Minimum Order Quantities for Clothing Production in Portugal: What Fashion Brands Need to Know
If you're a fashion brand planning your first or next production run, minimum order quantities — MOQs — are probably one of your first questions. How many units do you actually need to order? What happens if you need less? And does producing in Portugal change the equation?
Here's everything you need to know.
What is a Minimum Order Quantity?
A minimum order quantity is the smallest number of units a production setup will accept per style. It exists because producing a garment has fixed costs — setting up machinery, cutting fabric, threading and calibrating sewing lines — that only make financial sense above a certain volume.
Below that threshold, the cost per unit becomes too high for the factory to operate profitably. MOQs are not arbitrary — they reflect the real economics of garment production.
What Are Typical MOQs for Clothing Production in Portugal?
At The Apparel Co, our minimum is 100 units per style.
This applies per style, not per order. So if your collection has four styles, you would be producing a minimum of 100 units of each — 400 units in total across your collection.
This is one of the most accessible MOQ thresholds in European production. Many factories in Portugal and elsewhere in Europe require 300, 500, or even 1,000 units per style before they'll take on a project. The 100 unit minimum makes quality European production viable for independent and emerging brands that aren't yet operating at high volume.
MOQs by Garment Type
Different garment types have different production complexities, which can affect minimums. As a general guide:
Basic t-shirts and jersey pieces — straightforward construction, lower setup costs, 100 units per style is very achievable.
Knitwear and sweaters — more complex production setup, but still manageable at 100 units per style with the right facility.
Outerwear and structured garments — more components, more construction steps, which can push costs up per unit at lower volumes.
Technical or performance wear — specialist machinery and materials required, which may affect both pricing and minimum quantities depending on the specification.
When you send us your tech pack, we'll confirm the exact minimum that applies to your specific styles.
Why MOQs Matter for Your Business
Getting your MOQ right is one of the most important financial decisions you make as a fashion brand. Here's why:
Too high and you're sitting on unsold inventory. Ordering 500 units of a style you've never tested in the market is a significant financial risk. Starting at 100 units lets you validate demand before committing to larger volumes.
Too low and your cost per unit becomes unworkable. Producing 20 units of a style might seem low risk, but the cost per piece will be so high that your retail margin disappears entirely.
100 units per style sits in the sweet spot for most emerging and independent brands — enough volume to get a competitive price per piece, low enough to manage inventory risk on a new collection.
What About Samples?
Before bulk production begins, we produce a prototype of each style for your approval. Sample pricing is calculated individually based on your specific garment and materials — we confirm the cost when we come back to you with your quote. You approve the sample before anything moves to bulk production.
Scaling Up — What Happens After Your First Order?
Once your first production run is complete and you're ready to reorder or expand your collection, scaling up is straightforward. We keep all your production records, tech packs, and specifications on file — so repeat orders and new styles can move faster with less back and forth.
Many brands start at 100 units per style to test the market, then move to 300 or 500 units per style on their second order once they have sales data to back the decision.
Ready to Start?
Send us your tech pack and tell us about your collection. We'll come back to you within 24 hours with a clear price per piece and confirmation of what applies to your specific styles.
