Every term you will hear when you work with a clothing manufacturer, explained in one line.
- Bulk order
- The full production run after the sample is approved.
- Chenille
- Raised, towel-like yarn patches used on varsity jackets and streetwear.
- CMT
- Cut, Make, Trim: the factory sews with fabric you supply.
- Colorway
- One color combination of a design.
- Cut and sew
- Garments made from fabric to your own pattern, instead of decorating ready-made blanks.
- DDP
- Delivered Duty Paid: the seller covers shipping and import duty to your door.
- DTF
- Direct to film: a printed transfer pressed on with heat; full color, small runs.
- Embroidery
- Logo stitched with thread; flat, 3D puff or chain stitch.
- FOB
- Free on board: price includes delivery to the export port; you pay freight onward.
- Grading
- Scaling a pattern to every size.
- GSM
- Grams per square meter: fabric weight (a heavyweight hoodie is around 400-500 GSM).
- Hang tag
- The branded card attached to a garment.
- HS code
- The customs number that decides the import duty rate of a product.
- Lead time
- Time from order confirmation to finished goods.
- MOQ
- Minimum order quantity per style or color.
- ODM
- The factory designs the product; you put your brand on it.
- OEM
- The factory makes your design to your specs.
- Pantone
- Standard color codes used to match fabric and print colors.
- Private label
- Products made by a factory and sold under your brand with your labels.
- Puff print
- Screen print ink that rises when heated, for a 3D feel.
- QC
- Quality control checks during and after production.
- Sample
- The first piece made to check fit, fabric and decoration before bulk.
- Screen print
- Ink pushed through a mesh stencil; great for larger runs.
- Sublimation
- Dye printed into polyester fabric; all-over prints that never crack.
- Tech pack
- The document with all specs: measurements, materials, artwork and labels.
- Trims
- Zippers, buttons, drawcords, labels and other components.
- White label
- Ready-made products rebranded with your label, little customization.
- Woven label
- A label woven from thread, sewn into the neck or side seam.
Next: how to make a tech pack, private label vs OEM vs ODM, what is MOQ.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between OEM, ODM and private label?
The factory makes your design to your specs. The factory designs the product; you put your brand on it. Products made by a factory and sold under your brand with your labels.
What does GSM mean in clothing?
Grams per square meter: fabric weight (a heavyweight hoodie is around 400-500 GSM).
What is MOQ in clothing manufacturing?
Minimum order quantity per style or color. At Dezo Industry it starts from 5 pieces per design.
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