Every week, I get emails from new Amazon sellers asking the exact same question: “Can I order 50 pairs of fully custom jeans with my own brand?” I completely understand why they ask. When you are launching a Private Label brand on Amazon, you want to test the market before tying up $15,000 in inventory. But in the denim manufacturing world, making 50 pairs of custom jeans is practically impossible without charging you an insane price per piece.
If you want to customize jeans for Amazon but don’t have the budget for thousands of units, here is the honest truth on how you can actually get it done.
What Does “Low MOQ” Actually Mean in Denim Manufacturing?
Let’s clear up the biggest misunderstanding first. On Alibaba, you might see factories advertising an MOQ of 10 pieces. Usually, this just means they are selling you leftover stock from another brand, and you cannot change the fit or the fabric.
For actual custom manufacturing, a realistic “Low MOQ” is 300 pieces per style and per wash. Why 300? Because of the washing machines. Industrial denim washing machines are massive. If we put 50 pairs of jeans into a machine built for 100kg, the water and stones will destroy the jeans. 300 pieces is usually the minimum amount needed to run the cutting and washing process efficiently without wasting money.
How Can You Customize Your Brand on a Smaller Order?
If you are ordering 300 pieces, you can’t ask the factory to weave a brand-new fabric just for you. But you can make the jeans look 100% like your own brand.
Here is the best strategy for low MOQ customization:
- Use Stock Fabric: Ask the factory what fabrics they already have on the floor. A standard 12oz stretch denim is always available. Using stock fabric bypasses the fabric mill’s massive MOQs.
- Change the Trims: The easiest way to make a generic jean look premium is by customizing the hardware. Put your logo on the main button, the rivets, and the leather back-patch.
- Custom Polybags and Tags: Amazon FBA requires specific packaging. Spend a little extra on high-quality frosted zip bags and thick hangtags with your branding. This massively improves the unboxing experience and helps prevent bad reviews.
Why Should You Stick to One Wash for Your First Run?
Many new sellers say, “Okay, I’ll order 300 pieces, but I want 100 in blue, 100 in black, and 100 in grey.” In the factory, we have to treat each color as a completely separate order. Different colors require different washing recipes, different temperatures, and sometimes different threads. If you split your order like this, the factory will likely charge you a “small-batch surcharge” for each color.
My advice: For your very first Amazon test run, pick your strongest color (usually a medium blue or a clean black), order 300 units of that single wash across different sizes, and prove that your fit sells. You can add more colors later.
Does a Low MOQ Mean You Pay a Higher Price Per Unit?
Yes. You need to factor this into your Amazon profit margins immediately.
Setting up a sewing line takes time. Whether we are sewing 300 pairs or 3,000 pairs, it takes the same amount of time to calibrate the machines, set the patterns, and train the workers on your specific design. Because those setup costs are divided among fewer pairs of jeans, your FOB (Free on Board) price per piece will be higher.
Do not expect to get the same $8 per-piece pricing that big brands get for ordering 10,000 units. A high-quality custom jean at a 300 MOQ will cost more, so you need to ensure your Amazon retail price can absorb that cost plus FBA fees.
Can You Use a Factory’s Existing Pattern to Save Money?
Absolutely. This is called “White Labeling” or “Private Labeling,” and it is the smartest move for beginners.
Developing a custom fit from scratch requires multiple rounds of sample making, which costs time and money. If you find a factory that already produces a great-fitting “Slim Straight” or “Mom Jean,” ask if you can use their existing pattern and just add your own brand’s wash and trims. This cuts development time in half and drastically reduces the risk of sizing issues and high Amazon return rates.
The Bottom Line Starting a denim brand on Amazon with a low MOQ is entirely possible, but you have to be smart about what you customize. Don’t reinvent the wheel with custom fabrics. Focus on great branding, a reliable fit, and standard washes.
Looking for a factory that supports realistic MOQs? We help Amazon sellers launch with manageable 300-piece minimums using our high-quality stock fabrics. [Send us a message] with your brand idea, and we can show you what trims and hardware we can customize for you.
FAQ: The Reality of Low MOQ Denim Orders
Do I still have to pay high sample fees for a small order?
Yes. Making a pattern, cutting the fabric, and running a single pair of jeans through a wash cycle takes exactly the same amount of effort whether your final bulk order is 300 pieces or 3,000 pieces. In fact, making one sample is often more labor-intensive because it cannot be done on the automated production line. Expect to pay a premium for the prototype, but remember that a good factory will usually credit this cost back to you once you place the bulk order.
Will my 300-piece order be finished faster than a large order?
Actually, no. Many new sellers assume a small order takes less time. But setting up the sewing machines, calibrating the wash recipes, and organizing the line takes days. Also, to be completely transparent, factories prioritize massive 10,000-piece orders. Small orders are often scheduled in the gaps between large production runs. You should still plan for a standard 45 to 60-day lead time.
Can you attach Amazon FNSKU barcodes and custom polybags on a 300-unit order?
Yes, we do full FBA prep. However, there is a catch with custom packaging. While we can sew 300 jeans, the suppliers who print custom frosted polybags usually have an MOQ of 1,000 or 3,000 bags. What most smart sellers do is buy the 1,000 custom bags upfront (they are very cheap), we use 300 for the first order, and we keep the remaining 700 in our warehouse for your next restock.
How should I ship a 300-piece order to Amazon FBA?
Do not use air freight unless you are selling luxury jeans with massive profit margins. 300 pairs of heavy jeans, plus packaging and cartons, will weigh roughly 180 to 220 kg. Shipping that by air express (like DHL or FedEx) will destroy your profit margin before you even make a sale. The most cost-effective method is LCL (Less than Container Load) sea freight. It takes longer (about 25-35 days), but it keeps your landed cost low so you can actually compete on Amazon.
