What MOQ to Expect from a Custom Apparel Factory in China

If you are sourcing custom apparel from China for the first time, the first number you will negotiate over is the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ). This guide explains what MOQ to expect from a reputable factory, what pushes your MOQ up or down, and how to get a lower MOQ without cutting corners on quality.

Quick answer

Most reputable custom apparel factories in China work with an MOQ between 50 and 500 pieces per style, per color, per size run. T-shirts and polos typically start at 100-200 pieces when you use stock fabric. Custom-fabric garments (custom-dyed cotton, custom fleece, technical knits) usually require 200-500 pieces because of fabric mill minimums.

If a supplier quotes you an MOQ of 10 pieces or “no MOQ at all”, that is usually a trading company or a print shop, not a factory that can run your bulk production. Be careful.

Why factories set an MOQ at all

An MOQ is not the factory trying to squeeze you. It reflects real fixed costs in apparel production:

• Pattern and sample making: each new style needs its own pattern, sample sew, and fitting, typically 200-500 USD of upfront work.
• Fabric sourcing minimums: knit fabric mills in China usually dye 300-500 kg per colorway. At 180 gsm and 200 g per t-shirt, that is 1,500-2,500 shirts per fabric color.
• Production line setup: each style change requires thread, machine setup, and QC recalibration, usually 1-2 hours of downtime per change.
• Quality control overhead: in-line QC and final inspection take roughly the same time whether you make 100 pieces or 1,000.

Once you understand those costs, MOQ stops feeling arbitrary.

Typical MOQ by product type

The numbers above assume a single decoration method (screen print, embroidery, or sublimation). Mixing methods does not usually raise MOQ, but full sublimation cut-and-sew does, because of print setup.

6 factors that change your MOQ

1. Custom fabric vs. stock fabric

This is the single biggest driver. Stock fabric is what the factory already has in their warehouse, usually greige cotton, poly-cotton blends, basic fleece, or denim. Custom fabric means you specify a yarn count, weight, finish, or color that the mill has to produce for you. Custom fabric orders hit the mill MOQ (300-500 kg) and that translates to a higher garment MOQ.

2. Decoration complexity

Screen print, DTG, and basic embroidery are standard and add little to MOQ. Specialty decoration (high-density print, puff print, multi-color sublimation, sequin, or appliqué) usually requires manual setup and may push MOQ up 20-50%.

3. Number of SKUs per order

Factories usually set MOQ per style, per color. If you want 5 styles with 3 colors each, you need to hit 15 x MOQ minimums, not one global minimum. Smart buyers combine styles that share fabric to reduce this.

4. Lead time

Rush jobs (under 25 days) often come with a higher MOQ because the factory cannot afford to break production lines for a small batch.

5. Labels, tags, and packaging

Custom woven labels, hang tags, and individual poly-bag packaging add setup time. Stock labels in stock positions keep MOQ low. Fully custom label + custom poly bag + custom carton usually adds 100 pieces to the MOQ.

6. Payment terms and order history

New buyers get quoted the higher end of MOQ. After 2-3 successful orders, factories typically relax MOQ by 30-50% for repeat customers.

How to negotiate a lower MOQ (without losing quality)

1. Start with stock fabric. This is the single biggest lever. If the factory has your fabric in greige, you can order 100-200 pieces per style.
2. Combine styles that share fabric. A 4-style t-shirt order in the same blank can hit the fabric mill MOQ collectively, even if each style is under the per-style minimum.
3. Accept a small price premium. Most factories will accept a 5-10% unit price increase in exchange for halving the MOQ. For small first orders, this is almost always worth it.
4. Pay a higher deposit. Offering 40-50% deposit instead of the standard 20-30% reduces the factory risk and unlocks lower MOQ.
5. Start small, grow fast. Plan your first order as a pilot. If the factory performs well, the second order is usually 30-50% larger and qualifies for better terms.
6. Pick a smaller factory. A 50-person workshop is usually more flexible on MOQ than a 500-person mill. The trade-off is capacity and consistency, so ask for factory photos and client references.

Red flags to watch for

• “No MOQ” or MOQ under 30 pieces — usually a trading company. They will subcontract your order to whoever is cheapest that week.
• Quotes that do not change with quantity — real factories offer quantity breaks; a flat price per piece regardless of volume means they are not really manufacturing.
• No factory photos, no audit reports — request a recent factory tour video and a third-party audit (BSCI, SEDEX, OEKO-TEX) before placing a trial order.
• Refusal to provide a pre-production sample — any reputable factory will make a PPS (pre-production sample) for your approval before bulk cutting.

When MOQ does not really matter: full-package OEM

If you are doing full-package OEM (the factory sources fabric, makes the garment, and decorates it), your real constraint is the fabric mill MOQ, not the factory’s per-style MOQ. Most Chinese knit mills will not dye less than 300-500 kg of fabric per color. At 200 g per t-shirt, that is 1,500-2,500 shirts of one color. Some mills offer “color-matching to stock” with a 100 kg minimum at higher cost.

If you only need 300-500 pieces and the mill MOQ is 1,500+, you can either:

• Use a stock fabric color (cheapest, fastest)
• Pay a small-lot surcharge (typically 15-30%) for low-MOQ custom dye
• Buy mill excess or deadstock fabric (limited colors, but no MOQ)

FAQ

Can I order 50 pieces of t-shirts from a Chinese factory?

Sometimes. With stock fabric and a simple screen print, many factories will accept 50-100 pieces at a 10-20% price premium. With custom fabric, 50 is almost never achievable.

What is the difference between MOQ per style and MOQ per color?

Factories usually count both. “MOQ 200” typically means 200 pieces of one style in one color, with 4-6 sizes split across that total. If you want 3 colors, you need 3 x 200 = 600 pieces minimum.

How long does bulk production take after the MOQ is met?

For stock fabric: 20-30 days from PO confirmation. For custom fabric: 35-50 days (extra 15-20 days for fabric production). Add 5-7 days for first-article samples and 3-5 days for shipping to most destinations.

Do I have to pay for samples?

Almost always yes. Sample fees typically run 30-80 USD per style, depending on complexity. Most factories refund the sample cost when you place a bulk order above their MOQ. Always confirm the sample refund policy in writing before paying.

What MOQ we work with at Kemondo

At Kemondo Apparel, our typical starting MOQ is:

• 100 pieces per style when you choose from our stock fabric library
• 200 pieces per style for custom fabric, custom color, or custom labels
• 500 pieces per style for full-package OEM with custom knit development

For a quote, send us: product type, target quantity, reference image or tech pack, and your preferred fabric or weight. We usually reply within 12 hours with a written quote and lead time.

Get a quote: Message us on WhatsApp.