OEM & ODM • Low MOQ • Straight Answers

OEM Sunglasses FAQ — Practical Answers For Busy Buyers

Here is the no‑nonsense, bookmark‑worthy OEM sunglasses FAQ we give to new partners. It covers wholesale eyewear MOQ, sampling, compliance, logo printing, packaging, and the boring (but critical) stuff like AQL, Incoterms, and reorders. Short sentences. Clear options. If you don’t see your question here, message us—odds are we’ve solved it for another brand.

Tip: use the search in your browser (Ctrl/⌘+F) with keywords like “progressive,” “FDA,” or “EXW.”

MOQ, Sampling & Tooling

What is your wholesale eyewear MOQ?

Standard MOQs are designed for real‑world launches, not warehouses full of unsold stock. Typical ranges:

Category Per Color Per Style Notes
Acetate sunglasses 100–150 300–450 Shared core wire & case lowers risk
TR‑90 / injection 200 600 Best cost per unit
Metal / combo 120–150 360–450 Lead time slightly longer
Sports wraps 150–200 450–600 Lens tooling & vent parts
Prescription sun (RX) 50–100 150–300 Depends on RX route and lab plan

Can you start below the MOQ?

Yes—when the brief is focused. We combine shared components, limit colorways, and schedule partial runs. It’s a common path for first drops and market tests.

How does sampling work and what’s the lead time?

T0 (fit/shape) is 5–10 days on standard parts. T1 (final materials, coatings, labels) is 14–21 days. Complex metalwork, custom molds, or unique hinges add time; we flag it in the brief.

Who owns the molds and CAD files?

For custom molds paid by you, ownership is yours. We store and maintain them for production security. CADs used for OEM tweaks can be shared under NDA on request.

Do you offer 3D prints or STL for try‑ons?

Yes. We can ship PA12 prints for fast fit checks, or send STL/STEP for your in‑house print. Handy for bridge fit validation.

Branding, Logo Printing & Packaging

What logo methods do you support?

Pad print, foil stamp, laser engraving, metal inlay, and lens etch. We’ll suggest the method based on material, placement, and wear resistance.

Can you color‑match Pantone?

Yes. For acetates, we match with existing plates when possible. For injection, we match masterbatch to your Pantone or physical chip. Tolerance is reviewed under D65 light.

Do you provide packaging design?

We have dielines for boxes, sleeves, and labels. Your designer can drop artwork in, or our team can adapt your brand kit. See more on Custom Service.

What about barcodes and retail labels?

We print EAN/UPC from your GS1 data and test scanability before mass print. Region‑specific warnings and importer text are locked at T1 to avoid retailer portal rejections.

Lenses, Coatings & RX Options

Which lens materials do you offer?

PC (polycarbonate), TAC (tri‑acetate) for polarized, and nylon/PA for light weight and optics. CR‑39 is available for certain silhouettes. All sun lenses are UV400.

What about polarized, photochromic, and mirrors?

All three are available. Polarized is loved for driving and water; photochromic adds day‑to‑night utility; mirrors add style and glare control. We balance VLT, base tint, and mirror density so outdoor performance matches the look.

Can you make progressive prescription sunglasses?

Yes. Progressives are common in our RX line. On heavy wraps, we may suggest an RX insert or reduce base curve to control distortion. See Prescription Sunglasses.

 

Do you add backside AR and anti‑fog?

Backside AR is recommended to cut inner reflections. Anti‑fog is optional and works best with vented sports designs. We have validated coatings on cycling and ski projects.

Compliance, Quality Control & Audits

Do your sunglasses meet CE and FDA requirements?

Yes. We build to EN ISO 12312‑1 for the EU/UK and maintain FDA impact test records for the U.S. We prepare Declarations of Conformity, labels, and retailer file packs. Read more on Quality & Certification.

How do you manage quality during production?

Incoming checks for lenses and hardware, in‑process torque gates, and final AQL inspection. For department store programs, we tighten AQL for lens cosmetics and do carton drop tests.

What AQL do you use?

Standard is AQL 2.5 for major and 4.0 for minor; lens cosmetic can be tightened to 1.5 when a channel demands it. We align standards in the brief and share reports.

Can you work with third‑party labs?

Yes. We coordinate tests with accredited labs when required by retailers. We also share internal pre‑test data so you don’t test blind.

Lead Times, Shipping & Incoterms

What is the usual lead time?

Sampling: 1–3 weeks. Mass production: 35–50 days depending on material and finish. Add time for custom molds or peak season. We plan buffers up front to avoid rush fees.

Which Incoterms do you support?

EXW, FOB, CIF, and DDP for some regions via partners. If you’re new to freight, we can introduce forwarders and help with carton labels, ASN, and pallet plans.

Can you split shipments to multiple warehouses?

Yes. We pre‑kit by destination, print carton lists by warehouse, and coordinate with your 3PL for delivery windows.

What HS code should we use?

Common codes include 9004.10 for sunglasses and 9004.90 for parts/accessories. Check with your customs broker for the final determination in your market.

Pricing, Payment & After‑Sales

How do you quote prices?

We quote per style per color based on materials, finish, lens options, packaging, and order quantity. Shared components lower unit cost. We can show cost ladders so you see where the money goes.

What are your payment terms?

Typical: 30% deposit to start, balance before shipment. For repeat clients we can discuss alternative schedules. Bank transfer is standard; LC is possible for larger programs.

Do you offer warranty support?

Yes. We warranty manufacturing defects. We also stock selected spare parts for quick fixes in market—screws, nose pads, and temple replacements.

How do you handle defects or returns?

We define a DOA/defect rate threshold in the PO. Above that, we credit or replace in the next shipment. Photo evidence helps us trace root causes fast.

Sustainability & Social Compliance

Do you offer bio‑acetate and recycled packaging?

Yes. We supply bio‑acetates and can switch to recycled or FSC packaging on request. We share certificates and keep claims conservative and verifiable.

Can you pass retailer social audits?

We maintain systems aligned with major retailer requirements and can host third‑party audits. Share your audit protocol early so we schedule it without delaying MP.

Reorders, Color Consistency & Scaling

How fast can we reorder?

We hold components on fast movers when the forecast is clear. Reorders often ship faster than first runs because artwork and tests are locked.

Will colors match across batches?

We keep retain samples and color standards. For acetate, slight variation is normal, and we control it with pre‑production checks under D65 light.

Will colors match across batches?

Yes. We can extend a silhouette family with size or hinge variants. It’s a common path after a good first season.

IP, NDA & Exclusivity

Do you sign NDAs?

Yes. Most collaborations start with an NDA so your sketches, market plans, and pricing stay private.

 

Can we get exclusivity?

We define exclusivity by silhouette, finish, or region, tied to reasonable volume expectations. Clear scopes protect both sides.

Who owns the design?

If you commission a custom design and fund unique tooling, it’s yours. For catalog tweaks, we align rights in the PO and NDA.

Quick Reference — Handy Numbers

Topic Typical Range Notes
Wholesale eyewear MOQ 300–600 per style Or below with shared components
Sampling time 1–3 weeks T0/T1 cadence
Mass production 35–50 days Longer for complex metalwork
Lens VLT 8–18% (Cat 3) Balance style and function
Inspection AQL 2.5/4.0 Lens cosmetic can be 1.5

For a deeper dive on compliance, see Quality & Certification. For private label paths, visit Private Label Sunglasses and Sunglasses Manufacturer.

Still Have Questions?

Send your brief or even a mood board. We’ll map MOQs, timelines, and costs—and suggest the simplest path to launch.

Ask Us Anything