Minimum order quantity
The minimum order quantities by technique at Corp-Merch Mexico, why they exist, when we can run smaller batches, and how to handle drop-ships, samples, and mixed-SKU orders without paying a surprise premium.
Why a single MOQ number does not work
Minimum order quantity (MOQ) is one of the first questions a corporate buyer asks, and one of the hardest to answer with a single number. The MOQ at Corp-Merch depends on the product (apparel, rigid item, stationery, or candy), the technique (screen printing, embroidery, engraving, sublimation, DTF, UV), the substrate, the number of colors, and the lead time. A 25-piece run on a single-color polo is feasible; a 25-piece run on a six-color DTF pattern on performance fabric is not. We publish the most common MOQs below and walk through the exceptions where smaller runs are possible.
For apparel, the MOQ starts at 25 units per style, per color, per size. Screen printing requires the screens to be produced, exposed, and registered; that setup cost is amortized over the run, and below 25 units the per-unit price is higher than the customer is usually willing to pay. Embroidery has a similar disk setup cost, and below 25 units we recommend a digitize-once-and-print-later approach through a partner that runs a digital embroidery head. DTF (direct-to-film) has a lower setup cost and a 10-unit minimum on most substrates.
For rigid items (mugs, pens, notebooks, USBs, power banks), the MOQ depends on the item rather than the technique. A promotional pen from our catalog has a factory MOQ of 500 units. A customized thermos has a factory MOQ of 100 units. An engraved leather notebook has a MOQ of 50 units. A UV-printed phone case has a 25-unit MOQ because the printer can run a small batch without retooling. We surface those numbers up front so the buyer can decide whether to adjust the scope.
For drop-ship orders (direct to the recipient), the per-shipment MOQ is one unit. The constraint is not the print but the logistics — drop-ship requires a recipient list, an address validation pass against Sepomex or the destination postal service, and a Carta Porte per shipment when the goods leave our plant. We charge a per-shipment fee to cover the logistics, built into the quote.
Samples are a separate flow. A pre-production sample (muestra física) is a single unit produced against the customer's artwork to confirm colors, fit, and finishing before the bulk run. The sample price is the per-unit price times three to five, and the lead time is five to ten business days. We do not produce samples for free because the labor is the same regardless of the order size; the sample fee is credited against the bulk run if the customer proceeds within thirty days.
Mixed-SKU orders (a single purchase order that contains a polo, a notebook, a pen, and a thermos) follow the highest MOQ among the included products. A typical mixed kit at 50 units per component is fine, but a mixed kit at 5 units per component is not — we would have to flag the apparel as a sample run and the rigid items as a custom run, and the economics would not work for either side. When the customer wants to test a kit at low volume, we recommend a 25-unit pilot kit and a 200+ unit production run once the pilot is approved.
Frequently asked questions about minimum order quantity
What procurement, marketing, and operations teams most often ask before locking in a quantity.
What is the lowest MOQ at Corp-Merch Mexico?
Twenty-five units per style, per color, per size for screen printing on apparel. For embroidery, also 25. For engraving on rigid items, the MOQ depends on the item — typically 50 units for a notebook, 100 units for a thermos. For drop-ship, the per-shipment MOQ is one unit. For DTF on apparel, the MOQ is 10 units on most substrates.
Why does MOQ exist?
Because the per-unit setup cost (screen exposure, embroidery disk, laser calibration) does not scale linearly with the run size. Below a certain quantity, the setup cost overwhelms the unit cost, and the price becomes prohibitive. We would rather decline a small order than deliver one that is not economic for either side.
Can I order 10 pieces?
Only as a sample run, not as a bulk production order. A 10-piece sample carries a 3x to 5x per-unit premium and a 5 to 10 business day lead time. Once you approve the sample, the bulk run starts at 25 units at the standard price. We credit the sample fee against the bulk run if you confirm the order within thirty days.
What if I want different sizes in the same order?
That is standard. We assemble the size breakdown after the production run. The MOQ applies to the total quantity per style, not per size. A 100-piece polo order can be 25 S, 50 M, 25 L as long as the total is 100. The size breakdown is collected through a Google Form, an HRIS export, or a manual spreadsheet.
Do you accept orders below MOQ for a premium?
Yes, but the premium is significant. For apparel below 25 units, we charge the sample rate (3x to 5x). For rigid items below the factory MOQ, we route through a partner and add a surcharge that depends on the item — usually 30% to 60% above the standard catalog price. We disclose the surcharge in writing before starting.
What is the MOQ for a kit with multiple products?
The MOQ is the highest MOQ among the included products. A kit with a 25-piece polo, a 50-piece notebook, and a 100-piece pen requires at least 100 kits because the pen is the bottleneck. We can sometimes split the kit into separate production orders, but the combined quote is usually cheaper.
How does MOQ change for a recurring order?
Recurring orders (re-orders) do not require a new setup cost because the screens and embroidery disks are archived. The MOQ drops to 10 units per style for re-orders within twelve months. After twelve months we re-validate the artwork and may apply a re-setup fee if the disk needs to be re-cut.
Can I drop-ship a single piece to one recipient?
Yes. Drop-ship accepts a single unit per shipment. The per-shipment logistics fee covers validation, packing, carrier handoff, and Carta Porte. We do not drop-ship free because the logistics cost is fixed regardless of order size.
Related FAQs
If you are sizing a quantity, these may also help.
Need a small run or a single sample?
Send the artwork and the quantity. We reply within 24 business hours with the per-unit price at your requested quantity, the lead time, and the cheapest way to scale up to the standard MOQ if volume is flexible.