If you’re planning a knitwear collection, one of the first questions that comes up is simple:
“How much does a sweater cost?“
And if you’ve asked suppliers before, you’ve probably noticed how often the answer is vague. You’ll hear: “It depends” or “We need to see the design first”.
Technically, that’s true. There isn’t one single price for all sweaters. But let’s be honest—hearing “it depends” doesn’t help you plan a budget, compare your options, or even decide if a project is realistic.
Fashion brands need a clear point of reference. So let’s break it down together.
Typical unit cost of sweaters in production
Based on projects developed at Piwi Femma for established fashion brands across Europe, pricing usually looks like this:
- Most sweaters fall between €28–70 (120–300 PLN).
This is the range where the majority of sweater collections land. Sweaters here are typically made from fibers like merino, wool, alpaca, mohair, cotton, viscose, or blends of these. At the lower end, yarns may include acrylic or wool with a higher share of synthetic fibers. - Some sweaters are in the €70–120 (300–500 PLN) range.
This is usually where 100% cashmere or mohair blended with silk appear. These projects often use heavier knits, which means more yarn and more production time. - Can sweaters cost more than €120 (500+ PLN)?
Yes—but this is rare in commercial knitwear manufacturing. Such prices usually appear when a brand specifies highly unusual yarns, complex structures, or niche luxury requirements.
Please note: these are unit prices in bulk production, calculated per sweater.
So where will your sweater land? That depends entirely on the details of the project.
What shapes the final price?
Three main factors drive the cost in sweater production:
- Yarn composition
Different fibers come with very different costs. Blends with synthetics are generally more affordable. 100% natural luxury yarns like cashmere, mohair, or silk push the cost higher. - Knit thickness
A fine-gauge sweater uses less yarn. A chunky knit requires much more. Even if you use the same yarn, thickness alone can shift the final price noticeably. - Design complexity
This is one of the most underestimated factors. On paper, two sweaters may look similar, but one can take twice as long to knit and finish.
A plain jersey structure is straightforward for the machines to program and run. But cables, jacquards, or textured stitches slow everything down. The program is more demanding, the machine runs slower, and production time (and cost) go up.
And design complexity doesn’t stop at the knitting room. Construction details—like a special collar shape, pockets, buttons, zippers, embroidery, or prints—all add steps for the sewing and finishing team. Each of those steps takes time, and time always shows up in the final price.
That is why yarn, knit structure, and garment details should always be considered separately when discussing private label knitwear manufacturing.
Why every project starts with a brief
In professional sweater manufacturing, the process always starts with a project brief. This is the step that transforms vague budget ranges into real numbers.
A brief should answer questions like:
- What should Your customers love most about this sweater?
- Which features are essential, and what should be avoided?
- How many pieces are planned in total, and how should they be divided into colours and sizes?
At Piwi Femma, your answers provide the context needed to evaluate the project. Based on that, suitable yarns are recommended, indicative prices are prepared, and possible options are outlined. If a budget is already defined, proposals can be adapted to fit it.
How to evaluate the options
Numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. Brands need to see and feel the difference between yarns and knit structures.
That’s why yarn catalogues, showroom models, and swatches (knitted samples in the actual yarn, stitch, and thickness) are offered for evaluation.
A swatch is usually a paid service in sweater production, but it prevents guesswork and provides full clarity before moving to the proto sample.
From swatch to proto to bulk
Once the direction is clear, a proto sample is knitted in the chosen yarn and structure. This lets brands test the fit, finishing, and overall feel.
Only after approval does bulk production begin.
- Lead times at Piwi Femma: ~4 weeks for proto, ~8–12 weeks for bulk.
- MOQ at Piwi Femma: 200 pcs per model, with the option to split across colours and sizes.
Why this process matters
Transparent pricing in private label knitwear manufacturing is not about giving a single number—it’s about clarity. Knowing the ranges, the factors behind the cost, and the step-by-step process allows brands to:
- budget with confidence,
- set clear expectations,
- and launch sweaters that customers will love to wear.
Your next step
If you’d like to see where your sweater project would land in these ranges, the best way forward is a short project review.
At Piwi Femma, this process begins with that step: you share your idea, priorities, and quantities, and the team analyzes your input, presents yarn and knit options, and prepares indicative pricing.
Together, the most suitable path for your knitwear collection is identified.
