MOQ
MOQ ("minimum order quantity") is the smallest production run a manufacturer will accept. For offshore board game production, the MOQ is often 500 to 1,500 copies — below that the per-unit price climbs sharply or the factory won't quote at all.
Why it matters
MOQ is the single biggest reason designers turn to print-on-demand or Kickstarter. A 1,000-copy MOQ means committing tens of thousands of dollars before you sell a single game; POD lets you skip the gamble.
Example
A medium-complexity card game from an offshore manufacturer might quote 1,000 copies at $8 each ($8,000), 500 copies at $14 each ($7,000), or 100 copies — declined. POD services like TheGameCrafter quote 1 copy at around $15-30.