla typically requires 300 units per design, catering to more established brands.
Most manufacturers structure their MOQs according to specific parameters:
Per complete order: Ranges from 100-500 pieces depending on customization level
Per style/color/print: Typically 20-30 pieces
Per size: Often as low as 3 pieces per size
Bali Swim demonstrates flexibility by allowing mixed orders—for example, 40 tops, 40 bottoms, and 20 one-pieces to reach their 100-piece minimum. Likewise, many custom swimwear manufacturers allow style combinations within a single order to achieve MOQ requirements.
Turnaround Time: 2 Weeks to 2 Months
Production volume directly impacts manufacturing timelines. Smaller orders (50-99 pieces) typically require approximately 3 weeks for completion. Orders between 100-199 pieces generally need 1-1.5 months, whereas larger productions of 200-499 units demand roughly 2 months. Orders exceeding 500 pieces can extend lead times to 2-4 months.
Accordingly, manufacturers specializing in rapid production like Appareify can dramatically reduce these timelines through streamlined processes and advanced production technology. Additionally, using stock colors rather than custom dyes substantially accelerates production, with some manufacturers delivering in as little as two weeks.
Sample Production and Surcharge Policies
Sample development represents a critical step before committing to full production. Essentially, most manufacturers charge for samples, though these fees may be credited toward bulk orders. Free sampling commonly becomes available with larger commitments—typically orders exceeding 500 pieces.
Volume-based pricing structures prevail throughout the industry. Orders below standard MOQs usually incur surcharges—generally 20% extra for 100-199 pieces and 40% additional for 50-99 pieces. Conversely, larger orders often qualify for discounts, with some manufacturers offering 10% reductions for orders exceeding 1,500 units.
Prior to finalizing production arrangements, negotiate these fundamental aspects with potential manufacturing partners. Clarifying lead times, sample policies, and quantity requirements initially prevents misaligned expectations and establishes a foundation for successful collaboration.
Check Certifications, Ethics, and Communication Standards
Ethical manufacturing practices represent a cornerstone of sustainable swimwear production. When evaluating potential partners, looking beyond production capabilities to examine certifications, transparency, and communication standards ensures your brand aligns with consumer values and industry best practices.
Fair Wage and Ethical Labor Certifications
The most reputable swimwear manufacturers maintain specific certifications verifying their ethical standards. Look for partners certified by:
Fair Wear Foundation (FWF): Ensures workers receive fair wages and ethical working conditions
SA8000: A globally recognized certification for social accountability in factories
BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative): One of the most widely recognized certifications for ethical production in the fashion industry
These certifications verify that manufacturers prohibit forced labor, provide safe working conditions, and pay living wages. Ethical swimwear factories guarantee that "wages and benefits paid for a standard working week must meet, at a minimum, national legal standards or industry benchmark standards, whichever is higher". Chiefly, they ensure workers receive regular payment and prohibit deductions from wages as disciplinary measures.
Factory Visit Possibilities and Transparency
In the first place, transparency indicates a manufacturer's commitment to ethical practices. Many brands like TET Responsible Wear personally visit their factories "to meet the people we work with and to check if the working conditions are ethical". Even more, some engage third-party auditors to verify compliance with ethical standards.
Currently, manufacturers should provide clear information about their sourcing and production processes. This transparency builds trust with increasingly conscious consumers who base purchasing decisions on ethical considerations.
Communication Channels and Time Zone Considerations
Effective communication fundamentally impacts your manufacturing relationship. When working with overseas suppliers, miscommunication and information loss often occur when relationships are managed solely through calls. As much as possible, establish clear communication channels and mediums with your manufacturer.
Time zone differences present significant challenges, particularly with Asian manufacturers. For overseas production, clearly communicate your goals, quality requirements, and timelines straightaway to minimize misunderstandings. On the contrary, domestic swimwear manufacturers USA-based simplify communication but limit your options to what's available locally.
Conclusion
Finding the right swimwear manufacturer ultimately determines your brand's success in this competitive $13 billion industry. Throughout this guide, we've explored essential considerations that will help you make informed decisions when selecting your production partner.
Your journey begins with clearly defining brand requirements. Specifically, understanding your target market—whether resortwear enthusiasts, fitness swimmers, or competitive athletes—shapes every subsequent decision. Additionally, determining your product range and sizing strategy creates the foundation for manufacturer selection.
Custom manufacturing versus white label options present different advantages depending on your business model. Small-batch facilities suit emerging brands with limited capital, while large-scale producers offer economies of scale for established companies. Likewise, geographic considerations between domestic and international manufacturing involve tradeoffs between cost, communication ease, and quality control.
Fabric quality significantly impacts your final product's performance and durability. Traditional nylon-elastane and polyester blends remain industry standards, though technical fabrics like PBT offer enhanced performance benefits. Sustainable alternatives such as ECONYL and REPREVE have emerged as viable options for brands prioritizing environmental responsibility without sacrificing quality.
Practical logistics like minimum order quantities and lead times deserve careful consideration. MOQs ranging from 50 to 300+ units and production timelines between two weeks to four months vary widely among manufacturers. Therefore, aligning these requirements with your business scale proves crucial for operational success.
Ethical considerations and certifications have become increasingly important as consumers demand transparency. Fair Wage, BSCI, and other certifications verify manufacturer compliance with ethical standards. Factory visits and clear communication channels further strengthen these partnerships.
The perfect swimwear manufacturer balances your specific needs across all these dimensions. After thorough evaluation using the criteria outlined in this guide, you'll be positioned to select a manufacturing partner that aligns with your vision, values, and business goals. This thoughtful approach will undoubtedly set your swimwear brand on the path toward long-term success in this growing market.
FAQs
Q1. What are the key factors to consider when choosing a swimwear manufacturer? When selecting a swimwear manufacturer, consider your brand requirements, target market, product range, fabric quality, minimum order quantities, lead times, and ethical certifications. Also, evaluate their capabilities in custom or white-label production and their location (domestic or overseas).
Q2. How much does it typically cost to manufacture swimwear? The cost of manufacturing swimwear can range from $10 to $50 per piece. Factors influencing the price include fabric quality, design complexity, and production volume. Custom designs and smaller orders tend to be more expensive, while larger quantities often qualify for discounts.
Q3. What are the minimum order quantities (MOQs) for swimwear production? MOQs for swimwear production can vary widely, typically ranging from 50 to 300+ units. Some manufacturers like Arcus Apparel Group offer MOQs as low as 50 pieces, while others may require 300 or more. MOQs can also differ based on style, color, or size specifications.
Q4. How long does it take to manufacture swimwear? Production timelines for swimwear can range from 2 weeks to 4 months, depending on order size and complexity. Smaller orders (50-99 pieces) may take about 3 weeks, while larger orders (500+ pieces) can require 2-4 months. Using stock colors instead of custom dyes can significantly reduce production time.
Q5. What sustainable fabric options are available for swimwear production? Sustainable swimwear manufacturers often use eco-friendly materials like ECONYL (regenerated nylon from waste materials) and REPREVE (recycled plastic bottles). These fabrics offer comparable performance to traditional synthetics while significantly reducing environmental impact, making them ideal for brands prioritizing sustainability