What is MOQ in clothing manufacturing?

MOQ (minimum order quantity) is the smallest number of units a factory will produce for an order. It usually applies per style and often per colour, because each fabric colour needs its own dye lot and cutting setup.

What is Essential Apparel’s minimum order quantity?

Our low MOQ starts from 50 pieces per style and colour, making us a good fit for new and growing brands. Larger volumes unlock better per-unit pricing.

Does MOQ apply per colour or per style?

Typically per style and per colour. Each additional colour is a separate dye lot, so splitting one style across many colours raises the total minimum. The calculator above shows how your colour and size mix affects the total.

Free Apparel MOQ Calculator | Plan Your Minimum Order Quantity

Your Order Plan

Number of styles: 2

112

Colours per style: 2

Sizes per colour: 5

18 (XS–5XL)

Units per size: 10

1100

Factory MOQ per style/colour

Your Order Totals

0total units

Style + colour combinations0

Units per combination0

Required minimum (MOQ)0

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MOQ is usually applied per style and per colour. This planner assumes that model; your final terms may vary by fabric and process.

How minimum order quantity (MOQ) works

MOQ is the smallest run a factory will produce — and it's almost always counted per style and per colour, not across your whole order. Here's why and how to plan around it:

Per colour = per dye lot. Each colour needs its own fabric dyeing and cutting setup, so every colour carries the minimum.
Sizes split your run. If your MOQ is 50 and you offer 5 sizes, plan a sensible curve (e.g. more M/L, fewer XS/3XL) rather than 10 of each.
Fewer colours, deeper sizes is the cheapest way to clear MOQ when you're starting out.
Low MOQ lets you test. Our 50-piece minimum means you can validate a design before committing to a big run.

Not sure how to structure your first order? Tell us your idea and we'll help you plan a size and colour breakdown that meets MOQ without overstocking.