What MOQ means, why manufacturers set it, and practical ways small clubs and new brands can work with it.
MOQ, or minimum order quantity, is the smallest number of pieces a manufacturer will produce for one design. It is one of the first questions buyers ask, and one of the most misunderstood.
Why MOQs exist
Every custom order has fixed set-up work: preparing artwork, printing transfer paper, setting up cutting patterns and calibrating colours. That cost is the same whether you order 10 pieces or 500, so it is spread across the quantity. Larger runs therefore cost less per piece.
What usually counts towards the MOQ
- Pieces of the same design, even across different sizes
- Different player names and numbers on the same design
Different designs or colourways normally count separately, so check how your supplier calculates it.
How MOQ affects price
Price per piece falls as quantity rises, then levels off. If your squad is close to the next price break, it can be cheaper overall to add a few spares for future players.
Options for small teams and start-up brands
- Combine items: order jerseys, shorts and bibs in one run
- Share a design: youth and senior teams in the same kit
- Start with core sizes: then reorder the same design later
- Use the custom builder: our custom order builder shows pricing as you build
MOQ for private label
If you are launching your own brand, labels, swing tags and packaging may have their own minimums. Our private label guide covers this. For compression wear specifically, see our compression wear MOQ and pricing guide.
Ask before you design
Tell your supplier your quantity up front. A good manufacturer will suggest ways to reach a better price break rather than simply quoting the minimum.
Tell us your quantity and we will suggest the best option.
