MOQ guide for knitwear manufacturers

Typical MOQ ranges for knitwear

• Jersey and basic knits — Cotton jersey, cotton blend, and simple rib knits often start at 100–300 pieces per style in Europe. Good option for tees, basics, and lightweight layers.
• Sweater knits and heavier gauge — Sweaters and heavier knits (e.g. merino, cashmere blend) usually have higher minimums: 150–400 pieces. Yarn and machine time drive the floor.
• Organic and sustainable yarns — GOTS or organic yarns can push minimums up (200–500+) because of dyestuff and yarn minimums. Not all factories offer low-MOQ organic.
• Custom knit development — Full-fashioned or custom knit designs may have development minimums (e.g. 200–500 pieces) for the first run; repeat orders can sometimes be lower.

What affects MOQ for knitwear

• Yarn availability and minimums — Mills and yarn agents have minimum order quantities. If the factory has to buy yarn specifically for you, that can set the MOQ.
• Gauge and machine type — Finer gauge (e.g. 28–32 gg) and more complex machines can mean higher minimums. Coarser gauge and simpler constructions often allow lower runs.
• Number of colours — Each colour can add to the effective minimum (yarn dye, knit time). Fewer colours usually mean lower total minimum.
• Cut-and-sew vs. fully fashioned — Cut-and-sew from knitted fabric can have lower MOQs than fully fashioned (whole-garment) knits, which are more machine- and time-intensive.

Pro tips

1. Confirm whether MOQ is per style, per colour, or total across colours. It varies by factory.
2. Ask about sampling minimums: some factories do development runs at 50–100 pieces before bulk.
3. Recycled and organic yarns often need to be ordered well in advance; plan lead times and MOQs together.
4. If you’re under the factory’s usual MOQ, ask if they’ll combine your order with another or do a “development” run at a higher unit cost.
5. Lock yarn and colour early; changing later can affect minimums and lead times.

Frequently asked questions