Buyer’s Guide
If you have asked three metal gift factories for their MOQ and got three different numbers, that is not evasiveness — it is maths. This page breaks down what actually sets a minimum order quantity, what typical minimums look like by product and process, and five ways to bring yours down without weakening the design.
A minimum order quantity exists because every production run carries fixed costs that must be spread across the units you buy. Tooling, machine set-up, plating baths and first-piece inspection cost the same whether you make 200 pieces or 20,000. The MOQ is simply the quantity at which those fixed costs stop making your unit price unreasonable.
Two projects with the same artwork can therefore have very different minimums: one reuses an existing mould and standard plating, the other needs a brand-new steel tool and a custom-matched finish.
For die-cast zinc alloy parts, a steel mould is cut specifically for your shape. That tool costs the same whether it produces 200 pieces or 20,000 — it is the single biggest reason a minimum exists.
Every run needs the die-casting machine, drilling fixtures, polishing line and enamel station set up, calibrated and cleaned. That set-up time is paid once per run, not per piece.
Zinc alloy, brass and stainless are purchased in batch sizes. Plating and colour baths are mixed to a minimum volume — a half-empty bath still costs the same to run.
First-piece approval, in-line inspection and packing preparation are largely fixed effort. Below a certain quantity, that labour per unit becomes disproportionate.
| Product | Common process | Typical MOQ | What drives it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zinc alloy wine stopper | Die casting + plating | 500 pcs | New mould per shape |
| Metal keychain | Stamping / soft enamel | 300–500 pcs | Shape tooling + colour set-up |
| Bottle opener | Die casting or stamping | 500 pcs | Mould + plating bath |
| Fridge magnet | Die casting + soft enamel | 500 pcs | Mould + enamel colour set-up |
| Bag charm / pendant | Die casting + enamel + assembly | 500 pcs | Mould + hand assembly time |
| Medal / badge | Die-struck hard enamel | 100–300 pcs | Simpler tooling, flat blank |
| Christmas ornament | Die-struck / printing | 300–500 pcs | Seasonal tooling + finish |
| Engraved stock item | Laser engraving | 50–100 pcs | No new tooling required |
Ranges reflect common practice for custom metal gift manufacturing. Your actual minimum depends on artwork, finish and packaging — always confirm with the factory before you budget.
Rather than quote prices that will be wrong for your artwork, here is how unit cost typically behaves as quantity grows. Index 100 = the unit cost at 500 pcs.
| Order quantity | Indicative unit cost index | What changes behind the number |
|---|---|---|
| 500 pcs | 100 (baseline) | Tooling amortised over the fewest units |
| 1,000 pcs | ~85–90 | Same tooling, half the set-up cost per unit |
| 3,000 pcs | ~68–75 | Plating and enamel run in full, efficient baths |
| 5,000 pcs | ~60–68 | Material bought at a better rate |
| 10,000 pcs | ~55–62 | Line runs continuously without changeover |
This is an indicative index, not a quotation. Real pricing depends on metal choice, part weight, number of enamel colours, plating type and packaging.
We build custom metal gifts in our own facility in Dalang, Dongguan — die casting, drilling, CNC, polishing, enamel filling, plating and assembly are all handled in-house. Because tooling, colour and plating are under one roof, we can quote realistically at 500 pcs for most custom shapes rather than pushing you to 5,000 just to make the maths work.
If your project needs a different quantity, send us the artwork and we will tell you what the minimum actually is for your design — not a number copied off a price list.
Send your artwork, target quantity and delivery date. We will confirm the real MOQ for your design and quote three quantity tiers so you can see where the price breaks.
Get a Quote Browse KeychainsMOQ is the smallest quantity a factory will produce in one run. It is set by fixed costs — tooling, machine set-up, plating baths and inspection — that must be spread across the order before the unit price becomes practical.
Often yes, at a higher unit price, because the fixed costs are then spread over fewer pieces. If you need a trial run, ask the factory to quote the lower quantity directly instead of assuming the published minimum is absolute.
In most metal gift projects the tooling made for your design is yours, and factories keep it available for reorders for an agreed period. Always confirm ownership and retention in writing before tooling starts.
Sometimes. Designs that share the same base shape, metal and plating can often be combined in one run. Completely different shapes usually cannot, because each needs its own mould and set-up.
Up to a point. Unit price falls sharply from 500 to about 3,000 pieces as fixed costs are amortised, then flattens. Beyond that, savings come mostly from material and scheduling rather than tooling.