MOQ is the number most likely to stop a first order. It is also the number most suppliers treat as a guideline rather than a rule.
Where the boundaries come from
A factory minimum is usually set by tooling and print setup, not by unit economics. That is why private label starts far higher than stock supply — you are paying for a run, not a box.
Mix categories to reach a tier
Most wholesale programmes measure order size in sets, and let you mix categories to get there. If your first order sits just under a threshold, say so. A supplier who would rather place you correctly than lose the account over twelve sets is the one to keep.