What Is MOQ?
Minimum order quantity (MOQ) is the smallest order a factory will accept for a given style. It is usually expressed in pieces per style, sometimes split across colours and sizes — for example, 1,200 pieces per style in up to four colours. MOQ is one of the first things to clarify with any manufacturer, because it shapes your budget, your inventory risk, and your pricing.
Why Factories Require Minimums
MOQs exist for practical reasons, not to frustrate small brands. Setting up a production line — cutting markers, calibrating machines, mixing dye lots, preparing embroidery files — costs roughly the same whether the run is 500 or 5,000 pieces. Fabric mills also sell in minimum quantities, and dyeing is done in batches that cannot be split economically. The MOQ simply reflects the point where production becomes viable for both sides.
Typical MOQs by Product Category
- Basic T-shirts and polo shirts: often 1,000–2,000 pieces per style.
- Hoodies, sweatshirts and joggers: often 800–1,500 pieces per style, since fleece fabric comes in fixed roll quantities.
- Woven shirts: often 1,000–2,000 pieces per style.
- Jackets and complex outerwear: often 500–1,000 pieces per style, reflecting higher unit values.
These are indicative ranges — actual MOQs depend on fabric availability, decoration complexity, and the factory’s capacity.
How MOQ Affects Your Unit Price
Unit cost falls as quantity rises because setup costs are spread across more pieces. Doubling an order from 1,000 to 2,000 pieces might reduce the unit price by 10–20%. When comparing quotes between factories, always compare at the same quantity — a lower unit price at a higher MOQ is not necessarily a better deal for your cash flow.
Strategies for Working with MOQs
- Consolidate styles: use the same fabric across several styles to reach the mill’s fabric minimum more easily.
- Limit colourways: fewer colours per style means less dyeing setup and lower risk of leftover stock.
- Start with core products: launch with proven basics, then expand into fashion styles once sales data guides you.
- Ask about stock fabrics: some factories hold greige or stock-dyed fabrics that allow smaller runs.
A good manufacturing partner will be honest about what quantities make sense for your stage of growth — and will grow with you as your orders increase.