How Much Do Jeans Cost Wholesale? A Global Market Guide

Clothing Manufacturing

Introduction

When searching for wholesale jeans, the most common question retailers and fashion entrepreneurs ask is: “How much do jeans cost wholesale?” Unlike T-shirts or basic knitwear, jeans involve complex pattern grading, specialized heavy-duty machinery, and—most critically—the highly technical, environmentally impactful, and cost-driving process of washing and finishing.

The final cost of a pair of custom jeans manufactured in bulk can swing wildly, ranging from $15 to over $100 per unit, depending on the fabric quality, the factory location, and the intensity of the desired wash.

This article will pull back the curtain on the denim supply chain, breaking down the true cost drivers so you can build a viable, profitable brand.

🛠 Wholesale Jeans Price Breakdown

Category	Wholesale Price Range	Features	Ideal For
Basic / Value Jeans	$5 – $12	Unbranded, simple washes, standard fits	Discount retailers, street markets, online bulk sellers
Mid-Range Fashion Jeans	$12 – $25	Trend washes, stretch denim, good quality construction	Boutiques, online fashion stores
Branded Wholesale Jeans	$25 – $50+	Famous brands, off-price, surplus stock	Department stores, multi-brand shops
Premium / Designer Jeans	$50 – $100+	Selvedge denim, specialty washes, luxury trims	High-end boutiques, designer resellers

Key Factors Shaping Wholesale Jeans Prices

Material Costs: The Base Layer Fabric drives 40-50% of pricing—a standard pair needs 1.4m: Budget $1.40 total; premium $5.30+. Organics add 15-20% but yield eco-cert premiums.

Manufacturing & Labor Low-wage zones rule budgets:

Bangladesh: $4.75-$7 elastic pairs.
China: $3.86-$8 basics; customs $15.50.
Vietnam (Newasia): $4-12, with embroidery +$1.40-2.80—leveraging skilled labor at 60% China rates.

Complex washes (e.g., laser vintage) hike by $1-2.

Order Volume & Logistics Scale slashes costs:

Small (2-50): $6.90-$32.71.
Bulk (500+): $0.30-$8. Freight: $4.98-$243/shipment; bulk cuts per-unit 50%.

Tariffs & Trade

South Korea: 15-20% savings via US cotton zero-tariff.
EU-Turkey Union: Duty-free EU entry.
Vietnam (CPTPP): 0-5% duties to US/UK, boosting Newasia’s appeal.

Factor	Impact on Price	Newasia Advantage
Materials	+15-20% for organics	GOTS-certified at +10% only
Labor	$0.40-2.80/piece	Vietnam: 20-30% savings vs. China
Volume	30-50% off at 300+	MOQ 100, tiered discounts
Tariffs	+10-30% landed	CPTPP: Near-zero to key markets

📊 Wholesale Cost vs. Manufacturing Cost

Many new buyers confuse manufacturing cost with wholesale cost. Here’s the difference:

Manufacturing cost (factory sewing + fabric + wash): $15 – $100+ per unit depending on fabric and finishing.
Wholesale cost (what resellers pay to distributors): Includes the above + distributor markups + logistics.

By sourcing directly from us, you skip middlemen and pay close to manufacturing cost while still enjoying wholesale flexibility.

Example:

With us: Factory $12 → Wholesale $13–16 → Retail $40–60.

Other distributors: Factory $12 → Wholesale $18–22 → Retail $40–60.

Below is an optimized version of the denim cost model guide, streamlined for clarity, conciseness, and strategic focus while retaining all essential information. The structure is simplified, redundant details are removed, and actionable insights are emphasized to guide decision-making for launching a custom denim line.

The Denim Cost Model: A Strategic Guide to Manufacturing Custom Jeans

To estimate the cost of manufacturing custom jeans in bulk, you must understand the four key cost pillars: Fabric, Labor and Construction, Washing and Finishing, and Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ). These drive the factory’s quote and your final per-unit cost. Below, we break down each pillar, provide cost tiers, highlight hidden expenses, and offer strategic recommendations for launching a denim line.

