Sportswear Minimum Order Quantity: What 50 Pieces Means
A sportswear minimum order quantity (MOQ) is the smallest number of garments a factory will produce in one run of a design. At Oversky International most designs start at 50 pieces per style and colour, and sizes can be mixed within that count.
By the Oversky International team
A sportswear minimum order quantity (MOQ) is the smallest number of garments a factory will produce in one run of a design. At Oversky International most designs start at 50 pieces per style and colour, and sizes can be mixed within that count. Smaller trial runs can be quoted for repeat customers or simple constructions.
What does MOQ mean in sportswear manufacturing?
MOQ is the lowest quantity a supplier will accept for a single production run. Shopify's retail guide defines it as the smallest amount of stock a supplier is willing to sell, set so each order covers the supplier's fixed costs.
In sportswear, the minimum normally applies to one style in one colourway. A style is a specific garment pattern and construction, such as a crew-neck raglan football shirt. A colourway is one combination of fabric colours and artwork. Change either and you have a new style for MOQ purposes.
How is the 50-piece minimum counted?
The 50-piece starting point counts pieces of the same style and colour, across all sizes. You do not need 50 of each size.
Here is how common orders count:
| Order | How it counts |
|---|---|
| 50 home shirts in sizes S to XXL | One style, one colour: meets the minimum |
| 30 home shirts and 30 away shirts, same cut | Two colourways of 30: each below the starting point |
| 50 shirts and 50 matching shorts | Two styles of 50: both meet the minimum |
| 50 shirts, 20 with names and numbers | One style; personalisation does not split the count |
| 50 rashguards in one design, adult and youth sizes | One style if the construction is the same |
If an order falls short on one item, the usual fixes are to add spares, merge two colourways into one, or move a small item to a later repeat order.
Why do sportswear factories set minimums?
Factories set minimums because much of the cost of a run is fixed. Pattern grading, marker making, cutting set-up, print preparation and line changeovers take about the same time for 5 pieces as for 50.
Decoration adds to this. In screen printing, for example, every colour needs its own screen, so a three-colour logo needs three screens whether you print ten shirts or a hundred. Fabric also arrives in rolls, and trims such as woven labels and zips are made in batches. Spreading those costs across a sensible quantity keeps the unit price reasonable and the quality consistent.
Can you order fewer than 50 pieces?
Yes, in some cases. Smaller trial runs can be quoted for repeat customers or for simple constructions, such as a single-colour garment with one decoration.
A trial run makes sense when you are:
- Testing a new design with a small group before a full launch.
- Topping up a kit for new players after the main order.
- Making a short run of a garment with very simple construction.
Expect a higher unit price on a small run, because the fixed costs are shared across fewer pieces. If you are a new customer, a development sample is usually the first step, and the bulk order follows once the sample is approved.
How do you plan quantities for a first order?
Plan from the number of people who will wear the garment, then add a margin. A simple method:
- Count wearers per garment: squad, coaches, staff or retail stock.
- Add spares of around 5-10% for new members, damage and size swaps.
- Break down by size using last season's roster or a fitting session.
- Group by style and colour and check each group against the 50-piece starting point.
- Adjust: merge colourways, add spares or move small items to a repeat order.
For clubs and academies, the size breakdown is where most mistakes happen. Collect sizes from players before you brief, not after the sample arrives.
What happens after you place an order?
Once quantities are settled, the order follows the same steps as any other at Oversky. We confirm the specification in 2-3 days, the sample usually leaves the factory in 7-10 working days once artwork, measurements and materials are confirmed, and bulk production typically takes 4-6 weeks after sample approval and the 30% deposit. The balance is paid before dispatch.
Every order is confirmed against the approved sample, and the final inspection includes a measurement audit, packing, carton marks and a quantity count, so the number of pieces that ships matches your order. You can see how the work moves through each stage on our factory tour.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 50-piece minimum apply per size?
No. The minimum counts pieces of the same style and colour across all sizes, so 50 shirts can be split between small, medium, large and extra-large in whatever mix your squad needs. Junior and adult sizes can usually sit in the same count when the construction is the same.
Do names and numbers count as a separate style?
Usually not. Personalising shirts with player names and numbers does not split the count, as long as the garment, colourway and main artwork are the same. Send a roster with each name, number and size so the order is produced and packed correctly.
Is the MOQ the same for teamwear and martial arts apparel?
Most designs across our teamwear and martial arts ranges start at 50 pieces per style and colour. Some garments are more involved to set up than others, so tell us what you need and we will confirm the minimum for each item when we quote.
Can I combine different products to reach 50 pieces?
Different styles are counted separately, because each needs its own pattern, cutting and set-up. You can, however, mix sizes freely within a style and add spares to reach the starting point. If one item falls short, ask about a smaller trial run.
What to do next
List your garments, colours and size breakdown, then send them through the quote form on our homepage. We reply within one business day and will confirm the minimum and pricing for each style in your order.