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Short answer: our trial run for a made-to-spec towel starts at 500 pieces. Below that, you have two routes. Four bath sizes that we make continuously carry no minimum order. And a smaller order in another spec can join a run we already have in production, in that run's size, weight and colour.
The four running sizes
| Item | Size | Weight | GSM | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Face towel | 12 x 12 in (30 x 30 cm) | 50 g | 550 | None |
| Hand towel | 17 x 27 in (43 x 69 cm) | 150 g | 500 | None |
| Bath towel | 30 x 60 in (76 x 152 cm) | 650 g | 550 | None |
| Bath mat | 20 x 30 in (51 x 76 cm) | 350 g | 900 | None |
These are made all the time, so a small order does not need its own setup. A guesthouse can order 60 bath towels, 60 hand towels and 30 mats.
The three ways to order towels
| Route | Quantity | What you choose | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running sizes | Any | Quantity only. Size, weight and colour are set | Rate-list price |
| Join a run in production | Under 500 | Quantity. You take that run's spec | Quoted against the run |
| Trial run | From 500 pieces | Your own size, weight, colour | Trial pricing, a small premium |
| Wholesale | From 2,000 pieces per SKU | Everything, plus labels and packaging | Wholesale pricing |
Why 500 exists at all
Setting up a towel run has fixed costs: yarn booked, a loom set, a dye or bleach lot, labels and cartons. Those cost nearly the same for 200 towels as for 2,000. Below about 500 pieces, the setup cost per towel becomes unreasonable. Running sizes avoid the problem because the setup is already paid for by continuous production.
What you give up on a small order
- Custom size and weight. You take the running spec.
- Custom colour. Running sizes are in the colours being made.
- Woven labels, embroidery and custom packaging. These start at 2,000 pieces per SKU.
What you don't give up: inspection, documents, and the same terms as any order.
Bed linen and robes are different
Their minimums are already low.
| Product | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Bed linen at 200, 300 and 400 thread count | 50 pieces per size, standard or custom sizes |
| White bathrobes | 50 pieces per size |
So a 15-room hotel can order custom-size sheets and robes, and running-size towels, on one order.
Freight on a small order
The goods are the smaller part of the cost. Shipping, clearing and delivery have minimum charges that do not shrink with the order. On 100 towels, freight and clearing can exceed the price of the towels.
- Combine towels, sheets and robes into one shipment. See robes and towels on one order.
- Ask for the landed cost, not only the FOB price.
- Consider air freight for very small, light orders. It can cost less than the minimum sea charge.
Who this suits
- Guesthouses, villas and boutique hotels under 30 rooms
- Holiday-home operators adding a few units
- Spas and salons
- A brand testing a product before a 500-piece trial
- A hotel needing a top-up between large orders
See a 20-room boutique hotel's complete first order for a worked example.
How to ask
Tell us the items and quantities and say you are happy with running sizes. We'll confirm stock position, price and ship date. If you need a different spec, we'll tell you which runs are in production that come close.
More on our low-minimum towel page. To check what is running now, send us your list.
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Written by
Dr Abin Babu
Founder & Chairman, Anabyn Global Ventures
Anabyn exports hotel and home linen from Kerala, India. These guides come from the questions buyers ask our desk. About the team
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