This guide breaks down both models across every decision factor — MOQ, cost, timeline, customization freedom, and which one fits your brand stage.
The Core Difference in One Sentence
Semi-Custom = customize an existing frame. Full Custom = create a new frame.
In Semi-Custom, you select a frame from the factory's existing library and customize the surface-level elements: colors, lenses, logos, temple tips, and packaging. The frame shape itself is fixed.
In Full Custom (also called Full OEM/ODM), you design a completely new frame. The factory develops custom molds from your CAD or reference, and the resulting frame shape belongs exclusively to you.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Semi-Custom | Full Custom (OEM/ODM) | |
|---|---|---|
| MOQ | 50-100 pcs per style | 300-500 pcs per style |
| Mold fee | $0 (existing molds) | $500-800 per mold |
| Sample time | 7 days | 14-21 days |
| Production time | 3-4 weeks | 6-8 weeks |
| Frame design | Fixed (from factory catalog) | Fully custom (your design) |
| What you can change | Colors, lenses, logos, packaging | Everything — shape, size, materials, hinges |
| Exclusivity | No — other brands can use the same frame | Yes — the mold is yours, the frame is yours alone |
| Per-unit cost | Moderate | Lower at scale |
| Upfront investment | Minimal | Higher (mold + larger order) |
| Best for | New brands, testing, seasonal drops | Established brands, exclusive lines |
Which One Fits Your Budget?
The answer depends on two questions: How much can you invest upfront? and Do you need the frame design to be exclusive?
Choose Semi-Custom if:
- Your budget is $2,000-8,000. At 50-100 pieces per style with no mold fees, you can launch a test collection without burning your capital.
- You are testing a market. Unsure whether cat-eye or round frames will sell in your market? Semi-Custom lets you test multiple styles with minimal risk.
- You want speed. 7-day sampling and 3-4 week production means you can go from decision to shelf in about 5-6 weeks.
- You don't need exclusivity. If your brand differentiates through color, lens, logo, and packaging — not frame shape — Semi-Custom gives you 80% of the brand feel at 30% of the cost.
Choose Full Custom if:
- Your budget is $10,000+. Mold development ($500-800 per mold, 4-6 molds per style) plus a 300-500 piece minimum order requires real capital.
- You have a proven design. You already know your best-selling frame shape and want it in your signature colorway.
- You need exclusivity. A competitor cannot copy your frame because the mold belongs to you.
- You are building brand equity. A proprietary silhouette is the strongest visual signal that you are a real brand, not a reseller.
- You are expanding an existing line. You have customers, you know what sells, and you can commit to larger volumes.
The Real Cost Breakdown
Here is what the two models actually cost at different order sizes:
| Order Size | Semi-Custom | Full Custom (OEM/ODM) |
|---|---|---|
| 100 pcs (1 style) | $1,500-3,000 | Not available (below MOQ) |
| 300 pcs (1 style) | $4,500-9,000 | $6,000-12,000 (includes mold cost) |
| 500 pcs (2 styles) | $7,500-15,000 | $10,000-20,000 (2 mold sets) |
| 1,000 pcs (3 styles) | $15,000-30,000 | $18,000-36,000 (3 mold sets) |
Ranges are estimates based on typical acetate frame production. Final pricing depends on materials, lens type, logo technique, and packaging.
The crossover point is around 300-500 pieces. Below that, Semi-Custom is almost always cheaper. Above that, Full Custom's lower per-unit cost starts to offset the mold investment — and you get exclusivity as a bonus.
What You Can Customize in Each Model
Semi-Custom — Surface-Level Only
| Can Customize | Cannot Change |
|---|---|
| Frame colors and patterns | Frame shape and dimensions |
| Lens type (polarized, UV400, tinted, photochromic) | Base mold structure |
| Logo placement and technique (pad print, laser, hot stamp, metal plate) | Material type (within the selected frame category) |
| Temple tip colors | Manufacturing process |
| Packaging — case, cloth, box, hangtag |
Full Custom — Everything
- Frame shape, silhouette, and dimensions
- Frame front thickness and temple design
- Material composition (acetate, metal, titanium, TR90, or combinations)
- Hinge type (3-barrel, 5-barrel, spring, custom)
- Bridge design and nose pad configuration
- Colors, patterns, and lens options
- Logo, engraving, and packaging — full brand treatment
The Decision Tree
How much can you invest upfront?
Under $8,000 → Semi-Custom
Over $10,000 → Do you need exclusive frame design?
- Yes → Full Custom (OEM/ODM)
- No → Semi-Custom at higher volume, or upgrade later
The Upgrade Path: Start Light, Go Full Later
Many of our best Full Custom clients started with Semi-Custom. The typical journey:
Stage 1 (Semi-Custom): Launch 2-3 styles, 50-100 pieces each. Test colors and designs. Learn what your market buys.
Stage 2 (Semi-Custom, scaled): Reorder your best sellers at 200-300 pieces. Establish a repeat customer base.
Stage 3 (Full Custom): When you know your hero style, invest in custom molds. The frame becomes your signature — no competitor can copy it.
This path spreads risk: you prove the market at low cost, then commit capital only to what already sells.
Common Questions
Can I switch from Semi-Custom to Full Custom later?
Yes — and this is the most common path. Your Semi-Custom sales data tells you exactly which frame shapes deserve custom molds.
Does Full Custom always mean higher cost?
Not at scale. Above 500 pieces, the per-unit cost of Full Custom often drops below Semi-Custom because you eliminate the factory's catalog royalties built into Semi-Custom pricing.
Can I use Semi-Custom to make samples for a Full Custom project?
Yes. A Semi-Custom sample in your target color lets you evaluate color and finish before committing to mold development.
What happens to my Semi-Custom frames if another brand uses the same base frame?
Because the frame is from a shared catalog, another brand could offer the same silhouette. Your differentiation comes from colors, lenses, logos, and packaging. If exclusivity matters, go Full Custom.
Get a free quote for Semi-Custom or Full Custom →
For full custom mold development with exclusive frame ownership, visit mellumeeyewear.com.