Low MOQ Sportswear: How a 10-Piece Minimum Helps New Brands

Every new sportswear brand faces the same problem. You have ideas for several designs, a limited budget and no proof yet of what your customers will buy. A factory that asks for hundreds of pieces per design forces you to bet most of your money on one or two guesses.

A low minimum order quantity (MOQ) changes that. This guide explains what MOQ means, why a 10-piece minimum per design helps new brands and small shops, and how to plan a small first collection.

What MOQ means

MOQ stands for minimum order quantity: the smallest number of pieces a factory will make. The detail that matters most is what the minimum applies to. A minimum per design means every design in your order needs that many pieces. A minimum per order is the total across all designs.

At FJ Sportswear the minimum is 10 pieces per design.

Why factories set minimums

Every new design takes setup work before production starts: preparing the artwork, setting up printing, and cutting and sewing a new run. A minimum makes sure each design is worth that setup. Factories set up for large runs tend to ask for larger minimums; a factory that does design, printing, cutting and embroidery in-house can make shorter runs of each design.

How a low MOQ helps a new brand

• Less money in stock. You buy only what you need for your first customers, not a warehouse of one design.
• More designs to test. The same budget spreads across several designs, so you learn faster what sells.
• Fewer leftovers. If a design does not sell, you are not stuck with a large pile of it.
• Order per customer. Dealers and shops can order for each club or customer as they win them.
• Reorder what works. When a design sells, order it again. We can make the same design again whenever you reorder.

How to plan a small first collection

1. Pick 2–4 designs you believe in most, rather than ten you are unsure about.
2. Choose one fabric per product to keep it simple.
3. Ask for a free mockup of each design and share it with a few customers before you order.
4. Order a paid sample of your main product to check the fabric and fit. It takes about 3 weeks.
5. Order from 10 pieces per design. Bulk takes 3–4 weeks after approval.
6. Track which designs sell, then reorder those and add new ones.

A first collection for a small brand might look like this:

Questions to ask any manufacturer about MOQ

• Is the minimum per design or per order?
• Can I order jerseys, shorts or pants on their own?
• Do you make samples, and what does a sample cost?
• Can I add my own labels and packaging to a small order?
• How long does bulk production take after I approve the sample?

At FJ Sportswear: the minimum is 10 pieces per design, and those 10 pieces can be in mixed sizes or colours; reorders of an approved design can be below 10 pieces; you can order jerseys, shorts or pants on their own; samples are paid and the cost comes with your quote; and bulk takes 3–4 weeks after approval.

Look like a real brand from the first order

A small order does not have to look small. Woven labels, printed labels, hang tags and custom poly bags with your branding make even a 10-piece run look like a finished product. See private label.

Mistakes to avoid

• Ordering too many designs at once and spreading your launch too thin
• Skipping the sample on your first order with a new factory
• Choosing a different fabric for every product
• Forgetting to plan for reorders of your best sellers

Ready to start small? See how our low MOQ works, or request a sample first. We reply within 12 hours, Monday to Saturday.

Frequently asked questions