Apparel production is an intimidating industry to dive into. One of the toughest obstacles is learning the lingo. To help you out, we’ve compiled the ultimate glossary of apparel design and manufacturing terminology. Use this as your go-to guide so you can focus on more important things like building your brand, connecting with suppliers, or expanding your product line!
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Top 15 Terms To Know on Apparel Manufacturing
You can browse the full list, but be sure to know the 15 key terms listed below!
1. CUT AND SEW |
Knit fabrics that are laid out and cut like woven fabric, instead of being full-fashioned |
2. CAD |
Computer Aided Design: used as a conceptual tool to design and develop products |
3. FLAT SKETCHES |
Technical sketch of a product as if it were laying flat- includes stitching & seaming details |
4. FULL-FASHIONED |
Knit garments that have been shaped on a flat knitting machine |
5. GRADING |
Proportionately increasing or decreasing the dimensions of parts of a product according to the size ranges intended for production. |
6. KNIT |
Fabric created by interlocking loops of yarn |
7. MARKER |
A full-scale diagram, usually on paper, indicating the most fabric conscience placement for all the graded pattern pieces in a garment. Â Used in the fabric cutting process for production. |
8. MINIMUMS |
The minimum quantity that a vendor requires in order to contract their goods or services. |
9. PATTERN |
A paper or computer model for each piece of a product. Â Used as a guide to construct a product. |
10. PROTOTYPE |
A full size working model of a new product or new version of an existing product used as a basis for later production stages. |
11. PURCHASE ORDER (PO) |
A legal, binding contract between a buyer and a supplier. |
12. SOURCING |
Process of obtaining goods and/or services from a manufacturer either domestically or globally. |
13. TECHNICAL SPEC PACKAGING (TECH PACK) |
Includes all the information to communicate to a vendor how to produce a product (size, fabrication, quality standards, etc.) |
14. WOVEN |
Fabric composed of two yarns running in perpendicular directions woven together |
15. FABRIC CONSTRUCTION |
The specific base construction of a fabric: (knit, woven, or non-woven), type of structure and size/weight. |
The Complete Glossary on Apparel Manufacturing
ACRYLIC |
Generic name for man made fibers |
BAR TACK |
Group of stitches used to reinforce specific areas on a garment. |
BINDING |
Edge finishing, where a strip of fabric incases an edge |
BLIND HEM |
A machine or hand stitch where the hem is almost invisible from the face side of the fabric. |
CAD |
Computer Aided Design- used as a conceptual tool to design and develop products |
CALL OUT |
Special note about a garment structure, finishing, etc… |
CAP SLEEVE |
Sleeve that falls midway between shoulder and bicep |
CARE INSTRUCTIONS |
A series of directions describing which care practices should used to care for a product. |
CASING |
enclosed tunnel-usually meant for a drawstring |
CB |
Center Back |
CF |
Center Front |
CIRCULAR KNIT |
Refers to fabrics knit on a circular knitting machine.. A circular knitting machine may be used to produce seamless garments like hosiery. |
COVERSTITCH |
Adds stability to seams and finishes raw edges on inside of garment |
CROQUIS |
Quick sketch of a design on a model |
CUT AND SEW |
Knit fabrics that are laid out and cut like a woven fabric, instead of being full-fashioned |
Dart |
The removal of fabric for a garment to create shaping. |
DENIER |
The weight/strength measurement of filament yarns and fibers |
DTM |
Dyed To Match |
EASE |
The amount of extra “room” included in the garment for purposes of comfort, movement or appearance. |
ENZYME WASH |
A fabric washing process that softens the hand of fabric and wears down the color |
FABRIC CONSTRUCTION |
The specific base construction of a fabric: (knit, woven, or non-woven), type of structure and size/weight. |
FABRIC CONTENT |
The percentage breakdown of fabric fiber contents |
FABRIC DYED |
Fabric is dyed after being woven or knit |
FABRIC YIELD |
Amount of fabric used to cut one product, or trim. |
FACING |
Extra layer of material sewn to the inside of a garment for strength and/or edge finishing |
FIT MODEL |
An individual whose general body measurements reflect the sample size of product. |
FLAT SKETCHES |
Technical sketch of a product as if it were lying flat- includes stitching & seaming details |
FLATLOCK |
seaming method to get the flattest seam- panels are run though a flatlock machine and stitched together edge to edge |