Part I: The Four Cost Pillars

1. Fabric: Denim Weight, Weave, and Content (Material Cost)

The raw denim (greige goods) is your largest expense, measured in ounces per square yard (oz/yd²). Fabric choice reflects your brand’s ethos and target market.

Denim Weight	Ounces (oz)	Cost/Yard (Wholesale)	Characteristics
Lightweight	5–9 oz	$3–$6	Soft, ideal for summer styles or shirts.
Mid-Weight	10–13 oz	$5–$10	Standard for most jeans, good drape.
Heavyweight	14–32 oz	$10–$30+	Durable, used for premium/raw denim.

Key Variables:

Cotton Quality: Organic or BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) cotton costs more than conventional cotton.
Stretch Content: Adding elastane (spandex) increases comfort but raises weaving costs slightly.
Selvedge vs. Open-End: Selvedge denim (woven on slow shuttle looms, with a finished edge) costs 3x–5x more than open-end denim (woven on high-speed looms).

Strategic Impact: For premium brands, invest in 12oz+ selvedge or high-quality ring-spun denim. For price-conscious markets, use 10oz stretch denim to keep costs low.

2. Labor and Construction: Manufacturing Complexity

Jeans require multiple components, specialized threads, needles, and sewing machines, making labor a significant cost driver.

Cost Drivers:

Pattern Complexity: Simple five-pocket jeans are cheaper than complex designs (e.g., carpenter pants with extra panels or asymmetrical pockets).
Stitch Detail: Heavy contrast stitching, triple-stitched seams, or intricate yoke designs increase production time.
Factory Location: Labor costs vary by region:
- Low-cost: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Cambodia (20%–40% cheaper).
- Mid-tier: Vietnam, Mexico, China (balance of quality and cost).
- High-cost: USA, Europe, Japan (premium, high-compliance facilities).
Compliance: Ethical factories with fair wages increase labor costs but ensure brand integrity.

Strategic Impact: Opt for simple designs to reduce labor costs, especially for initial runs. Choose ethical factories to align with consumer demand for transparency.

3. Washing, Finishing, and Treatment

Washing transforms raw denim into the desired aesthetic but can significantly increase costs due to chemicals, water, and labor.

Finishing Technique	Description	Cost Impact
Rinse Wash	Softens fabric with a water dip.	Low
Enzyme Wash	Breaks down indigo dye for slight fading.	Medium
Stone Wash	Tumbling with pumice stones for abrasion.	Medium
Hand Sanding/Whiskering	Manual sanding for fade lines on thighs/seat.	High (labor-intensive)
Distressing/Ripping	Manual distressing with tools for unique wear.	High (labor + waste)
Ozone/Laser Finishing	Eco-friendly, uses less water but expensive equipment.	High (machine costs)

Strategic Impact: Raw denim is cheapest, avoiding wash costs. Complex washes (e.g., heavy distressing) can double manufacturing costs ($20 raw vs. $40–$50 for a 5-step wash). Choose minimal washes for cost savings or eco-friendly methods for sustainability.

4. Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) and Production Scale

Factories spread fixed costs (machine setup, pattern prep, wash development) across units, making MOQ critical.

MOQ Range	Units per Style/Color	Cost Impact
Low MOQ	50–150	High ($10–$20 surcharge per unit due to setup costs).
Standard MOQ	300–500	Competitive pricing, ideal for emerging brands.
High MOQ	1,000+	Lowest per-unit cost, maximizes efficiency.

Key Rule: Each wash (e.g., light, dark, indigo) requires its own MOQ. Plan styles and washes strategically to meet factory minimums.

Strategic Impact: Aim for 300–500 units per style/color to balance cost and quality. Avoid low MOQs unless testing a small batch.

