MOQ, or minimum order quantity, is usually the first number a new brand asks about and the one that causes the most confusion. Ask three factories and you'll get three different answers, often with no explanation of where the number comes from.

This guide explains why minimums exist, how they change from sampling through to bulk, and how to plan a first order that works for both you and your manufacturer.

Why manufacturers set minimums

An MOQ isn't an arbitrary hurdle. It reflects real fixed costs that have to be spread across every piece in an order:

• Fabric: mills knit and dye in lots, often by the kilo or by the roll. A custom colour has a minimum dye-lot size.
• Trims: custom labels, zips, buttons and packaging all carry their own supplier minimums.
• Line setup: setting a production line for a new style takes time, whether it runs for one hour or one week.
• Branding: screens, embroidery files and transfer plates cost the same to make for 50 pieces or 5,000.

The lower the volume, the more each piece has to carry those costs. That's why unit prices fall as quantities rise.

The three order stages

Samples

Samples are made one or a few at a time by a dedicated sampling team. There's no MOQ in the usual sense, but samples are priced to cover pattern work and skilled sample machinists, so they cost more per piece than bulk.

Small batch

A small-batch run is a short production order, often used for a launch, a test market or a team order. It runs on a production line, but with less efficiency than bulk. Expect a higher unit price and fewer options for custom fabric and colour.

Bulk

Bulk is where pricing becomes most efficient. Custom fabrics, custom colours and the full range of finishes are available, and the line runs long enough to reach full speed.

MOQ per style, per colour, per size

This is where most confusion comes from. An MOQ can be quoted in several ways:

• Per style: the total pieces for one design across all colours and sizes.
• Per colour: the minimum for each colourway, usually driven by the dye-lot size.
• Per order: a total across several styles, sometimes allowed for simple ranges.

Always ask which one is being quoted. A minimum of 300 per style split across three colours and six sizes is a very different plan from 300 per colour.

“The question isn't just what the MOQ is. It's what the MOQ is made of.”

Ways to work within a minimum

• Use a stock fabric base. Standard bases and colours avoid custom dye-lot minimums.
• Share fabric across styles. A tee and a long-sleeve in the same fabric and colour can count toward the same fabric minimum.
• Limit colourways on your first drop. Two strong colours usually sell better than five weak ones anyway.
• Keep trims standard at first. Move to custom zips and hardware once volumes grow.
• Plan a size ratio, not equal sizes. Order more of your best-selling sizes and fewer at the extremes.

Planning your first order

Start from your sales plan, not from the factory's number. Estimate how many units you can realistically sell in the first season, then work backwards to a range that fits: how many styles, how many colours, how many units per size. Share that plan with us and we'll show you where it fits our minimums and where small changes could lower your unit cost.

What to send for an accurate quote

• Tech pack or reference garment for each style.
• Fabric composition and GSM, or the feel you're aiming for.
• Number of colourways and whether they're stock or custom.
• Branding method and placement.
• Target quantity per style and a rough size split.
• Target delivery date and destination.