Vial Seal MOQ and Lead Times

Q: Is the MOQ per order or per size and colour?

It is per size and colour. Two colours of the same seal count as two quantities, each typically from 50,000 pieces for a standard design.

Q: How long does it take to receive vial seals?

A standard design typically ships 2 to 3 weeks after order confirmation. Custom colour or print typically takes 4 to 6 weeks including artwork approval, and Ready-to-Use supply typically adds 1 to 2 weeks. Transit is additional.

Stacked boxes of vial seals in a warehouse, illustrating vial seal MOQ and lead times

At Autofits, a standard vial seal design typically has a minimum order quantity from 50,000 pieces per size and colour and a lead time of typically 2 to 3 weeks from order confirmation. Custom colour, print or emboss typically starts from 100,000 pieces and typically takes 4 to 6 weeks including artwork approval, and Ready-to-Use (sterilised) supply typically adds 1 to 2 weeks. These are typical figures: the order quantity and lead time for your part are confirmed on enquiry and stated with the quotation.

Key takeaways

Standard designs: MOQ typically from 50,000 pieces per size and colour.
Custom colour, print or emboss: MOQ typically from 100,000 pieces.
Lead time, standard: typically 2 to 3 weeks from order confirmation.
Lead time, custom: typically 4 to 6 weeks, including artwork approval.
Ready-to-Use supply: typically adds 1 to 2 weeks for sterilisation and release.
Samples: typically 200 to 500 pieces per size, dispatched typically within 5 working days.
Capacity: more than 2.4 billion seals a year and around 250 million aluminium pilfer-proof caps a month.

Typical minimum order quantities

The typical MOQ applies per size and colour, not per order. All figures are typical and confirmed on enquiry.

Order type	Applies to	Typical MOQ
Standard design, standard colour	FlipTop Optima, Pull Ring, Tear-Down; tear-off and tear-down seals; ROPP caps	From 50,000 pieces per size and colour
Custom colour	Disc or lacquer colour matched to your reference	From 100,000 pieces
Custom print or emboss	Print or emboss on the disc or aluminium	From 100,000 pieces
Samples for evaluation	Standard designs	200 to 500 pieces per size

Two orders of 50,000 in two different colours are two separate MOQs, even when the size and design are the same. The same rule applies across sizes: a 13 mm and a 20 mm seal in one colour are counted separately. Colour options and how a shade is matched are set out on the seal colour chart.

What an MOQ looks like in boxes

Converting the typical MOQ into standard boxes is useful for storage planning; the counts below are calculated from the pieces per box for each size.

Seal size	Seals per box	Boxes for 50,000 seals	Boxes for 100,000 seals
13 mm	15,000	3.3	6.7
20 mm	6,000	8.3	16.7
28 mm	3,000	16.7	33.3
32 mm	1,400	35.7	71.4
34 mm	Confirmed with the quotation	Confirmed with the quotation	Confirmed with the quotation

ROPP caps are packed in cartons of typically about 12,000 at 22 mm down to about 4,000 at 38 mm, so a 50,000-piece order of 28 mm caps is typically around seven cartons of 7,500. Box sizes and bag configuration are on the packaging and shipping specs page.

Typical lead times

Lead time is counted from order confirmation, and the two things that lengthen it are custom artwork and sterilisation. Transit to your site is additional and depends on destination and shipping mode.

Order	Typical lead time
Standard design, Regular supply	2 to 3 weeks
Standard design, Ready-to-Use (gamma or ETO)	3 to 5 weeks
Custom colour or print, Regular supply	4 to 6 weeks, including artwork approval
Custom colour or print, Ready-to-Use	5 to 8 weeks, including artwork approval
Samples of standard designs	Dispatched within 5 working days of a complete request

The Ready-to-Use rows are the typical base lead time plus the typical 1 to 2 weeks for sterilisation and release; like every row, they are confirmed with the quotation. Ready-to-Use seals are assembled in an ISO Class 8 cleanroom and sterilised by gamma irradiation or ETO; the validation behind those cycles is described under sterilisation validation.

What moves a lead time

On a first order, several of the steps that move a lead time are decisions on the buyer’s side.

Artwork approval. Custom print or colour starts only once the artwork or colour reference is signed off, so the custom lead time includes the time an approval takes on your side.
Drawing sign-off. A first order against a new vial or stopper needs the seal drawing agreed before production is scheduled.
Delivery form. Changing from Regular to Ready-to-Use after confirmation adds the sterilisation step.
Documentation for qualification. Certificate copies and material declarations requested alongside a first order should be listed at enquiry so they travel with the quotation.
Forecast. Repeat orders against a shared annual forecast are easier to schedule than unplanned call-offs.

Standard versus custom at a glance

	Standard design	Custom colour, print or emboss
Typical MOQ	From 50,000 per size and colour	From 100,000 pieces
Typical lead time, Regular	2 to 3 weeks	4 to 6 weeks
Artwork approval	Not needed	Needed before production
Samples before order	Standard samples, 200 to 500 per size	Standard samples; custom samples confirmed on enquiry
Where to start	FlipTop Optima or pilfer-proof caps	Custom seals

What to send for an MOQ and lead time quote

Name the part and the quantities, and state when you need the seals at your site.

Product line, design, size and colour
Quantity per size and colour for the first order, and annual volume
Delivery form: Regular, Ready-to-Sterilize, or Ready-to-Use by gamma or ETO
Artwork or colour reference, if custom
Required date at site and destination country
Documents needed with the first order

Contact Autofits with the list above. If you have not evaluated the seal yet, start with a sample request; for a custom part, the custom seal quote request lists the full specification. More ordering questions are answered in the ordering FAQs.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum order quantity for vial seals?

For standard designs, the minimum order quantity is typically from 50,000 pieces per size and colour. Custom colour, print or emboss typically starts from 100,000 pieces. The MOQ for a specific part is confirmed on enquiry and stated with the quotation.

Is the MOQ per order or per size and colour?

It is per size and colour. An order for two colours of the same 20 mm seal counts as two quantities, each typically from 50,000 pieces for a standard design, and the same applies to two sizes in one colour.

How long does it take to receive vial seals?

A standard design in Regular supply typically ships 2 to 3 weeks after order confirmation. Custom colour or print typically takes 4 to 6 weeks including artwork approval, and Ready-to-Use sterilised supply typically adds 1 to 2 weeks. Transit time to your site is additional.

Can I get samples before placing an order at MOQ?

Yes. Samples of standard designs are typically 200 to 500 pieces per size and are typically dispatched within 5 working days, which is enough for dimensional checks and a capping trial before committing to a production quantity.

Do ROPP caps have the same MOQ as vial seals?

The typical starting point is the same for standard designs, from 50,000 pieces per size and colour, with custom print typically from 100,000. ROPP caps are packed in cartons of typically 4,000 to 12,000 depending on size, and the quantity for your liner and finish is confirmed with the quotation.

Sources

Autofits company brochure: production capacity and in-house design (https://autofits.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Autofits-Brochure.pdf)
Autofits FlipTop Seals dossier: standard packing per box and delivery forms
ISO: ISO 11137-1, Sterilization of health care products, Radiation (https://www.iso.org/standard/81721.html)

*Last updated: 2026-09-15. Minimum order quantities, lead times and sample quantities on this page are typical values, confirmed on enquiry and stated with the quotation. Pack quantities per box are from the Autofits FlipTop Seals dossier.*