Core Price Ranges: From Budget to Premium

Tier	Cost Range	Details	Target Retail	Best For
Value-Priced	$15–$25	10–11 oz open-end stretch denim, basic stitching, rinse/light enzyme wash, low-cost regions (e.g., Bangladesh).	$30–$60	Fast-fashion, promotional apparel, basic lines.
Mid-Range/Streetwear	$28–$45	11–13 oz ring-spun denim, chain-stitching, YKK zippers, branded rivets, moderate wash (enzyme, light stone, whiskering), mid-tier regions (e.g., Vietnam).	$70–$140	Emerging/streetwear brands balancing quality and cost.
Premium/Heritage	$50–$100+	14 oz+ selvedge/organic denim, specialized stitching, custom hardware, raw or multi-stage eco-friendly washes, high-skill regions (e.g., USA, Japan).	$150–$300+	Designer, sustainable, or heritage brands.

Part III: Hidden Costs in Custom Denim Development

1. Pre-Production Costs

These one-time fees ensure your design is production-ready.

Development Cost	Description	Typical Fee
Pattern Creation	Paper patterns from your design.	$200–$500/style
Fit Grading	Adjusting patterns for size runs (e.g., waist 28–36).	$50–$100/size/style
Fit Sample (Proto)	Initial sample (2–4 samples typical).	$150–$300/sample
Wash Formula	Developing chemical/process for specific washes.	$300–$1,000/wash

Budget: $1,000–$3,000 per style for samples and development.

2. Trims and Hardware

Zippers: YKK (reliable, industry standard) vs. cheaper unbranded (risky).
Rivets/Buttons: Custom designs require a die-casting fee ($500–$2,000) and high MOQs (e.g., 5,000 units).
Patches: Custom leather/faux leather or woven patches add upfront costs.

3. Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing

Water Treatment: Closed-loop or ozone washing adds $1–$5/unit for eco-friendly production.
Certifications: BCI, GOTS, or Fair Trade cotton increases fabric costs.
Strategic Impact: Invest in sustainability for brand integrity and consumer appeal.

4. Shipping and Logistics

FOB (Free On Board): Factory cost excludes freight, insurance, and duties.
LDP (Landed Duty Paid): Includes all shipping costs (sea freight: cheapest; air freight: fastest, most expensive). Adds $1–$5/unit.
Strategic Impact: Negotiate LDP pricing for accurate cost estimates.

Part IV: Strategic Recommendations for Launching Your Denim Line

Prioritize Wash Strategy:
- Choose minimal washes (e.g., raw or rinse) to afford premium fabrics like selvedge.
- Reserve complex washes (distressing, laser fading) for premium lines to justify higher retail prices.
Optimize MOQ and Fit:
- Focus on 2–3 core fits (e.g., slim, relaxed) with 1–2 washes (dark, light) to meet 300–500 unit MOQs per style/color.
- Avoid multiple colors/washes in early seasons to keep costs manageable.
Budget for Development:
- Allocate $1,000–$3,000 per style for patterns, grading, and samples to ensure perfect fit and avoid production errors.
Understand the Factory:
- A denim factory combines three businesses: textile sourcing, garment construction, and chemical washing. Break down quotes to negotiate effectively on fabric, labor, and wash costs.
Balance Quality and Cost:
- For value-priced brands, use 10–11 oz open-end denim and simple washes.
- For premium brands, invest in 14 oz+ selvedge, ethical production, and eco-friendly washes to justify higher retail prices.

Key Factors Shaping Wholesale Prices

Material Costs: The Foundation of Pricing

Denim quality directly impacts costs. A standard men’s jean uses 1.4 meters of fabric, so:

Budget jeans: 7–8 yuan/m fabric = ~US$1.40 total fabric cost .
Premium jeans: 26–28 yuan/m fabric = ~US$5.30 total fabric cost .

Sustainable materials like organic cotton add 15–20% to fabric expenses .

