Why there is no single MOQ for yoga wear
A buyer asking "what is your MOQ" usually gets one number. That number hides the real question: which production route will your style use, and what does that route need to run efficiently? A legging knitted on a seamless circular machine and a legging cut from a fabric roll and sewn on a flatlock machine are different jobs with different setup costs. The MOQ follows the setup.
We quote MOQ per style and per color, because that is how factories plan. A style is one pattern or one knitting program. A color is one dye lot. Sizes can usually be mixed inside the color quantity, which matters for brands that need a full size run without overbuying the middle sizes.
Reference ranges by route
| Item | Cut and sew (Humen cluster) | Seamless knit (Yiwu cluster) |
|---|---|---|
| MOQ per style per color | Typically 100-300 pcs | Typically 300-500 pcs |
| Size mixing | Usually allowed within the color quantity | Usually allowed within the color quantity |
| First sample | Typically 7-15 days | Typically 7-15 days once the knitting program is written |
| Bulk production | Typically 30-45 days after sample approval | Typically 30-45 days after sample approval |
| What drives setup | Marker making, cutting, sewing line balance | Knitting program per style, machine changeover, yarn dyeing |
These are typical reference ranges from stated terms of private label makers in the two clusters. They are not a quotation. For each program the MOQ, sampling time and bulk lead time are confirmed in writing before any deposit is paid.
What pushes the MOQ up or down
Fabric availability
If the partner mill holds your fabric in greige (undyed) form, the factory only needs to dye the quantity you order, and lower MOQs are realistic. A custom fabric, a custom color with a minimum dye lot, or a special finish such as brushing on a specific base often sets a fabric minimum that is higher than the garment minimum. In that case the fabric, not the sewing, decides your MOQ. Read more in the fabric library.
Construction
Simple styles with few panels run at the lower end of the range. Styles with gussets, pockets, bonded edges, removable cups or color blocking add operations and are planned with more care. Seamless styles sit higher because each new style needs its own knitting program and machine time before the first good piece comes off.
Trims and branding
Custom elastic, printed waistband tape, molded cups in a new shape and woven labels all have their own supplier minimums. A heat transfer logo is usually flexible; a custom jacquard elastic is not. See private label options for the trims that most often set a floor.
How lead time is built
- Brief and route decision - one to a few days once the reference and fabric family are clear.
- Fabric sheet and first sample - typically 7-15 days after fabric and spec are agreed.
- Fit comments and second sample if needed - depends on how many changes are made.
- Written confirmation - MOQ, unit price, colors, labels, packaging and ship date confirmed in writing.
- Fabric dyeing and bulk production - typically 30-45 days after sample approval, including inspection.
- Packing and shipping - transit time depends on the shipping method and destination.
The step buyers underestimate most is the second sample. Every round of fit changes adds sampling time. A complete tech pack with measurements and tolerances is the single most effective way to shorten the calendar.
Small first orders and reorders
Many brands start with two or three styles in two colors to test the market. On the cut and sew route that is often possible at the lower end of the range, especially when the fabric is an existing mill quality. On the seamless route, buyers usually start with fewer styles and more pieces per style.
Reorders are easier than first orders. The pattern or knitting program already exists, the fabric is known, and the approved sample is the reference. Reorder MOQs and lead times are also confirmed in writing, and they are often shorter when the fabric can be dyed from stock. Our note on reorder planning covers how to split a reorder by color and size.
Mixed collections across both routes
A first collection often mixes routes: seamless ribbed sets from the Yiwu cluster and cut and sew leggings with pockets from the Humen cluster. That is workable, but each route keeps its own MOQ and calendar. Plan the launch date around the slower item, and expect two sets of samples, two inspections and two carton streams that are consolidated before shipping. The desk confirms in writing which factory makes which style, so the written order reflects both routes rather than a blended figure that neither factory recognizes.
What to send for a fast, accurate answer
- Reference photos or links for each style, and whether you want seamless or cut and sew if you already know.
- The fabric family or the performance you need: opacity, compression, softness, cotton feel.
- The number of styles and colors, and a quantity range per style.
- Branding: logo method, labels, hang tags, packaging.
- The date the goods need to be in your warehouse and the delivery terms you prefer.
With that, the desk can reply with the route, the reference MOQ for your fabric and construction, and a sampling plan. Send a brief when you are ready.