MOQ Explained: How Minimum Order Quantities Work in Sportswear Manufacturing

MOQ — Minimum Order Quantity — is one of the first terms you will encounter when contacting a sportswear manufacturer. Understanding how it works, why it exists, and how to work with it is essential for any brand owner.

What Is MOQ?

MOQ is the minimum number of units a manufacturer will produce in a single order. It exists because every production run has fixed costs — setting up the machinery, cutting the patterns, preparing the screens or sublimation prints — that need to be spread across enough units to make production financially viable.

Why MOQ Varies Between Manufacturers

• Large factories with high overheads need high MOQs to cover fixed costs
• Specialist factories with optimized small-batch production can offer lower MOQs
• Simple designs with fewer components allow lower MOQs
• Custom fabrics and specialized techniques typically require higher MOQs

How to Work With a 20-Piece MOQ

A 20-piece MOQ is low enough to test your market without significant financial risk. Here is how to make the most of it:

• Order one design in one colorway for your first run
• Use the 20 pieces as samples, press pieces, and initial sales inventory
• Price your product to account for the higher per-unit cost of small runs
• Use customer feedback to refine before your second larger order