Manufacturing & Labor

Regions with lower labor costs dominate the budget segment:

Bangladesh: US$4.75–7.00 per piece for cotton elastic jeans .
China: US$3.86–8.00 for basic styles, but custom designs rise to US$15.50 .
Turkey: US$0.50–4.60 for stocklots, but branded styles cost more . Complex processes like hand sanding or embroidery increase labor costs by US$1.40–2.80 per piece .

Order Volume & Logistics

MOQs significantly affect unit prices:

Small orders (2–50 pieces): US$6.90–32.71 per piece .
Bulk orders (500+ pieces): US$0.30–8.00 per piece . Shipping adds US$4.98–243.70 per shipment, with bulk orders reducing per-unit logistics costs .

Tariffs & Trade Agreements

Regional trade policies create price differences:

South Korea: EVISU jeans cost 15–20% less due to zero-tariff U.S. cotton and 8–13% import duties (vs. 30%+ in China) .
EU-Turkey Customs Union: Turkish jeans enter Europe duty-free, lowering wholesale prices for European buyers .

Conclusion

Manufacturing custom jeans requires balancing fabric quality, construction complexity, wash techniques, and order volume. By starting with a clear wash strategy, focusing on core fits, and budgeting for development, you can negotiate competitive factory quotes and build a denim brand that aligns with your market—whether fast-fashion, streetwear, or premium heritage.

Here is the definitive strategic guide for launching your line:

Start with the Wash: Decide on your wash aesthetic first. If you choose simple dark washes (minimal finishing), you can afford higher-end fabrics (like selvedge). If you need heavy fading and distressing, you must accept a higher overall cost per unit, regardless of the base fabric.
Focus on Fit, Not Color, for MOQ: In your first season, focus on perfecting two or three core fits (slim, relaxed, etc.) and keep the washes minimal (one dark, one light). This helps you hit the required 300-500 unit MOQ for each variation, securing better pricing.
Budget for Development: Treat your development budget ($1,000–$3,000 per style) as a necessary investment, not an expense. This ensures your patterns are perfect and you avoid costly production errors later.

By understanding that the denim factory is essentially three separate businesses—a textile buyer, a garment constructor, and a specialized chemical laundry—you can break down their quotes, negotiate effectively, and build a denim brand that thrives on quality and sustainable pricing.

FAQ: How Much Do Jeans Cost Wholesale?

1. What is the typical wholesale cost for a pair of jeans?

Wholesale costs for jeans (300+ units per style/color) vary by quality and production choices:

Value-Priced Jeans: $15–$25 (basic 10–11 oz stretch denim, simple rinse wash, low-cost regions like Bangladesh).
Mid-Range/Streetwear Jeans: $28–$45 (11–13 oz ring-spun denim, moderate washes like enzyme or light stone, mid-tier regions like Vietnam).
Premium/Heritage Jeans: $50–$100+ (14 oz+ selvedge or organic denim, complex washes or raw, high-skill regions like the USA or Japan).

Q2: What is your Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)?

We specialize in flexible production solutions to support emerging brands and growing businesses.

For highly customised or technical garments (such as specialised denim washes or intricate embroidery), MOQ requirements may range from 200 to 300 units.
Our standard MOQ ranges from 100 to 300 units per design, depending on fabric availability and production complexity.
For best pricing efficiency, MOQ is typically based on 300 per style per colour.
You can mix colors and sizes within the same style and fabric for greater flexibility.

Q3: What Services Do You Offer?

We provide full-cycle fashion support, including:

Sourcing: Local and global raw material, fabric R&D, and procurement (trims) with cost optimization.
Manufacturing: Custom manufacturing with quality control checkpoints.
Design & Development: Assistance with tech packs, trend research, and collection building.
Logistics: Shipping coordination to your warehouse or 3PL.
Sustainability Consulting: Eco-fabric sourcing, ethical production planning.

Q4: Can I Customize My Designs Fully?

We work with both OEM (your design, our production) and ODM (our templates customized for you) models. Customization options include:

Fabric type and color
Fit and sizing
Printing (screen, DTG, sublimation, embroidery)
Accessories (zippers, buttons, cords)
Labels, hangtags, branded packaging

Q5: What are your sustainability practices?

