How much does a capsule collection cost? This is the question I hear most often. And the answer you find online is almost always unhelpful: “it depends”, “it varies a lot”, “from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands”.
Thank you. Very helpful.
The 90% of articles on fashion costs are written by people who have never produced a single garment. They give you ranges so wide as to be useless, or worse, completely made-up numbers.
I am Corrado Manenti, founder of Be A Designer. Over the past 14 years I have overseen over 200 capsule collection launches in our style office. I have seen the quotes, the invoices, the accounts that add up and those that don't.
In this article I will give you the real numbers. Those come out of my management system, not from a Google search.
How much does a capsule collection cost: the short answer
Before going into details, here is the direct answer:
💰 Budget capsule collection 2026 in Italy
- Minimum capsules (6-8 items): 8.000 - 15.000€
- Standard capsules (8-12 items): 15.000 - 20.000€
- Complete collection (5+ outfits): 20.000 - 35.000€
These numbers answer the question “how much does a capsule collection cost” by including everything: design, pattern making, fabrics, production, basic packaging and the essential photo shoot.
But numbers alone are not enough. You have to know where this money goes, because that is where the traps are hidden.
Complete Breakdown: where your money goes
Let us take as an example a capsule collection of 8 garments with production of 200 pieces in total (25 pieces per model on average). This is the most common scenario for starters.
1. Design and creative development
Includes: moodboard, trend research, sketches, technical drawings (flats), production data sheets.
What it affects: If you already have clear ideas and can draw, you save money. If you start from scratch and need full creative support, the cost goes up.
2. Modelling and patterns
Includes: pattern development, sizing development.
Average cost per garment: 100-300€ depending on complexity
A structured blazer costs more than a basic t-shirt.
3. Fabrics and materials
Includes: fabrics, linings, buttons, zips, labels, reinforcements.
Attention: Here lies the difference between a product that looks “homemade” and a professional one. Never skimp on fabrics.
4. Sampling and prototypes
Includes: first prototype, modifications, final approved sample.
How many rounds of modifications? On average 2-3. Each additional modification costs 50-150€ per item.
5. Production
Includes: cutting, wrapping, ironing, quality control, enveloping.
Medium façon cost: 15-40€ per item (for 200 items in total)
Minimums: In Italy we start from 20-30 pieces per model.
6. Packaging and Labelling
Includes: tags, woven labels, envelopes/boxes, mailing material.
Base: Labels + plain tag = €500
Premium: Customised boxes + tissue + stickers = € 1,500-2,000
7. Photo Shooting
Includes: photographer, model, styling, location, post-production.
Basic shooting (half day, still life + wearing): 800-1.200€
Full shooting (full day + video): 2.000-3.000€
Without professional photos, your capsule is invisible online. It is a non-negotiable investment.
How much does the capsule collection cost: summary table
📊 Summary costs capsules 8 items / 200 pieces
| Entry | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Design and development | 1.500€ | 3.500€ |
| Modelling | 800€ | 2.500€ |
| Fabrics and materials | 2.000€ | 6.000€ |
| Sampling | 800€ | 2.000€ |
| Production | 3.000€ | 8.000€ |
| Packaging | 500€ | 2.000€ |
| Shooting | 800€ | 3.000€ |
| TOTAL | 9.400€ | 27.000€ |
Realistic average for a quality capsule: 15.000 - 18.000€
The hidden costs that everyone forgets
So far we have talked about production costs. But there is another category that the 90% of aspiring designers completely ignores.
Marketing and launch: €2,000 - €5,000
Social media advertising, influencer seeding, PR, launch events. Without marketing, even the most beautiful capsule remains in the warehouse.
E-commerce and platform: EUR 500 - 2,000
Shopify or WooCommerce setup, payment gateway, first management fees.
Trade mark registration: € 500 - 6,000
Basic Italian mark: 500€. European trade mark: 1.000-1.500€. If you have to do prior art searches and full protection: 3.000-6.000€.
Contingencies: +10% of the budget
Fabric arriving defective, sample to be redone, production delays. Always set aside an extra 10%.
If you add it all up - production + marketing + setup - the real budget to launch a capsule collection in 2026 is:
15.000 - 25.000€
This is the real number. Anyone who tells you that you can do it with €3,000 is either lying to you or offering you something shoddy.
Where to save (and where NOT to save)
✅ Where you can optimise
- Number of heads: Better 6 perfect garments than 12 mediocre ones
- Colour palette: Fewer variants = fewer SKUs = less costs
- Archive models: Using existing bases instead of developing everything from scratch
- DIY shooting: For the first tests, a good smartphone and natural light may suffice
❌ Where NEVER to save
- Fabric quality: It is seen and heard. Always.
- Made in Italy: In 2026 is your main competitive advantage
- Photos for e-commerce: Bad photos = zero sales
- Packaging: It is the physical first impression of your brand
Capsule vs. complete collection: the comparison
🎯 Capsule Collection
- 6-12 garments
- Budget: 8,000-20,000€
- Low risk
- Time to market: 3-4 months
- Ideal for testing the market
📦 Complete Collection
- 20-40 heads
- Budget: 25,000-50,000
- Higher risk
- Time to market: 6-8 months
- For brands already validated
The capsule allows you to testing the market with low risk. If it works, you reinvest the earnings in the second capsule or a larger collection. If it does not work, you have lost 15,000€ instead of 35,000€.
- From the book “The Stylist's Journey”
FAQ - How much is capsule collection: frequently asked questions
How much does a capsule collection cost under 8,000€? Is it possible?
Technically yes, but I strongly advise against it. Under 8,000€ you have to cut too much: poor fabrics, no professional shooting, non-existent packaging. The result will be a product that does not represent your brand and will not sell. Better to wait a few more months and start with the right budget.
Are the costs different if I produce abroad?
Yes, but beware of false economies. In Asia, façon costs drop by 50-70%, but the minimums rise to 500-1000 pieces per model. For a capsule it makes no sense. Plus you lose the “Made in Italy” value, which in 2026 is a key asset to differentiate yourself from low-cost competitors.
How much budget should I keep for marketing?
Rule of thumb: at least 20-30% of the total budget. If you spend 15,000€ to produce, keep 3,000-5,000€ for the launch. Without marketing, your capsule will remain in the warehouse. Better to produce less and promote well than to produce a lot and sell nothing.
Can I recover my investment with the first capsule?
It is possible but not guaranteed. With a margin of 60-70% on retail prices and direct sales (e-commerce), you can reach break-even by selling 40-50% of production. But be realistic: the first capsule is mainly for market validation and brand building. The real profits come from the second or third collection.
Do I have to pay everything now or can I defer it?
The costs are spread over time: design at the beginning, fabrics in the middle, production and shooting at the end. On average, the process takes 4-5 months. You can plan your payments accordingly. Some suppliers also accept down payments of 30-50% with balance on delivery.
The next step
Now you have the real numbers. You know how much does a capsule collection cost in 2026 and where the money goes.
The next question is: how to turn these numbers into a concrete action plan?
This is where our method comes in. For 14 years we have been helping emerging designers optimise their budgets, avoid costly mistakes and launch capsule collections that really sell.
Do you want to know exactly how much YOUR capsules will cost?
Book a free consultation with my team. We will analyse your project and give you a personalised, no-obligation quote.
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Good luck!
Corrado Manenti
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