Indoor slippers are one of the few footwear categories where a private label can be launched on a modest budget — but only if the MOQ is read correctly. Most mills quote per colour, per style. A 1,200-pair MOQ per colour therefore means a 2,400-pair opening order, not 1,200. Miss that and the proforma invoice arrives as a surprise.

How MOQ actually works in slippers

Our standard is 600 pairs per colour, which is low for the category because EVA moulds are cheap and the same mould can carry several prints. Below 600 pairs the cost per pair climbs quickly — not because of the material, which is a few dollars, but because of setup: mould change, colour change, print plate and packing line. Ask any supplier to show you the price at 600, 1,000 and 2,400 pairs. If the three numbers are identical, the MOQ is a policy rather than a cost, and you can negotiate.

What you can usually combine inside one MOQ: sizes. A 600-pair run of one colour can be split across a full size curve, and it should be — a curve of 36#-41# in even steps sells better than an even split that ignores your own sell-through data.

Sizing is where new buyers lose money

Asian moulds are often built on 30#-40# runs, while European retail expects 36#-41# with a 41# sell-through at the top end. Confirm the size curve in writing, and ask for a graded sample set rather than a single size. A single sample in 38# tells you nothing about whether the 41# will grip the foot.

Slipper sizing runs roughly one size small against sneakers because the foot sits further back in an open-back style. If you are converting a sneaker size chart into a slipper order, check three sizes physically before you sign off the curve. Our indoor slipper wholesale range lists the size run and MOQ on every style, and the specification table is the number we build to.

Packaging decisions, and what they cost

A polybag costs a fraction of a printed colour box, but a box lifts perceived value in gift channels and it changes your freight arithmetic. Standard packing is one pair per polybag and 30 pairs per carton. Switch to a shoebox and you may drop to 24 pairs per carton, which raises the freight per pair by roughly a quarter even though the box itself costs cents.

Where the money usually hides:

  • Polybag thickness — thin bags split in transit, and split bags mean soiled product and a claim
  • Hang tag vs header card — a header card needs a different polybag fold, which affects packing time and unit cost
  • Carton markings — your barcode, size ratio and country of origin must be printed, not stickered, if a container is inspected at destination

Print, licence and the gift channel

Printed EVA slides are the fastest-moving sub-category in slippers, and the print is where legal risk sits. A supplier who accepts artwork without asking about the licence is a supplier who will ship the order and let you carry the customs risk. For our printed kids' styles such as the printed kids EVA slide, we ask for the licence reference or a written authorisation before the print plate is cut.

If you are selling into the gift channel rather than the beach channel, the faux fur mule is the style that carries a gift price point: TPR outsole, fur lining, low block heel, and it photographs well in a gift display.

Season and sample timing

Slippers are a spring/summer category in most markets, which means production has to be finished by March for a Northern Hemisphere season. Sampling takes one to two weeks, production 25-35 days, and sea freight four to six weeks to Europe. Working backwards, the order needs to be confirmed in November or December — not in February, which is when most first-time buyers start asking.

FAQ

What is your minimum order quantity for indoor slippers?

600 pairs per colour per style. Sizes can be mixed within that quantity, and two or three styles can share one container. Below 600 pairs we quote case by case, with the setup cost shown separately.

Can we mix sizes in one carton?

Yes, and most buyers do. Standard packing is 30 pairs per carton with a ratio you specify — commonly 1:2:2:1 across four sizes, or a flat 6 pairs per size across five sizes. The ratio is printed on the carton.

How long does sampling take?

One to two weeks for a stock mould in your colour, longer if a print plate or a new mould is required. Sample cost is charged and the freight is collected; both are credited against the production order at our discretion.