Crystavo’s mass-production minimum is 10,000 pieces. The useful planning question is not only “can I order 10,000 bags?” It is “how much of that packaging can I sell before the artwork, coffee range or regulatory copy changes?”
A good MOQ plan protects the approved material and bag construction while reducing the risk of obsolete SKU inventory.
Start with annual usage, not launch excitement
Planning example: a new range has four origins, two bag sizes, and artwork for a seasonal blend. Before calling a supplier, make a row for each design and quantity, then distinguish shared structure from different print. Custom mass production normally starts from 10,000 pieces; the applicable minimum can vary with structure, print method, and design count, so confirm it for the actual configuration. If the launch is not ready for custom production, compare available standard samples first; shipping is confirmed separately. Compare the resulting inventory by SKU, expected reorder point, storage space, and risk of obsolete seasonal artwork. A common pouch platform may simplify specification control, but it does not erase per-design quantities or prove that every artwork version can share one production run. If quantity exceeds launch demand, compare storage and reorder plans with the cost difference before splitting or consolidating designs.
Estimate monthly usage by selling unit and SKU, then include realistic growth, seasonality and reorder lead time. Separate permanent coffees from short releases. A core espresso blend may justify dedicated printed packaging; rotating micro-lots may be better served by a shared base pouch and variable label.
Estimate inventory coverage: Months of cover = usable bags on hand ÷ average monthly use. At an assumed use of 1,000 bags a month, 10,000 bags represent about 10 months of stock. Calculate this separately for each size and design, then check seasonal demand, artwork changes, storage and the agreed reorder schedule. Confirm the production minimum for each quoted configuration before combining quantities.
| Range pattern | Packaging direction to review | Main control |
|---|---|---|
| One high-volume core SKU | Dedicated full-surface printed pouch | Stable artwork, forecast and repeat-order reference |
| Several permanent SKUs | Shared structure with coordinated artwork versions | Quantity per design and color consistency across the range |
| Seasonal or changing origins | Shared printed or stock-look base pouch with variable label | Label stock, application, coding and obsolete inventory |
| Private label customers | Approved common platform with controlled customer labels or artwork | Version control, customer-specific copy and minimum per variant |
Keep the specification common where it makes sense
SKUs that share the same coffee state, net weight, valve, zipper, barrier target and distribution route may be able to share one physical pouch platform. That does not mean every coffee must use the same packaging. A different fill volume, export route or freshness target can justify a separate structure.
The coffee bean packaging range includes full-print, kraft-facing, foil and labelled directions. Compare a flat-bottom format for a defined retail face with a side-gusset format for larger or wholesale fills; confirm each actual SKU and print configuration before planning shared inventory.
Compare the full project cost
- Bag unit cost at the approved quantity
- Printing cylinders, plates or setup where applicable
- Artwork preparation and physical sample route
- Labels, variable printing and application labor
- Carton packing, freight and storage
- Inventory that may become obsolete after a design change
A lower printed unit price can be a poor decision if the brand will not use the inventory. Conversely, a flexible label route can add labor and material cost at higher volume. Compare both routes using the same forecast and approved bag specification.
Use samples to approve the platform
Available standard samples are free and help the team compare format, material feel, zipper and valve direction. If a custom physical sample is required, confirm its scope, artwork, material and approval purpose before mass production. The sample fee and credit terms should be written into the quotation rather than assumed.
Prepare the repeat order before the first order ships
Retain the signed artwork, material construction, dimensions, valve, zipper, finish, case quantity and approved physical reference. Set a reorder point based on actual monthly use and the agreed production and transit plan. This prevents an emergency reorder from becoming an unreviewed specification change.
MOQ planning worksheet
- Monthly use by SKU and package size
- Permanent versus seasonal products
- Months of stock covered by 10,000 pieces
- Dedicated print versus shared base and label
- Expected artwork or compliance changes
- Production, transit and safety-stock timing
SKU planning before quotation
List each design, size, quantity per design, label or print route, forecast, and reorder condition. Record which elements can share a pouch platform and which must remain separate. This makes the 10,000-piece production discussion clearer without assuming one MOQ applies to every configuration.
Record the result with the project reference.
In practice
Translate bags into months of stock.
The useful question is how long each design will remain usable.
Calculate by design
As an illustrative planning example, 10,000 bags used at 2,000 per month represent five months of stock before allowing for any operational reserve. At 500 per month, the same quantity represents twenty months. These are arithmetic examples, not a sales forecast or a quoted minimum for every format.
Repeat the calculation for each size and artwork. A combined forecast can hide a slow-moving seasonal design, and a low unit price does not remove the cost of holding stock that may become outdated.
Keep changing details flexible
List which details might change during that stock period: origin, roast name, contact information, disposal wording or a promotional message. Consider whether a shared design with a controlled label area can accommodate those changes, then compare the extra labeling work with dedicated printed packs. Confirm the production minimum for the actual size and design breakdown before committing.
Do not promise a shared MOQ to your own team until the supplier has confirmed it. Review remaining stock at reorder time so the next purchase reflects actual use.
