When working with a garment manufacturer, three terms always come up:
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity), Lead Time, and Cost.
What many brands don’t realize is: these three are interconnected — if you change one, it affects the others.
Let’s break it down so you can make smarter decisions for your clothing brand.
🔢 What is MOQ?
MOQ is the minimum number of pieces a factory will accept per style, per color, or per order.
Why does it exist?
Because factories need to:
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Order fabric & trims in bulk from mills
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Optimize cutting, sewing & finishing lines
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Reduce setup cost per unit
At HEM APPAREL, MOQ typically starts from 100–300 pcs, depending on your design and fabric choice. We will provide specific recommendations after reviewing your tech pack.
⏱ What is Lead Time?
Lead Time is the total time from order confirmation to finished product delivery.
Typical lead time:
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Stock fabrics: 3–4 weeks
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Custom dyed or knit fabrics: 6–8 weeks
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High complexity styles: 8–10+ weeks
Shorter lead time = higher pressure on capacity + sourcing → which may increase cost.
💰 How MOQ, Lead Time & Cost Are Connected
Imagine this triangle:
Lower MOQ
▲
│
Higher Cost ◄── Longer Lead Time-
Want low MOQ? → Accept higher price per unit
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Want fast lead time? → Be flexible with fabric, color & trims
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Want low cost? → Go for higher MOQ, longer lead time, or simpler construction
🧠 HEM APPAREL’s Advice:
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Startup brand? → Use in-stock fabrics, accept moderate MOQ, and plan ahead.
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Growing brand? → Commit to bulk orders, book fabric early, and negotiate better pricing.
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Always balance speed, price, and flexibility — rarely can you get all three at once.
Explore blank wholesale: https://hem-apparel.com/pages/blank
OEM & Private Label: https://hem-apparel.com/pages/how-we-work
Need help? Chat: http://wa.me/84986682211
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