What Is MOQ in Clothing Manufacturing? — Explained Simply
MOQ stands for Minimum Order Quantity. In clothing manufacturing, it is the smallest number of units a manufacturer will accept in a single production order. Understanding MOQ is essential for any brand or clothing entrepreneur planning their first production run — and choosing the right manufacturer for your MOQ requirement is one of the most important decisions you will make.
What MOQ Means for Clothing Brands
Every clothing manufacturer sets a minimum order quantity based on the economics of their production process. Below a certain quantity, the fixed costs of production — pattern development, screen setup, fabric minimum cut lengths, machine changeover — make the per-unit price uneconomically high for the manufacturer.
This is why manufacturers set MOQs: not to exclude small brands, but because production has genuine fixed costs that need to be spread across enough units to make them viable.
Why Manufacturers Have Different MOQs
Raw Material Minimums
Fabric mills have minimum order lengths — typically 100 metres or more. Below that minimum, the mill charges a premium or refuses the order. A manufacturer ordering fabric for a 50-unit run pays significantly more per metre than one ordering for 500 units.
Screen and Setup Costs
Screen printing requires film output and screen production for every colour in the design. These are fixed costs that exist regardless of order quantity. On a 500-unit order, those costs per unit are small. On a 50-unit order, they are significant.
Machine Changeover
Changing over a sewing line from one garment style to another takes time. That time costs money. On a 50-unit run, changeover time is a much higher proportion of total production time than on a 500-unit run.
ZN Apparel Manufacturers MOQ — Starting at 100 Units
ZN Apparel Manufacturers has structured our production process to make 100 units per style per colour our MOQ — the lowest point at which we can deliver factory-level quality and pricing. This makes professional bulk apparel manufacturing accessible to startup brands and first-time clothing entrepreneurs without requiring the large capital commitment that higher MOQ manufacturers demand.
How to Work With a 100-Unit MOQ
- 01Test with one style in one colour at 100 units — validate before scaling
- 02Order multiple colourways of the same style to amortise setup costs
- 03Plan your size breakdown carefully — each size combination uses units
- 04Reserve budget for sampling before committing to bulk
- 05Factor in reorder timing — 2-3 weeks lead time for repeat production
MOQ, answered.
Can I order less than 100 units from ZN Apparel Manufacturers?
No. 100 units per style per colour is our minimum. Below 100 units, the per-unit cost structure does not allow us to deliver the quality standard our clients expect. For orders below 100 units, print-on-demand services or sample-only orders are better options.
Does the MOQ apply separately to each colourway?
Yes. Each colourway of the same style requires its own 100-unit minimum. A t-shirt in three colours requires a minimum of 300 units in total (100 per colour).