We’re committed to responsible manufacturing through:

Waste reduction programs and ethical labor practices (BSCI certified)
GOTS-certified organic cotton and recycled material options
OEKO-TEX® certified dyes and processing
Energy-efficient production technology

Q6: What Are Your Lead Times?

For in-stock items: ships worldwide within 3–7 days For custom orders: production lead time 15–30 days Urgent / Express Options: Available at a premium. Timing can vary depending on fabric development, approval cycles, and order complexity.

Q7: What is your production capacity?

Our facility employs 12,000 skilled employees, daily production capacity exceeds 100,000 pieces. We handle orders from 100 pieces to 50,000+ units across:

Activewear and sportswear
Denim and casual wear
Children’s clothing
Technical apparel

Q8: Where are your garments produced?

Our headquarters are based in China, where we operate our own vertically integrated factory. Our infrastructure and strategically placed worldwide manufacturing facilities allow us to offer extremely competitive pricing for fully custom clothing. offer flexible production options tailored to your needs. All manufacturing is supervised by our quality control team to ensure consistent standards.

Why Choose Us for Wholesale Jeans?

✅ Flexible MOQ –We accept a minimum order quantity of 100 pieces, allowing you to quickly test the market.
✅ Factory-Direct Pricing – We own our production lines, so you don’t pay middleman markups.
✅If a product becomes a hot seller, we can quickly reorder within 7-10 days to ensure uninterrupted sales.
✅We produce a wide variety of products in small batches, eliminating inventory risk.
✅Like Shein, we help you build a supply chain that supports small orders and fast returns.
✅Global Shipping – Experience with international logistics and customs
✅Custom tags and packaging options for bulk buyers, full customization of washes, embroideries and trims to meet your unique needs.
✅Flexible low MOQ for boutique brands + large-scale capacity for wholesalers
✅Trusted by top denim brands worldwide (Levi’s, Lee, Diesel, AEO)
✅Production scale – 140 lines, 12,000 workers, 15–30 day lead time
✅ Wide Fabric R&D and procurement – Organic cotton, recycled polyester, stretch denim, and performance blends.
✅ Private Label Services – Labels, hangtags, packaging tailored to your brand identity.
✅ Size Inclusivity – Full range from petite to plus-size.
✅ Sustainability Certifications – International quality standards – BSCI, OEM/ODM ISO14001 manufacturing certified, organic cotton and sustainable processes
✅ Reliable Lead Times – For in-stock items: ships worldwide within 3–7 days，For custom orders: production lead time 15–30 days
✅ Fast Lead Times – Ready-to-ship stock jeans + made-to-order production.
✅ Global Shipping – FOB and DDP options to the US, EU, and worldwide.

Our Manufacturing Capabilities

We specialize in a wide range of denim products:

Women’s Jeans: skinny, straight, wide-leg, mom jeans, cropped, flare
Men’s Jeans: slim, regular, relaxed, tapered
Custom Denim Jackets, Shorts & Skirts
Wash Techniques: stone wash, acid wash, mud wash, vintage fade, ripped & distressed
Fabric Types: stretch denim, rigid cotton, eco-friendly recycled fabrics

Choose Your Plan with Newasia Garment Co.,Ltd.

Ready-Made Plan
Ideal for startup brands and small-batch orders. With an MOQ of 20 pieces per style and color, this plan offers flexibility and efficiency—no need to provide your own size chart. Based on extensive project data, we provide both regular and oversized pattern options, ensuring quality craftsmanship and fast turnaround to help you get started with ease.

Custom-Made Plan
Designed for established brands seeking deep customization. With an MOQ of 100 pieces per style and color, this plan offers full customization: tailored sewing patterns, woven brand labels, diverse printing techniques, and more. We use sustainable production methods to accurately bring your creative vision to life and reflect your brand identity.