FULL-FASHIONED |
Knit garments that have been shaped on a flat knitting machine |
GARMENT-DYED |
Garment is Dyed after being constructed |
GARMENT-WASHED |
Garment is washed after being constructed to cut down on shrinkage & add softness |
GRADING |
Proportionately increasing or decreasing the dimensions of parts of a product according to the size ranges intended for production. |
HARD GOOD |
Goods that are not consumed or destroyed in use and can be used for a period of time |
HPS |
High Point Shoulder-imaginary horizontal line across the highest shoulder point of a garment- used to find drop and placement |
INTERFACING |
Material used to stiffen/strengthen a fabric. Â Usually sandwiched between two fabrics. |
INTERLINING |
An extra fabric enclosed between a main fabric and lining providing additional weight or warmth. |
ISO STITCHING |
International standard of stitches categorized by numbers |
JERSEY KNIT |
Single knit fabric, with a distinct smooth side and rough side |
KANGAROO POCKET |
Single front patch pocket with openings at both sides |
KNIT |
Fabric created by interlocking loops of yarn |
LAB DIPS |
Color swatches sent to a customer by the dyer or printer for approval |
LAP-SEAM |
Seaming with one panel overlapping on top of the other panel |
LIGNE |
Category of numbers which represents the diameter/size of a button |
LINE SHEETS |
1 sheet of paper with designs images and information. Â Used a quick reference of product for buyers. |
LINING |
A protective layer of fabric in the inside of a garment |
LS |
Long Sleeve |
MARKER |
A full-scale diagram, usually on paper, indicating the most fabric conscience placement for all the graded pattern pieces in a garment. Â Used in the fabric cutting process for production. |
MINIMUMS |
The minimum quantity that a vendor requires in order to contract their goods or services. |
NECK TAPE |
Protective band of tape or fabric sewn at the inside of a neck seam for a more comfortable feel to the garment |
NEEDLE SPACING |
distance between needles on the same stitch |
PACKING LIST |
A list prepared by the shipper that lists the quantity and kinds of items being shipped |
PATCH POCKET |
Pocket added to a garment |
PATTERN |
A paper or computer model for each piece of a product. Â Used as a guide to construct a product. |
POM |
Point of Measure-used to communicate the exact place to measure a garment |
PP |
Pre-Production-sample(s) before the production process begins |
PRESENTATION BOARD |
A representation of a product line together. Â Can be in color ways or with trim/fabric swatches included. |
PROTOTYPE |
A full size working model of a new product or new version of an existing product used as a basis for later production stages. |
PURCHASE ORDER |
A legal, binding contract between a buyer and a supplier. |
RAGLAN SLEEVE |
Sleeve that runs from collar to hem for ease of movement |
RAW EDGE |
Cut edge without any finishing |
RIB KNIT |
Stretchy knit fabric that appears the same on both sides. Â More stetch than a jersey knit |
SALES SAMPLE |
An exact replica of what will be purchased and shipped to retailers. |
SET IN SLEEVE |
Sleeve that runs from the shoulder to hem |
SIZE RUN |
Pre-production samples that are used to check the accuracy of all sizes to be produced in an order |
SOFT GOOD |
Textile and Clothing Products |
SOURCING |
Process of obtaining goods and/or services from a manufacturer either domestically or globally. |
SPI |
Stitches Per Inch: Declares the length of stitches by how many stitches are in an inch |
SS |
Short Sleeve |
SWEEP |
The bottom edge of garment around the whole body |
TOP |
Top of Production: The first units completed off the sewing/production line that are used for quality check. |
TOPSTITCHING |
Stitching that shows on the face side of fabric either for structural or aesthetic reasons. |
TRIM |
Material used for decoration or extra function of a product |
UNDERSTITCHING |
Stitching that appears on the underside of a garment that causes the top fabric to roll slightly over and hide the seam edge. |
WB |
Waistband |
WEARERS LEFT |
The left side of a garment from the wearers point of view |
WEARERS RIGHT |
The right side of a garment from the wearers point of view |
WOVEN |
Fabric composed of two yarns running in perpendicular directions woven together |
YARN DYED |
Threads or yarns are dyed before woven or knit (ex. pleated, check, stripe) |
YOKE |
Fitted part of a garment—usually at the top of a garment (shoulder/hip) |
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