Why minimums exist at all
A low minimum is not a discount a factory chooses to give. It is the point where the fixed costs of a run still make sense. Four things set that floor:
- Fabric. Mills sell knit fabric by the batch. A custom dyed colour has its own minimum, often far more than a small brand needs.
- Set-up. Pattern, marker, screens and embroidery files cost the same for 30 pieces as for 3,000.
- Trims. Woven labels, custom zip pullers and knitted rib each carry their own minimum.
- Line time. Operators speed up as they repeat a style. A very short run never reaches that speed.
Five ways to get your order under the floor
- Use a stock fabric colour. This removes the dye lot minimum, which is usually the largest single constraint.
- Share one fabric across styles. A tee, a long sleeve and a tank in the same jersey meet the fabric minimum once between them.
- Cut colours, not sizes. Two colours in a full size run beats four colours with gaps. Gaps lose sales; colours multiply the minimum.
- Brand with labels instead of custom trims. A woven neck label and a printed hang tag carry your brand at a fraction of the commitment of custom hardware.
- Accept a higher unit price. Most factories, including us, will run a shorter batch if the price reflects the set-up. Ask instead of assuming the answer is no.
What does not change on a small run
Low MOQ here still means real cut and sew production: your pattern, your fabric choice, your fit, your labels. It is not printing on a blank garment. The sample and approval steps are the same, because a small run is usually a brand's first run, and that is exactly when getting the fit right matters most.
Work out your number before you ask
Minimums are quoted per style and per colour, so the total is easy to underestimate. Put your styles, colours and size ratio into the order quantity calculator and you will see the real total before you commit. The guide on how MOQ is counted explains the wording to watch for on a quote.
Close-up of the stitching and seam finish on a small batch order
Fabric swatches offered for small batch order, showing weight and colour options
Branded neck label and hang tag applied to a small batch order
Finished small batch order folded, bagged and packed for export
Questions buyers ask
What is your lowest minimum order?
It depends on the garment, the fabric and the decoration, so we confirm it per style on your quote. Stock fabric colours and simple trims give the lowest numbers.
Is the price per piece higher on a small order?
Yes. Pattern work, fabric minimums and set-up are spread over fewer pieces, so each one carries more of them.
Can I mix sizes within the minimum?
Yes. Minimums apply per style and colour; the size split inside that is yours to choose.
Can I reorder a small batch later?
Yes, and reorders are usually simpler because the pattern, stitch files and labels already exist.