“Low MOQ” is the first thing most new brands look for in a clothing manufacturer, and the first thing that goes wrong in quotes. Here is what a minimum order quantity actually covers, why it exists, and how to plan a first run around it. The numbers below are how we work at our factory in Humen, Dongguan; other factories differ in the details, but the logic is the same almost everywhere.
What “100 pieces MOQ” means
At our factory the usual starting quantity is about 100 pieces per style, per colour. That means:
- One hoodie design in black: about 100 pieces.
- The same hoodie in black and grey: about 200 pieces (100 each).
- Two different hoodie designs in black: about 200 pieces (100 each).
The sizes are split inside each 100. A typical spread looks like this:
| Size | S | M | L | XL | XXL | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pieces | 15 | 30 | 30 | 20 | 5 | 100 |
You do not need 100 of each size.
Why the MOQ is per colour
The colour rule comes from fabric, not sewing. Fabric is knitted or woven and then dyed in lots. If the mill already has your colour in stock, a small run is easy. A custom colour usually means a dye-lot minimum of a few hundred metres, and that minimum is what pushes the garment MOQ up. Trims have their own minimums too: zips, labels, hang tags and boxes are all ordered in batches.
So when you ask how to lower the MOQ, the useful question is: which part drives it?
Four ways to keep a first run small
- Use stock fabric colours. Black, white, grey and navy are often available without a custom dye lot.
- Share one fabric across styles. A hoodie and pants in the same fleece (a tracksuit set) spreads the fabric minimum over two pieces.
- Keep trims simple. One label design and one hang tag across the range instead of a new set per style.
- Launch fewer colours. Two colours that sell beat five colours that sit in stock.
Denim is a special case
For jeans, the wash behaves like a colour. Rinse, stone, acid and vintage-look washes each need their own setup and sample, so two washes of the same jean are planned like two styles.
Low MOQ is not the only thing to check
A factory that accepts very small orders is useful only if the quality and timing hold. Before you choose on MOQ alone, ask:
- How long is the sample, and is it made in the real fabric? (Ours: 7–10 days.)
- How long is bulk after sample approval? (Ours: about 2 weeks.)
- Can you reorder the same style later at the same quantity?
- Who checks the garments against the approved sample before shipping?
A realistic first order
For a new streetwear label, a sensible first run is often one hoodie and one tee, each in one or two colours: roughly 200–400 pieces in total. Sell through, then reorder the winner. That keeps cash free for marketing, which is where most first drops actually need it.
Want a sanity check on quantities for your own range? Send us the styles and colours and we will tell you how we would split it.
