What MOQ means
MOQ (minimum order quantity) is the smallest order a factory will accept. In apparel, it's usually counted per style, per color. So a 100-piece MOQ on a hoodie in three colors means 300 pieces.
Why factories set minimums
- Setup cost — pattern making, marker planning, machine setup and print screens cost the same for 10 pieces as for 1,000.
- Fabric minimums — mills knit and dye fabric in lots; small orders leave leftover fabric.
- Line efficiency — sewing lines run faster on long runs.
- Trims and labels — woven labels, zips and hardware have their own minimums.
Typical MOQs by factory type
| Factory type | Typical MOQ per style/color |
|---|---|
| Large export factory | 500–1,000+ |
| Mid-size custom manufacturer | 100–300 |
| Low-MOQ manufacturer | 50–100 |
| Small-batch specialist (like Wear Supply) | 10 |
What MOQ does to your launch budget
Say you launch five styles in two colors each:
- At a 300-piece MOQ → 3,000 pieces of inventory.
- At a 100-piece MOQ → 1,000 pieces.
- At a 10-piece MOQ → 100 pieces.
Same collection, a fraction of the cash and risk.
How to get a lower MOQ
- Use the factory's existing fabric — avoids fabric minimums.
- Start from a blank or private-label body — avoids new pattern costs. See private label.
- Accept a slightly higher per-piece price for a short run.
- Keep decoration simple — fewer print colors means fewer screens.
- Commit to reorders — factories flex for brands they expect to grow with.
- Choose a factory built for small runs — the simplest fix of all.
The trade-off: price per piece
Lower MOQs usually cost a little more per piece, because setup is spread over fewer units. That's usually worth it at launch: a slightly higher unit cost on 100 pieces you sell beats a lower unit cost on 1,000 pieces you don't.
Our minimum is 10 pieces per style, per color, across blanks, streetwear, activewear and denim. See how low-MOQ ordering works →