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Minimum order quantity FAQ

Updated April 23, 2026

This guide covers everything you need to know about Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) products.

What is MOQ?​

MOQ stands for Minimum Order Quantity. It refers to the minimum number of products that must be sold before they can be printed and shipped by the manufacturer.

Why use MOQ?​

  • Pros: The more you order, the lower the cost per unit, meaning you can earn higher profits.
  • Cons: If you don't meet the minimum order, you'll need to either cover the remaining cost yourself or cancel the drop.

Can I split my MOQ order by size?​

Yes! You can mix sizes as long as they all use the same design. Example: 15 Small, 20 Medium, and 15 Large (for a total of 50 MOQ).

Is the MOQ minimum based on style or SKU?​

MOQ is based on the same design file, regardless of SKU or garment style. You can mix different products as long as the design, design size, and print location are the same.

Can I combine T-shirts and hoodies to reach my MOQ?​

Yes! You can mix different garment styles, like T-shirts and hoodies, as long as they share the same design file.

Can I offer both MOQ and on-demand products in the same drop?​

Absolutely! You can create a drop that includes both MOQ products and on-demand (POD) products.

Will Fourthwall cover the upfront costs for MOQ?​

No, Fourthwall does not cover upfront costs. However, we support pre-sales, so you can collect orders before production begins.

How do I know if MOQ will be profitable?​

Start by comparing the MOQ unit cost to what you'd pay for the same product through Print-on-Demand (POD). MOQ pricing is lower per unit, so your profit margin per item is higher, but you need enough sales to cover the full minimum order.

To run a break-even analysis: multiply the MOQ unit cost by the minimum quantity, then divide by your selling price. That gives you the number of sales needed to cover production costs. Any sales above that number are pure profit.

Use your audience size as a baseline. If you have 10,000 followers and a typical conversion rate of 1-3%, you can expect 100-300 orders. If the MOQ is 50 units, you're in a strong position. If it's 500, you'll want a larger or more engaged audience.

tip

De-risk with pre-sales. Open a pre-sale before committing to production. If orders hit the MOQ threshold before the deadline, you know the drop is profitable before any manufacturing begins.

What happens if I don't meet the MOQ?​

You have two options: cover the gap yourself or cancel the drop.

  • Cover the gap. Pay the remaining unit cost out of pocket to bring the total up to the minimum. Production proceeds and all existing orders ship as planned. This makes sense when you're close to the threshold and confident you can sell the extra inventory later.
  • Cancel the drop. Cancel production and issue full refunds to supporters who already ordered. You won't owe anything for manufacturing, but you'll lose the momentum from the campaign.

Factor this risk into your pricing. Set your selling price high enough that even if you need to cover a small shortfall, you still break even or stay profitable. Creators who price too close to the MOQ unit cost leave no room for error.

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