Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) is the number one issue that kills new clothing brands. After working with 200+ startups over 10 years, I have seen the same mistakes repeatedly. Here is what you need to know. What is MOQ? MOQ is the minimum quantity a factory will produce. For yoga wear, typical MOQs are: 100 pieces per style for new brands, 300-500 pieces for established brands, 1000+ pieces for custom designs. Why MOQ Exists: Factories have setup costs. Dyeing fabric requires minimum bath sizes. Cutting patterns needs efficient fabric usage. Sewing lines need to be calibrated. All of this costs money regardless of order size. The Real Cost of Low MOQ: Here is what brands do not realize – low MOQ costs 3x more per unit. A legging at 100 pieces might cost $18. At 500 pieces, the same legging costs $6. Why? Fabric dyeing: Small batches = higher dye cost per yard. Cutting: Marker efficiency is lower on small runs. Sewing: Line setup time is amortized over fewer pieces. Quality control: Same QC process regardless of quantity. The MOQ Trap: Many new brands start with 100 pieces to test the market. This seems smart but creates problems: 1. High cost per unit means low margins. 2. Inconsistent quality (small batches vary more). 3. Customers notice when reorders fit differently. 4. You cannot scale – factory treats you as low priority. Our Recommendation: Start with 300 pieces per style in 3 colors (100 each). This gives you: Better pricing (closer to 500-piece tier), Consistent quality (larger dye lots), Factory respect (you are a serious buyer), Room to test (3 colors = 3 market tests). Budget Example: 300 leggings at $8 each = $2,400. Shipping and duties = $800. Total = $3,200. Wholesale at $20 = $6,000 revenue. Retail at $45 = $13,500 revenue. This works. 100 leggings at $18 each = $1,800. Same shipping = $800. Total = $2,600. Wholesale at $20 = $2,000 revenue (you lose money). Retail at $45 = $4,500 revenue (tiny margin after marketing). How to Negotiate MOQ: 1. Be honest about being a startup. 2. Offer to pay slightly higher price for first order. 3. Commit to larger second order in writing. 4. Choose from factory existing designs (lower MOQ). 5. Accept longer lead time (factory can batch your order with others). The Bottom Line: MOQ is not just about quantity – it is about unit economics. Start with realistic quantities, price accordingly, and plan for growth. The brands that win treat MOQ as a strategic decision, not just a number.