Guide · MOQ
How clothing MOQ is actually calculated
Minimum order quantity is not an arbitrary number. It comes from the smallest practical fabric, trim and production setup needed to make the garment consistently.
MOQ starts from 50 pieces per colour for suitable styles. Final MOQ depends on the product, fabric, construction, number of colours, finishing and sourcing requirements.
Start with style, colour and fabric — not one headline number
A factory may be able to cut and sew 50 pieces, but the selected fabric, zip supplier or printing method may have a larger setup minimum. That is why a credible manufacturer reviews the complete product before confirming MOQ.
For suitable styles, Kemora starts from 50 pieces per colour. Sizes can normally be mixed within that colour quantity, while each additional colour creates its own fabric and production planning requirement.
The six main MOQ drivers
Fabric availability
Locally available stock fabric can support a lower opening quantity than a custom-knit, custom-woven or specially dyed fabric.
Colour count
Each colour needs separate fabric planning, cutting control and production setup. More colours normally increase total order quantity.
Garment complexity
A basic jersey tee needs fewer specialist operations than padded outerwear, tailoring or high-support activewear.
Trims and hardware
Custom zips, elastics, snaps, moulded hardware, drawcords and branded tapes may have their own supplier minimums.
Decoration
Embroidery digitising, screen setup, transfer sheets and print colour count affect the economical batch size.
Packaging and labels
Woven labels, hang tags, printed bags and custom boxes can have separate minimums even when garment production is lower.
How to keep a first MOQ manageable
- Start with fewer styles and make each one commercially meaningful
- Use one or two opening colours instead of splitting demand across many colourways
- Choose a proven fabric construction before developing a custom textile
- Use standard-quality trims where they do not weaken the design
- Combine the final size split only after identifying the target customer
- Approve artwork placement and colours before print setup begins
- Plan labels and packaging at the same time as the garment
- Confirm sample pricing before committing to the bulk order
Lower MOQ usually means a higher unit cost because development and setup are spread across fewer garments. The useful comparison is total launch risk, not unit price alone.
Continue planning your first order
Questions about clothing MOQ
Does MOQ apply per style or per colour?
Both can matter, but colour is often the practical driver because fabric, dyeing and production setup are planned separately by colour. Kemora’s starting point is 50 pieces per colour for suitable styles.
Can sizes be mixed within the minimum?
Usually yes. The per-colour quantity can be split across an agreed size range, provided no special size requires different fabric width, trims or construction.
Why can a custom fabric raise MOQ?
The fabric mill may require a minimum knitting, weaving or dyeing quantity that is larger than the fabric needed for 50 garments. That supplier minimum becomes part of the garment minimum.