§1What this business is
Dyed or bleached cotton knitted fabric with Lycra (spandex) is bought ready, inspected against light, cut in layers, stitched on over-lock, flat-lock and folding machines, checked, pressed and packed. Lycra gives a close fit without complicated tailoring. The profile aims at both the Indian market and exports.
Capacity: 22,500 dozen swimsuits a year.
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
A garment exporter or knitwear unit that wants to add a sportswear line.
Who it is not for
A beginner without buyers — the fabric bill is very large.
Advantages
- Machines cost only ₹5.60 L
- Fabric comes ready-dyed — no knitting or dyeing needed
- Export demand for sportswear
Drawbacks
- Fabric needs about ₹59 L of working capital
- Seasonal, fashion-driven demand
- Imports compete in a small home market
Skills you need
- Cutting and stitching stretch fabric
- Sizing and fit
- Export paperwork and buyer audits
Why difficulty 3/5: Large working capital and fashion risk, though the machinery is simple.
§3Market
Who buys
- Sportswear and swimwear brands
- Garment wholesalers and retailers
- Export buyers
How it sells
- Domestic wholesale and retail
- Export orders through buying houses
Good to know
- The profile names developed countries, South-East Asia and the Gulf as markets with large demand.
- The profile says India's garment exports are only about 2% of the world garment business.
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| High-speed four-thread over-lock machine with motor and stand (imported) | 5 | ₹2,25,000 |
| Flat folding machine with stand and table (imported) | 3 | ₹1,80,000 |
| Straight-knife cutting machine | 1 | ₹40,000 |
| Rib cutting machine with motor stand | 1 | ₹5,000 |
| Sewing machine with motor stand | 2 | ₹10,000 |
From: DC-MSME project profile — Ladies Swimwear (MSME-DI Ahmedabad) (2021)
- Dyed or bleached knitted cotton fabric with Lycra (90% cotton, 10% 40-denier Lycra)6,000 kg a month at ₹280/kg
- Elastic, zips, hooks, buttons and stickers₹1,12,500 a month
- Sewing thread₹5,000 a month
- Labels, size labels, polythene bags and boxes₹50,000 a month
From: DC-MSME project profile — Ladies Swimwear (MSME-DI Ahmedabad) (2021)
Suppliers in Building Business Bazaar
Akal Mechanical Works · Ludhiana →Coats India Ltd · Bengaluru →D.P. Elastics · Delhi →Industrial Machines Pvt. Ltd · Delhi →Industrial Sewing Systems · Chennai →M.D.R. Tapes Pvt. Ltd · Delhi →Mayfair Fabric · Ludhiana →Paras Special Machine Co · Ludhiana →Rita Mechanical Works Pvt. Ltd · Ludhiana →Sharmanji Fabric · Ludhiana →Sodhi Sewing Machine Co · Ludhiana →Superfine Knitters Ltd · Ludhiana →
§5Licences & registration
- Udyam registration
- GST registration
- Import Export Code (IEC) for exports
- Trade licence from the local body
§6Schemes & subsidies
- CGTMSECentralActiveNo collateral, up to ₹10 crore
- Stand-Up IndiaCentralClosed₹10 lakh – ₹1 crore loan
The ₹64.77 L project is above the PMEGP (₹50 L) limit; CGTMSE can cover a collateral-free loan, and Stand-Up India fits SC/ST and women founders.
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: 5 imported four-thread over-lock machines ₹2.25 L + 3 imported flat-folding machines ₹1.80 L + straight-knife cutter, rib cutter and 2 sewing machines ₹55,000 + tools ₹10,000 + lab equipment ₹10,000 + erection and electrification ₹48,000 + office equipment ₹25,000 + pre-operative ₹7,000 = fixed ₹5.60 L; working capital for 3 months ₹59,16,900. Total ₹64,76,900. Building rented.
Working capital: ₹19.72 L a month, of which knitted cotton-Lycra fabric 6,000 kg at ₹280/kg = ₹16.80 L; 3 months = ₹59,16,900.
Profile prepared in 2021 — check current machinery and material prices.
§8Export potential
Confirm the HS code in the DGFT ITC(HS) lookup before you export
Export council / board: AEPC (Apparel Export Promotion Council)
- Women's swimwear falls under 6112.41 (synthetic fibres) or 6112.49 (other textile materials) depending on fibre content.
- Confirm the 8-digit ITC(HS) line with DGFT or your customs broker before shipping.
- You need an Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT before the first shipment.
§9Risks — where people fail
- Unsold stock of a fashion item
- Fabric price changes
- Rejection by export buyers on quality
§1030 / 60 / 90-day plan
A general plan that applies to any business. A plan for this business will be added after research.
- Days 1–30: Visit a working ladies swimwear (cotton-lycra knit) unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
- Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (Udyam registration, GST registration), a project report (DPR), and the scheme or loan file.
- Days 61–90: Space and machines, trial production, and first deliveries to 10 customers.
§11Who to connect with
Associations, clusters and training institutes — the directory is being built. Connect
§12Watch
There is no episode on this business yet. Shows are coming soon on the Podcast page.
Want to start Ladies Swimwear (Cotton-Lycra Knit)?
DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.
¶Sources
Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.