Apparel · Cost Guide
How Much Does It Cost to Manufacture Beanies / Knit Caps?
A complete breakdown of unit costs, tooling, materials, shipping, and lead times for manufacturing beanies / knit caps.
Unit Cost
$0.80–$3.50
per unit
Lead Time
30 days
avg. production
MOQ Range
300–2,000
units minimum
Tooling Cost
$0.00–$500.00
one-time setup
Overview
Beanies are a high-margin seasonal accessory with simple construction and low MOQs. Acrylic is the dominant material for its softness, color range, and low cost. Merino wool is the premium tier. Embroidered or woven-patch logos are standard branding methods. Flat-knit construction is more modern; rib-knit is more traditional.
Cost Breakdown
| Cost Component | Range | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Manufacturing Cost | $0.80–$3.50 | Per unit |
| Tooling / Mold Setup | $0.00–$500.00 | One-time |
| Shipping per Unit | $0.03–$0.08 | Per unit |
| Total Landed Cost (est.) | $0.83–$3.58 | Per unit |
* Tooling costs are amortized across your order quantity. Actual costs vary based on supplier, materials, and order volume.
Cost Breakdown Visual
Country Comparison
| Metric | China | Bangladesh | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit Cost | $1.83–$2.47 | $1.68–$2.27 | $1.97–$2.67 |
| Typical MOQ | 1,150 | 1,380 | 1,265 |
| Lead Time | 30 days | 38 days | 35 days |
| Tooling Cost | $213.00–$288.00 | $276.00–$374.00 | $255.00–$345.00 |
Green = lowest cost per row. Estimates include ±15% variance.
Margin Calculator
Gross Margin
66.7%
Excellent
Landed Cost (est.)
$2.21
per unit, mid-range
Break-even (est.)
227
units to cover $1k
What Drives the Cost?
Best Manufacturing Countries
China
World's largest manufacturing hub. Excellent for high-volume production with mature supply chains and competitive pricing across virtually all product categories.
Bangladesh
Among the lowest labor costs globally. Dominant in basic apparel and textiles. Growing capability in more complex garments.
Vietnam
Rapidly growing alternative to China with lower labor costs. Especially strong in textiles, footwear, furniture, and electronics assembly.
Common Materials
Margin Advice
Target 75-85% retail margin. Acrylic beanies are the highest-margin option ($0.80-1.50 FOB, $15-25 retail). Merino wool commands premium pricing ($25-40 retail). Leather or woven patch branding adds $0.20-0.50 per unit and significantly increases perceived value.
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