What Is the Minimum Order for Custom Beanies?
If you’re researching custom beanies for your brand, event, or retail store, one of the first questions you’ll ask is:
What’s the MOQ for custom beanies?
The answer depends on the manufacturer, but minimum order quantities (MOQs) can vary dramatically.
Some overseas factories require 100, 250, or even 500+ units per design. For small brands, events, startups, ski clubs, or local businesses, it can feel overwhelming.
At Fourbital Factory, our minimum order quantity is typically 25–50 units, depending on the beanie style and customization details.
Here’s what that means for you - and why MOQ matters more than you might think.
Why Do Custom Beanies Have Minimum Order Quantities?
Custom knit beanies are manufactured differently from blank hats with simple embroidery.
When producing custom beanies, manufacturers must account for:
Yarn setup and color changes
Knit machine programming
Design sampling
Labor time
Production scheduling
Because of these setup requirements, factories set MOQs to ensure each run is efficient and sustainable.
The key difference between manufacturers is how large the minimum needs to be.
Fourbital Factory’s Minimum Order: 25–50 Units
At Fourbital Factory, most custom beanie orders fall within a 25–50 unit minimum, depending on:
Beanie style (cuffed, pom, midi, jacquard, ribbed)
Number of yarn colors
Logo complexity
Custom labels or patches
Special finishing details
25 Unit Minimum
Typically applies to:
Simpler knit styles
Limited color palettes
Clean embroidery or woven labels
50 Unit Minimum
More common for:
Jacquard knit designs
Multi-color patterns
More detailed customization
This flexibility allows small brands and those looking to make custom beanies for events to test designs without overcommitting inventory.
Why a Lower MOQ Matters
For startups and smaller organizations, lower minimums create major advantages:
1. Lower Upfront Investment
You don’t need to tie up capital in 250+ units.
2. Less Inventory Risk
Test new designs before scaling.
3. Faster Design Iteration
Try seasonal or limited-edition drops.
4. Easier Retail Testing
Perfect for boutique shops, ski resorts, or university stores testing new branding.
Lower MOQs reduce financial pressure while still delivering fully custom, high-quality knit beanies.
How Fourbital Compares to Overseas Manufacturers
Many overseas custom beanie manufacturers require:
100–500+ unit minimums
Long production timelines
International shipping
Higher risk for small brands
Because Fourbital Factory manufactures in Vermont, we’re able to:
Offer smaller production runs
Maintain quality control
Adjust details quickly
Keep communication direct and transparent
For brands that value flexibility, speed, and domestic production, that difference matters.
Are 25–50 Units Enough for Retail?
Yes, especially for:
Pop-up events
Limited-edition drops
Corporate gifting
Team or club merchandise
Small retail shops
For example:
If you order 50 beanies and sell them at retail pricing, you can often cover your production cost while testing demand without carrying excess inventory.
If the design performs well, you reorder. If not, you pivot.
That agility is difficult with 300+ unit minimums.
What If I Need Fewer Than 25 Beanies?
Because custom knit production requires machine setup and programming, orders under 25 units are typically not feasible for fully custom runs.
However, if you’re unsure about quantity, we can help you determine the right volume based on:
Your audience size
Sales goals
Event attendance
Retail environment
So, What Is the Minimum Order for Custom Beanies?
At Fourbital Factory, the minimum order is typically:
25–50 custom beanies per design, depending on the style and level of customization.
That makes custom knit beanies accessible to:
Small businesses
Universities
You don’t need a 500-unit budget to create high-quality, USA-made custom beanies.
You just need the right production partner.
If you’re planning your first custom beanie run, our team can walk you through style options, customization details, and the exact MOQ required for your design. Fill out our custom beanie intake form today for more information!
