What MOQ means and why it exists
The MOQ is the lowest quantity a mill will run for one order. It exists because setup work, weaving, printing screens and machine changeovers cost the same whether you make 200 bags or 20,000. Spreading that fixed cost over more units is what makes the price per bag workable, so suppliers set a floor.
Typical MOQ ranges
As a guide, expect roughly:
| Bag type | Typical MOQ |
|---|---|
| Plain stock sacking (B-Twill, Binola, hessian) | By the bale or full container (FCL) |
| Custom-printed promotional totes | 1,000 to 5,000 pieces |
| Trial or sample run | 100 to 500 pieces (higher unit cost) |
| Fully custom weave, size or lamination | Set per spec, usually higher |
These are indicative. A flexible mill will sometimes run less, but the price per bag rises as the quantity falls.
What drives the MOQ
- Printing: each colour needs its own screen, so multi-colour print raises the MOQ.
- Lamination and custom material: laminated or juco bags add a setup step.
- Custom weave or size: a non-standard loom setup needs volume to be worth running.
- Plain vs branded: unprinted stock bags have the lowest effective minimum.
MOQ and the price per unit
The two move together. A small trial run carries a high price per bag because the setup is spread thin, and the shipping cost per unit is also higher. Larger orders bring the unit price down and fill a container efficiently. If budget allows, ordering to a full container is almost always the lowest cost per bag.
How container loading sets a practical floor
Jute is bulky and low-value by volume, so freight matters. A part-container order pays nearly the same freight as a full one, which is why suppliers and buyers both gravitate to full-container (FCL) quantities. For sacking, the practical MOQ is often simply one container's worth.
Our approach to MOQ
We quote the MOQ against your exact bag, print and packing, and we are clear about where the price breaks fall. Tell us the style, whether it is printed, and your target quantity, and we will give you the MOQ and the unit price at a few volume levels.