Minimum Order Quantities (MOQ) for Corporate Merch in Armenia
Why you can't order 5 t-shirts with your logo, how minimum quantities work, and what options exist for smaller runs and test orders.
What Is MOQ and Why Does It Exist
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) — the minimum number of units to start production. This isn't an arbitrary restriction; it's basic economics: every print run requires equipment setup, ink or screen preparation. The cost of this setup gets distributed across the run.
For 5 t-shirts, setup costs more than the shirts themselves. For 50 — it's reasonable. For 200+ — minimal per unit. MOQ exists to offer a real market price, not a nominal one.
MOQ by Product Category
Minimum quantities for popular items
T-shirts, Polos, Shirts
MOQ: 20 pieces (per size). You can order 5 sizes of 4 each — total 20. Or 10XS + 10M. The total must be at least 20.
Hoodies, Sweatshirts, Jackets
MOQ: 15–20 pieces. Depends on model and stock availability. Custom blanks — from 30 pieces.
Caps, Baseball Caps, Beanies
MOQ: 20 pieces. One color — from 20. If you need multicolor or embroidery — from 30.
Mugs, Tumblers
MOQ: 30 pieces. Decal firing requires higher minimum. Exception — DTF printing on ceramic (from 20).
Eco Bags, Totes
MOQ: 50 pieces. Fabric printing requires screens, so total run is higher. For small batches, use DTF printing.
Pens, Pencils
MOQ: 50–100 pieces. Pad printing requires individual setup per color. Simpler designs = lower MOQ.
Notebooks, Planners
MOQ: 30 pieces. If you need personalization (employee names) — from 20, but at higher cost.
Power Banks, USB Drives
MOQ: 20 pieces. Usually per unit — engraving or pad printing without high quantity requirements.
Bottles, Thermoses
MOQ: 20 pieces. Engraving or pad printing. For decals — from 30.
Badges, Lanyards
MOQ: 50–100 pieces. Depends on complexity. Standard — from 50, with engraving — from 30.
Backpacks, Bags
MOQ: 20 pieces. Embroidery on bags — from 15. Printing — from 20.
Stickers, Promo Materials
MOQ: from 1 piece (digital printing). But for vinyl stickers, we recommend from 20 — otherwise per-unit cost is too high.
How to Order Less Than MOQ: Workarounds
If you need 5 or 10 pieces — here are several strategies:
DTF Printing
DTF doesn't require screens — so MOQ can be from 1 piece. Perfect for small runs with full-color designs. Downside: fabric quality slightly lower than screen printing.
Stock Blanks
If we have finished items with your logo in stock — take as many as you need. But this requires a prior order and storage. More about onboarding merch →
Combined Order
Combine multiple items in one order: e.g., 20 t-shirts + 10 mugs + 10 eco bags. MOQ applies per item, but total cost may be more advantageous.
Promo Products
For very small runs (1–10), promo products work well: pens, keychains, magnets. MOQ is lower than apparel.
Frequently Asked Questions About MOQ
Can I order 1 t-shirt with my logo?
Yes, but at a price close to cost: 3,000–5,000 AMD instead of the usual 1,500–2,500 AMD at scale. If you need a sample — we recommend DTF printing: MOQ from 1 piece, comparable result.
Is MOQ per item or per total order?
Per item. If you order 10 t-shirts and 30 mugs — the t-shirt MOQ isn't met (minimum 20), but mugs are fine. But you could take 10 t-shirts + 20 mugs = 30, and get the 10 t-shirts at a special price.
Can I order different sizes within MOQ?
Yes. MOQ is per item, not per size. 4XS + 4S + 4M + 4L + 4XL = 20 t-shirts — that's a completely valid order. The total must be at least 20 pieces of one model.
What if we have 5 employees and need 1 item each?
Are there discounts for exceeding MOQ?
Yes. At 100+ units, per-unit price drops 10–15%. At 200+ — 20–25%. At 500+ — individual calculation. More details on our pricing page.
Can I order MOQ with different colors?
Depends on technology. Screen printing: each color = separate screen, so usually 1–2 colors in standard MOQ. DTF and UV printing — full color without restrictions. Embroidery — up to 8 colors without MOQ increase.
Useful Links
Pricing • Production Timelines • Printing Technologies • Merch Types Catalog
Unsure About Minimum Quantities?
Submit a request — we'll help you find the optimal quantity and technology