MOQs are not arbitrary. They come from how leather, hardware and packaging are bought and processed.

What drives the minimum

• Leather: custom colours and finishes are dyed in batches.

• Hardware: exclusive buckles or zips need new tooling.

• Trims and packaging: printed boxes and labels have their own minimums.

• Number of styles and colours: splitting a run across many variants raises the cost per unit.

How to keep a first order small

• Start with the factory's existing leather colours and catalogue hardware.

• Limit your first range to a few styles and colourways.

• Ask whether the MOQ applies per style, per colour or per order.

• Plan reorders early, since repeat runs are easier once materials are set up.

Be upfront about your volume and growth plans. A supplier who understands them can often suggest a workable structure.