Custom Bag MOQ Explained: Why 500 Pieces?

MOQ (minimum order quantity) is the number one question buyers ask before ordering custom bags. This guide explains what MOQ actually covers, why factories set it, and how to work with it — even if you only need a small first order.

What MOQ really means

MOQ is the smallest quantity a factory will produce in one run for one specification. It is not an arbitrary rule: a production run has fixed costs that do not change whether you order 200 or 2,000 pieces — cutting dies, screen printing frames, machine set-up, fabric dyeing minimums, and quality-control time.

Our MOQ is 500 pcs per style, per colour, per size. That is low for bag manufacturing and deliberately so: it lets brands, promotional distributors and e-commerce sellers test a design in the market before committing to a container.

Why 500 pcs is a sensible starting point

• Fabric minimums — fabric mills sell in rolls; below a certain volume the fabric cost per bag rises sharply.
• Printing set-up — each silk-screen colour needs a frame and a set-up; spreading that over 500 pcs keeps it affordable.
• Machine efficiency — bag lines run best in batches; very small runs waste machine time.
• Meaningful market test — 500 pcs is enough to judge sell-through, print durability and customer feedback.

How MOQ applies across our product lines

Product line	MOQ	Typical first-order size
Non-woven tote bags (80–120 gsm)	500 pcs	500 – 1,000 pcs
Laminated non-woven bags	500 pcs	500 – 1,000 pcs
Cotton / canvas tote bags (8–16 oz)	500 pcs	500 – 1,000 pcs
Cloth gift & storage bags	500 pcs	500 – 1,000 pcs
Shoe / garment / bag liners	500 pcs	1,000 – 5,000 pcs

Can you mix sizes or colours inside one MOQ?

Usually yes, with limits. Mixing colours of the same bag in the same size is normally fine because the only change is fabric colour. Mixing sizes means a new cutting pattern and a new machine set-up, so we treat each size as its own MOQ. Mixing print designs means new screens, so each design is its own MOQ.

A practical approach: choose one size, one material, up to two print colours, then split the 500 pcs across two or three colourways.

Tiered pricing: why bigger orders cost less per bag

Unit price falls as quantity rises because fixed costs are spread wider and material is bought in bulk. Our published tiers:

• 500 – 999 pcs — entry tier, MOQ
• 1,000 – 2,999 pcs — the most common reorder tier
• 3,000 – 4,999 pcs — retail and promo programmes
• 5,000 – 9,999 pcs — chain and distributor volumes
• 10,000+ pcs — best factory price

See live unit prices on each product card, or read the wholesale terms.

When can MOQ be lower than 500?

There are three situations where we can go below the standard minimum:

• Stock items — blank, unprinted bags we already hold in stock can be shipped in smaller quantities.
• Semi-finished cut pieces — our non-woven liners and cut pieces can be packed in larger but simpler batches.
• Samples and market tests — paid samples are made in single units so you can approve quality before committing.

How to run a small trial order sensibly

Most of our buyers start with 500 pcs, then reorder at 1,000–3,000 pcs once the design proves itself. The sequence that works:

1. Order a sample (3–7 working days) and approve the fabric, print and stitching.
2. Place a 500-pc trial in the best-selling colourway.
3. Sell through, collect feedback, fix any spec issues.
4. Reorder at the next tier for a better unit price — often within 6–10 weeks.

Frequently asked questions

Do you charge extra for a small order? No — the 500-pcs tier is simply a higher unit price than the 1,000-pcs tier.

Can I combine two product lines to reach MOQ? MOQ applies per product line, not across lines.

Is the sample fee refundable? Yes — the sample fee is credited against your first bulk order of 500+ pcs.

Next step

Send your target size, material, print and quantity — we will reply with a quote and a digital mock-up within 24 hours. Request your quote.

EcoBag Factory — custom bag manufacturer in Guangzhou, China. MOQ 500 pcs, 1–2 colour print included, samples in 3–7 working days, FOB / CIF / DDP worldwide.