Buying handmade wooden products wholesale: minimum orders, lead times and branding
A plain guide for shops and new brands buying handmade wooden pieces in bulk: what a minimum order means, how long it takes and what to send first.
If you want to stock handmade wooden pieces in a shop, or sell them under your own brand, settle three things first: the minimum order, the lead time and the branding. At Sillanwali Handicrafts the minimum is 20 pieces per item, mixed items are fine as long as the total reaches 20, and bulk orders take two to four weeks from our workshop in Sillanwali, Sargodha.
What does a minimum order quantity mean?
A minimum order quantity (MOQ) is the smallest order a maker will take at bulk rates. It is not a target or a sales pitch. It tells you the point at which an order is treated as a batch rather than a one-off piece.
For a buyer, the minimum shapes the first order. It decides how many designs you can try at once and how much stock you hold before you know what sells.
Why do handmade workshops set a minimum?
In a hand workshop, much of the work on a batch happens before the first piece is finished: preparing the wood, setting out the colours for lacquer work, and setting up any engraving. That preparation takes much the same time for a small batch as for a larger one, so a minimum lets it be shared across enough pieces to make a volume rate possible.
What are our bulk terms?
- Minimum order: 20 pieces per item. Mixed items are fine as long as the total reaches 20.
- Lead time: two to four weeks, depending on quantity and finish. We confirm a date before starting.
- Branding: we can engrave your logo or name on most items, and pack to your requirement.
- Pricing: rates are quoted per enquiry. There is no public wholesale price list.
These are the same terms shown on our Bulk Orders page, which is where every enquiry starts.
How should a new shop or brand plan a first order?
A first order is a test as much as a purchase. A few plain steps keep it useful:
- Start with a small number of designs you can describe well to your own customers.
- Use the mixed-items rule to try several pieces without holding large stock of any one.
- Ask for photos of the finishes you are choosing between before you confirm.
- Work back from your selling season. With a two to four week lead time, plus delivery, order well before Eid, wedding season or the holidays.
- Think about how each piece will be displayed, photographed and shipped to your own customers.
What should you expect from handmade stock?
Handmade pieces are not identical. Grain, carving and hand-applied colour vary a little from one piece to the next, even within one batch. For most buyers this is the point of handmade, but it is worth saying so in your own product listings, so your customers know what they are buying.
If you need pieces to match closely, for a set or a display, say so in your enquiry so it can be discussed before work starts.
Can the pieces carry your own brand?
Yes, on most items. We can engrave a logo or a name, and pack to your requirement. Send the artwork or exact wording in writing. The wording and design are confirmed with you before work begins, so check the spelling and placement carefully at that stage.
Businesses ordering gifts rather than stock follow the same steps. Our guide to handmade corporate gifts covers what companies usually order.
Handmade corporate gifts in Pakistan
What should your first enquiry include?
- Your business name and a contact person.
- A WhatsApp number and your city.
- The products you are interested in, with photos or links if you have them.
- An estimated quantity for each item.
- Any engraving or packing you need, and the date you need the order by.
You can send this through the Bulk Orders form or message the workshop on WhatsApp at +92 346 7762621. If you want a piece that is not on the website, send a photo or sketch through Custom Orders.
Can you order from outside Pakistan?
Yes. Orders from outside Pakistan are arranged with you directly. Import rules and duties depend on your country, so check what applies to you before you order. We cannot advise on your local import rules.
Ordering favours for a wedding or event instead of stock? See our guide to bulk wedding and event favours.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the minimum order for wholesale handmade wooden products?
- 20 pieces per item. Mixed items are fine as long as the total reaches 20.
- How long does a bulk order take?
- Two to four weeks depending on quantity and finish. We confirm a date with you before work starts.
- Can you put my logo on the products?
- Yes, we can engrave your logo or name on most items, and pack to your requirement. The design is confirmed with you before work begins.
- Do you have a wholesale price list?
- No. Rates are quoted per enquiry.
- How do I start a wholesale enquiry?
- Send the Bulk Orders form, or message the workshop on WhatsApp at +92 346 7762621 with your business name, city, products and estimated quantity.