MOQ, sampling and lead times explained

1. 01

   What MOQ actually means

   MOQ is the minimum order quantity a factory needs to justify tooling, line setup and material purchasing. At CIC it is 300 pieces per SKU and 100 per colourway, which is low for genuine OEM production.

2. 02

   Why factories have minimums

   Custom moulds, acetate purchasing and line changeovers carry fixed costs. Below a certain volume, quality-led production stops making sense for both sides.

3. 03

   Sampling comes before commitment

   You never commit 300 pieces to an idea. First samples arrive in 20 to 45 days, and production only starts after you approve them.

4. 04

   Lead times, honestly

   A first production run takes around 120 days from approval: tooling, production and per-frame QC. Reorders run 90 to 120 days on the same tooling.

5. 05

   Planning a launch backwards

   Count back from your launch date: roughly four months of production, plus sampling and iteration in front. Start conversations six to eight months before you want frames on shelves.

6. 06

   Need fewer than 300 pieces?

   Ready-made collections can be adapted and branded from lower volumes, and our small batch programme is built exactly for first collections.

Starting smaller? See the small batch programme →