For First-Time Founders

Starting a Footwear Brand? Here's How Private Label Works for Startups

Lajwanti Designers works with first-time footwear founders on realistic, startup-friendly private-label projects: paid samples first, a clear minimum order, and a first collection that can grow. This page explains what starting actually involves — before you commit.

Request a Quote
Guided from your first idea Realistic first-order sizes Your brand, your logo
Sample firstSee the shoe before you commit to bulk.
Start smallRealistic first runs, built to grow.
Guided processYou do not need a tech pack or design skill.
Your brandingCustom logo, packaging and presentation available.

Before You Commit

What starting a footwear brand actually involves.

Most first-time founders arrive with a strong idea and very few of the practical pieces. That is completely normal — here is what we help you put in place.

You do not need a tech pack

A sketch, a reference photo or a short brief is enough to begin. We turn that into a design that can actually be sampled — not a wish list that cannot be made.

You do not need to be a designer

If you can describe the customer, the look and the price point, we can develop the shoe with you. Our job is to translate your direction into a working design and a physical sample.

You start with a paid sample

You begin with a paid sample. If the sample is right, you approve it and move into a small first production run. Bulk comes later, once the design is proven.

You do not need to guess the MOQ

For women's shoes, your first order is 120 pairs total — structured as 12 pairs per design, per colour. That is designed for a first collection that can be tested without overcommitting stock.

You do not need every detail first

Materials, colourways, branding and packaging can all be worked out as the project moves. Share what you know and we will fill in the gaps together.

You do not need to plan the whole range

Many founders start with one or two styles. Once those are approved and selling, extending the range is much easier than getting the first collection right in one attempt.

Your First Collection

From idea to approved sample, in four steps.

You approve each step before we move to the next. Nothing happens without your written sign-off.

01

Share your direction

Tell us the category, references, target market and a realistic budget for your first collection.

You approve: the plan
02

Design direction

We develop silhouettes, materials and colour options with you, then write up the confirmed specification.

You approve: the design
03

Paid sample

We make the approved design as a physical sample so you can check fit, build and finish. We revise until you approve.

You approve: the sample
04

First production run

The approved sample and spec go into your first quote. Women's minimum is 120 pairs total, arranged as 12 pairs per design, per colour.

You approve: the quote

The Numbers

What most first-time founders want to know.

These are the realistic figures most startup brands are working with. Exact numbers are confirmed in your quote.

120 pairsWomen's first order totalStructured as 12 pairs per design, per colour.
FlexibleMen's minimum orderLow MOQ confirmed in your quote.
500 boxesCustom packaging minimumExtra packaging can be stored or shipped with your order.
10–14 daysWomen's sample turnaroundOnce the design is approved and specification confirmed.

Minimum Order

Start with 120 pairs — not 1,200.

One of the biggest fears for a first-time footwear founder is the minimum order. Ours is intentionally small for women's footwear so you can launch a real collection without overcommitting on the first run.

  • Women's footwear — 120 pairs total for your first order, structured as 12 pairs per design, per colour.
  • Men's footwear — flexible and low minimum order. Confirmed in your quote based on the styles you choose.
  • Extend the range next season once the first styles are proven.
  • Exact figures are confirmed in writing before any production planning begins.

What's included

  • Custom logo placement on your styles
  • Proper brand presentation
  • Custom packaging available (500-box minimum)
  • Extra packaging stored or shipped — your choice
Start Your Collection Private Label Overview

Packaging & Branding

Your logo. Your packaging. Your call.

Custom branding is available for every project, and custom packaging is available from a 500-box minimum. Here is how it works in practice.

Custom logo & branding

Your brand can be placed on the shoe and through the presentation. Options depend on the style and materials, and are confirmed in your quote.

  • Logo on insole, sock, lining or upper
  • Pressed-in, foil, embossed or printed application
  • Woven labels and heat-transfer options
  • Hardware branding on buckles and rivets where applicable
  • Full brand presentation across your collection

Custom packaging

Custom packaging is available from a 500-box minimum. You decide what happens with the extra boxes beyond your first shipment.

  • Minimum 500 boxes for custom packaging
  • Extra boxes can be stored in our warehouse for future orders at no extra arrangement cost
  • Or we can ship them with your order — whichever you are more comfortable with
  • Shoebox branding, tissue and presentation aligned to your brand
  • Box, tissue and carton marking options confirmed in your quote

Buyer FAQ

Questions first-time founders ask before starting.

Yes. A sketch, a reference photo or a short brief is enough to begin. You do not need to be a designer or have a technical background. We help translate your direction into a working design and a physical sample.
For women's shoes, your first order is 120 pairs total. Those 120 pairs are arranged as 12 pairs per design, per colour — so you can spread them across multiple styles and colourways. For men's shoes, we keep the minimum flexible and low; the exact figure is confirmed in your quote based on the styles you choose.
Yes. Samples are paid and are produced against the specification agreed in writing. They are revised until you approve them. This is standard across B2B footwear development — there is no free sample stage.
The cost depends on your design, materials, quantity and branding. As a rough guide, budget covers the design and sample stage first, then your first 120-pair run (women's). Share your target budget at the brief stage and we will tell you what is realistic to build.
Yes. Custom packaging is available from a minimum of 500 boxes. If you order more boxes than your first shipment needs, the extra boxes can either be stored in our warehouse for your future orders, or shipped to you with your order — whichever you are more comfortable with.
Yes. Custom logo options and proper branding are available as part of your project. Logo placement on insoles, socks, lining or upper, plus woven labels, embossing, foil or print — all depending on the style and materials. The options are confirmed in your quote.
Women's samples typically take 10–14 days once the design is approved. Bulk production usually takes about 4–6 weeks after sample approval. Timelines are confirmed in your quote, and depend on the style, materials and quantity.
Yes. Many founders start with one or two styles and extend the range once they are approved. Starting small is often faster and cheaper than building a full collection before you have tested the market.

Your First Collection

Ready to start your footwear collection?

Send your direction, target market and a realistic budget. We will reply with design options, sample steps and how your first order would work.

Start Your Collection