OEM & Private Label · Cap Encyclopedia
MOQ for Custom Caps
MOQ isn't one number — it stacks by silhouette, fabric colour and decoration. Here are the realistic minimums, plus what pushes them up and what pulls them down.
Snapback / dad
300 / cw
Per colourway
Fitted
600 / cw
8-size ladder
Sublimated
100–200
No plate tooling
Custom dye
1,200+
Mill minimum
MOQ by silhouette
| Silhouette | MOQ per colourway | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Snapback (structured 6-panel) | 300 pcs | One-size, stock fabric |
| Dad hat (unstructured 6-panel) | 300 pcs | One-size, stock cotton twill |
| 5-panel camp cap | 300 pcs | One-size, stock fabric |
| Trucker cap (foam + mesh) | 300 pcs | Lowest FOB in the range |
| Bucket hat | 300 pcs | Sized S/M/L runs |
| Fitted cap (7 sizes) | 600 pcs | Size-run drives higher total |
| Beanie (knit) | 300 pcs | Yarn colour drives minimum |
| Sublimated performance cap | 100–200 pcs | No plate tooling; digital print |
MOQ by decoration
| Decoration | MOQ | Tooling |
|---|---|---|
| Flat embroidery | 300 pcs | One-time digitising fee |
| 3D puff embroidery | 300 pcs | Digitising + foam |
| PVC patch (2D or 3D) | 300 pcs | One-time mould tooling |
| Leather / PU patch | 300 pcs | Laser or debossed die |
| Woven label patch | 500 pcs | Loom set-up cost |
| Screen print (visor / peak) | 200 pcs | Per screen |
| Sublimation (all-over) | 100 pcs | Digital, no tooling |
What pushes MOQ up
- Custom-dyed fabric — mill dye lots start at 1,200 metres, roughly 1,200+ caps.
- Custom-woven fabric — loom set-ups need larger runs (2,000+).
- Custom hardware (branded snap, custom buckle) — die casting has its own MOQ.
- Rigid gift boxes — box factories typically MOQ 500.
- Full-size runs for fitted programmes.
What pulls MOQ down
- Stock fabric colours — no dye lot minimum.
- One silhouette, multiple colourways — decoration set-up can be shared.
- Sublimated caps — no plate or mould tooling.
- Screen-printed decoration on visor / peak — 200 pcs viable.
- Consolidating hangtag and label orders across styles.
Want a realistic MOQ for your programme?
Send silhouette, decoration and target colourways — we'll return a tiered price list with exact MOQ.