Quick answer: MOQ (minimum order quantity) is the smallest number of pieces a factory makes per design; low-MOQ factories accept around 30 pieces per design with mixed sizes.
MOQ (minimum order quantity) is the first number most new sportswear brands ask about, and the one that causes the most confusion. Two factories can both say “MOQ 100” and mean completely different things. This guide explains what sportswear MOQ really covers, why factories set it, what is normal in 2026 and how to plan a first order that does not tie up your cash.
Quick answer
Sportswear MOQ is the smallest quantity a factory will produce for one order. It is usually counted per design (sometimes per colour), and sizes can normally be mixed within it. Typical minimums run from about 30 to 50 pieces per design at flexible cut-and-sew factories, and 300 to 1,000+ at large mills. Ravix Pro Industry starts at 30 pieces per design with mixed sizes.
Building a clothing or sportswear brand? Ravix Pro Industry is a sportswear and apparel manufacturer in Sialkot, Pakistan, offering OEM and private label manufacturing for clothing brands: product development, samples, custom labels and packaging, and consistent bulk production, certified WRAP, BSCI, OEKO-TEX and ISO 9001. MOQ 30 pieces per design. Private label · OEM manufacturing · Get a free quote.
Part of our guide: MOQ and Pricing for Clothing Manufacturing · Quick answers
What does MOQ mean in sportswear manufacturing?
MOQ is the smallest run a factory can accept and still cover its fixed costs. Every order needs work that costs the same whether you make 30 pieces or 3,000: pattern making and grading, marker planning, colour matching, screen or sublimation setup, machine changeovers and quality paperwork. Below a certain quantity, these costs make the job unprofitable or the unit price unrealistic.
Per design, per colour or per size?
Always ask exactly how the MOQ is counted. This is the most common misunderstanding we see with first-time buyers.
| MOQ basis | What it means | Example with “MOQ 100” |
|---|---|---|
| Per order | Total pieces across all styles | 100 pieces total, any mix of styles |
| Per design / style | Each style must reach the minimum | 3 styles = 300 pieces |
| Per colourway | Each colour of each style must reach it | 1 style in 3 colours = 300 pieces |
| Per size | Rare; each size must reach it | 5 sizes = 500 pieces |
At Ravix Pro the minimum is 30 pieces per design, with sizes mixed. For sublimated garments, a different number or name on each piece still counts as one design.
Typical sportswear MOQs by product and method
MOQs vary by fabric source and decoration method. The figures below are typical ranges for flexible export factories in Pakistan; large mills and fabric-dyed programmes are much higher.
| Product / method | Typical MOQ per design | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sublimated jerseys, shorts, singlets | 10–50 | Digital printing, no screens; fabric is white polyester from stock |
| Screen printed tees and hoodies | 30–100 | Screens and ink mixing per colour |
| Embroidered polos, jackets | 30–100 | Digitising one logo file; runs quickly after setup |
| Cut and sew in stock fabric colours | 30–100 | Pattern, grading and marker per style |
| Custom dyed fabric (Pantone match) | 300–1,000+ metres or pieces | Mills dye fabric in minimum lots |
| Custom knitted trims, jacquard, own fabric | 500+ | Yarn and knitting set-up at the mill |
Why low MOQ costs more per piece
A low MOQ is not free. The fixed costs above are spread across fewer garments, so a 30-piece run normally costs more per unit than a 300-piece run of the same garment. For a rough idea of how much, see our guide to how much it costs to manufacture clothing. The trade-off is still worth it for most new brands: you test the market with less stock, less cash and less risk of dead inventory.
How to plan a first order around MOQ
- Start with 2 to 4 hero styles, not a full collection. Each additional style multiplies your MOQ.
- Use stock fabric colours (black, white, navy, grey) for your first run to avoid mill dyeing minimums.
- Mix sizes inside the MOQ. A typical 30-piece split for adult activewear is XS 2, S 6, M 9, L 8, XL 4, XXL 1; adjust to your audience.
- Choose sublimation where the design allows. It has the lowest minimum and unlimited colours.
- Approve a physical sample first. See sample vs bulk production.
- Reorder fast. Ask whether reorders of an approved style have the same MOQ; at Ravix Pro they do.
MOQ questions to ask every factory
- Is the MOQ per order, per design, per colour or per size?
- Can sizes be mixed? Can names and numbers vary?
- Is there a surcharge below a certain quantity?
- What is the MOQ for custom labels, hangtags and polybags?
- Does the MOQ change if I want a Pantone-matched fabric colour?
For a wider list, read questions to ask a sportswear manufacturer and our guide to starting a clothing brand with low MOQ.
Comparing factories by minimums? Read low MOQ clothing manufacturer: how small-batch production works.
From our factory floor in Sialkot
At Ravix Pro Industry we have manufactured sportswear since 2008. Every order follows the same 11 steps: quote, design, approval, sample, cutting, decoration, stitching, thread trimming, quality check, packing and door-to-door shipping. Sublimation, screen printing, embroidery and stitching happen in-house, so we control colour, print quality and timing ourselves. The most common problem we see with first-time buyers is skipping the sample; a physical sample costs a little extra but prevents expensive surprises in bulk. See our manufacturing process and quality checks.
Ready to start? Request a free quote or message us on WhatsApp with your design, quantity and sizes. MOQ from 30 pieces per design. We reply within 24 hours.
Read next: How Much Does a Custom Jersey Cost? Price Factors Explained · Clothing Factory vs Trading Company vs Marketplace: How to Tell the Difference
FAQs
What is a normal MOQ for custom sportswear?
For flexible cut-and-sew and sublimation factories, 30 to 100 pieces per design is normal. Large mills and factories that dye or knit their own fabric often ask 500 to 1,000 pieces or more.
Can I mix sizes within the MOQ?
At most export factories, yes. At Ravix Pro you can mix any sizes inside the 30-piece minimum for each design.
Does a different colour count as a new design?
Usually yes for cut and sew in different fabric colours. For sublimation, colours are printed, so different colourways can sometimes be combined; ask your factory.
Is there a MOQ for samples?
No. Samples are made one piece or one size set at a time before bulk production. You pay a sample fee, which some factories credit against the bulk order.
Why do some factories quote MOQ in metres?
When fabric is dyed or knitted specially for your order, the mill sets a minimum fabric lot, often 300 to 1,000 metres per colour, which then becomes the garment MOQ.
Sources
- Ravix Pro Industry production data, 2008–2026 (MOQ policy: 30 pieces per design, sizes mixed).
- Mill dyeing minimums vary by mill and fabric; figures above are typical ranges quoted to Ravix Pro by Pakistani fabric suppliers.
