Outerwear MOQ Guide for Australian Startups: How to Launch a Jacket Brand With Small Orders
Launching an outerwear brand in Australia has a natural advantage: your winter runs from June to August, opposite to the northern hemisphere, so factories often have more capacity when you need it. The challenge for startups is minimum order quantity (MOQ). This guide explains how MOQ works for outerwear, what quantities to expect, and how Australian startups can launch a jacket range with small orders.
What MOQ means and why factories set it
MOQ is the smallest quantity a factory will produce per style or per colour. It exists because of upstream minimums: fabric mills dye fabric in lots, trim suppliers sell zippers and labels in batches, and a sewing line needs enough pieces to run efficiently. A custom-dyed fabric or a custom zipper colour can push the minimum far above what a startup needs.
Typical outerwear MOQ at Sunshinecn Apparel
Our production is flexible for developing brands. Typical ranges are:
Sample: 1 piece
Small production: 50 to 300 pieces per style, using in-stock fabrics
Standard production: 300 to 1,000 pieces
Large production: 1,000 pieces and above
The final MOQ depends on materials, colours, construction and trims. A quilted jacket in an in-stock polyester with standard zippers is far easier to produce in small numbers than a fully seam-sealed ski shell in a custom-dyed laminate.
Six ways to lower your MOQ
Choose in-stock fabrics. We keep a range of shell, lining and insulation options that avoid mill minimums.
Limit colourways. Two colours per style is a realistic starting point for a first collection.
Share fabrics across styles. A puffer jacket and a lightweight jacket cut from the same fabric can be produced together.
Use standard trims. Stock zippers, snaps and cords keep costs and minimums down; add branding through zipper pullers and labels instead.
Keep branding simple. Woven labels, heat-transfer logos and hangtags have low minimums compared with custom hardware.
Start with a sample run. Approve fit and construction with one sample before committing to bulk quantities.
Planning around the Australian season
Australian retailers want winter stock on the floor by April or May. Working backwards from that date:
Sample development and revisions: October to November
Bulk order confirmation: December
Bulk production: 30 to 45 days, allowing for the Chinese New Year holiday in late January or February
Sea freight to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane: several weeks, so plan for departure in March
Air freight: a faster option for small first orders or top-ups
Starting development in spring gives you time for a second sample round without missing the season.
Cost drivers to watch
Beyond quantity, the main cost factors for a custom jacket are fabric, insulation, trims and sample development. Recycled fabrics and PrimaLoft® insulation cost more than standard polyester but support a higher retail price. Providing a complete tech pack reduces sampling rounds, which is the most common hidden cost for new brands.
Shipping and labelling for Australia
We coordinate door-to-door shipping to Australia by sea or air and prepare export documents for your customs broker. Before bulk production, confirm your care labelling, fibre content and country of origin labels so they meet Australian requirements. We produce woven labels, care labels and hangtags to your specification.
Frequently asked questions
Can I order only 50 jackets?
For selected styles using in-stock fabrics, yes. Requirements depend on the design and material availability, so send us your project details for a review.
Do I need a tech pack?
A tech pack speeds up development and reduces misunderstandings. If you do not have one yet, we can help refine your concept from sketches or a reference garment before sampling.
Can you source fabrics for me?
Yes. We recommend fabrics, insulation and trims based on your product requirements and target price.
Ready to plan your first collection?
Sunshinecn Apparel has developed custom outerwear in Hangzhou, China since 1997, working with brands in more than 30 countries. Request a quote and tell us the styles and quantities you have in mind.
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