Apparel MOQ Explained for New Brands

The minimum is a fabric order, not a factory rule

A minimum exists because a mill will not weave or knit less than a certain length, and because a machine has to be set up. That is why it moves when several styles share a fabric.

Why seamless is higher than cut and sew

A seamless body is produced by setting a knitting machine up for a programme, so the setup cost is spread across the run. Cut and sew styles here start at 200 pieces per colour, seamless styles at 300.

Why underwear is higher still

The invisible thong in this catalogue publishes a minimum of 2,000 pieces per colour. Underwear runs on different run lengths from outerwear, which is worth knowing before a range is planned around it.

The sentence that matters

The factory publishes this with every style: when more models in the same fabric and colour are added, the minimum can be negotiable. Plan a range around two or three fabrics and the per-style minimum falls.

Colours cost more than styles

Every colour is another fabric order at the minimum. Launching on fewer colours and more styles is usually the cheaper way to test a range.