Minimum Order Quantity for Custom Sunglasses, Explained
MOQ — minimum order quantity — is where many first-time eyewear buyers get stuck. Too high and you tie up cash in stock you can't sell; misunderstand it and your unit price balloons. This guide demystifies sunglasses MOQ and shows how LumiShades makes a 50-pair entry possible.
Why factories set a minimum at all
Sunglasses production involves setup that doesn't shrink with order size: machine changeovers, color mixing, decoration screens or laser files, lens batches and QC setup. Below a certain quantity, that fixed effort makes each pair uneconomic. MOQ is the point where a factory can produce your order without losing money on setup.
What drives MOQ up or down
- Frame material: injected TR90 amortizes mould setup over more pairs; acetate is more hand-worked and flexible at low volume.
- Custom color: a Pantone-matched injection run needs enough volume to justify color mixing.
- Custom tooling: a brand-new frame mould carries the highest minimum.
- Lens & coating: specialty coatings (mirror, photochromic) run in batches.
- Decoration: laser engraving has near-zero setup; pad printing needs a plate.
The LumiShades MOQ in context
Our standard MOQ is 50 pairs per design and color — deliberately low so brands and importers can test the market before committing capital. That's far below the 500–1,000 pair minimums common for fully bespoke moulds, because we work from established frame platforms you can customize.
| Scenario | Typical MOQ | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Stock frame + your logo | 50 pairs | No tooling, fast decoration |
| Stock frame + custom color | 100–300 pairs | Color injection batch |
| Custom lens / coating | 100–300 pairs | Lens batch economics |
| Brand-new frame mould | 500–1,000 pairs | Tooling amortization |
How MOQ and unit price interact
MOQ is not the same as price-per-pair. You can hit MOQ at 50 pairs and still pay a higher unit price than a 1,000-pair buyer. Use the tier structure to model both your cash outlay and your margin.
| Quantity | Price / pair | Approx. order value |
|---|---|---|
| 50 pairs | $3.80–$9.50 | $190–$475 |
| 300 pairs | $3.20–$7.80 | $960–$2,340 |
| 1,000 pairs | $2.60–$6.20 | $2,600–$6,200 |
| 5,000 pairs | $2.10–$5.00 | $10,500–$25,000 |
Order the smallest quantity that proves demand, not the largest your budget allows. A sold-out 50-pair run beats a warehouse of unsold 1,000s.
How to lower your effective MOQ
- Choose a stock frame platform instead of new tooling.
- Use stock frame colors and customize only lenses and branding.
- Pick laser engraving (no plate setup) for your logo.
- Combine SKUs in one production window to share setup.
- Start with our entry tier, then scale once a style sells.
Want to start at 50 pairs?
LumiShades' low MOQ lets you launch without overcommitting. Tell us your style and quantity and we'll quote the most cash-efficient path.
Get a sampleKey takeaway
MOQ exists to make setup economic, not to gatekeep small brands. Understand what pushes it up, lean on stock platforms and low-setup decoration, and you can launch a credible custom range at 50 pairs. When a style proves itself, scale up the tiers to unlock better pricing — see our buyer's guide for the full picture.