Apparel Glossary
515 terms · 16 topics
Apparel has a vocabulary of its own. Singles and slub. Ring-spun and open-end. Coverstitch, side-seamed, garment-dyed. This glossary defines 515 terms across fabrics, knits, construction, and decoration methods — written for the people who put ink, thread, and film on cloth. Each entry is plain, specific, and short, so a spec sheet stops being a puzzle. Read one term or read them all. Either way, you will choose better blanks.
Art & Prepress
Art ProofArtwork ApprovalBleedColor MatchingColor SeparationsConvert to OutlinesEPS FileGradientIndex SeparationJPEG FileKnockoutLPI (Lines Per Inch)MockupMoiréPantone Matching System (PMS)PDFPixelationPNG FilePre-Production SamplePrint-Ready ArtworkRaster ArtworkResolutionRGBSafe AreaSVG FileTransparent BackgroundTrappingVector ArtworkVectorization
Business & Ordering
BackorderBlanksBlind shippingCase quantityContract printingCustomer-supplied garmentsCut and sewDigital proofDigitizing feeDropshippingFulfillmentGang runIn-hands dateKittingLess-than-minimum (LTM) feeMinimum order quantity (MOQ)Neck label printingOvers and undersPer-color pricingPer-location pricingPrice breakPrint locationPrivate labelRelabelingRush orderSetup feeSize runSize upchargeTearaway tagTech packTurnaround timeWhite labelWholesale blanks
Digital Printing
All-Over Print (AOP)CMYKCold PeelColor GamutDPI (Dots Per Inch)DTF (Direct-to-Film) PrintingDTF Adhesive Powder (Hot-Melt)DTF TransfersDTG (Direct-to-Garment) PrintingDwell TimeDye SublimationFull BleedGang SheetHeat PressHot PeelHybrid PrintingICC ProfilePET FilmPigment InkPretreatmentPretreatment MarksPrint on DemandPuff DTFRIP SoftwareSublimation BlankSublimation PaperUV DTFWash FastnessWhite Underbase
Dyeing & Washes
Acid WashBatikBleach Wash (Reverse Tie-Dye)BleedingColorfastnessDip dyeDirect dyeDye blockerDye lotEnzyme WashGarment dyeGarment washIce dyeMarble WashMarledMineral WashNatural dyeOmbréOptical brightenerOverdyeingPFD (prepared for dye)Piece-dyedPigment dyeReactive dyeResist DyeingSand WashShiboriSilicone WashSolution-dyedSpace-dyedStone WashTie-dyeVat dyeVintage WashYarn-dyed
Embroidery
3D puff embroideryAppliquéBean stitchBobbin threadCap frameChenille embroideryCutaway backingDST fileEmbroidered patchEmbroidery backingEmbroidery digitizingFill stitchFlat embroideryHoop marksHoopingJump stitchLeft chest placementLock stitchMerrowed edgeMetallic threadMonogrammingPolyester threadPuckeringPush and pull compensationRayon threadRunning stitchSatin stitchSew-outStitch countStitch densityTackle twillTape chargeTearaway backingThread weightTone-on-tone embroideryUnderlayWater-soluble topping
Fabrics & Materials
AcrylicBamboo ViscoseBurnout FabricCanvas (Duck Cloth)Combed CottonCVC (Chief Value Cotton)FleeceFrench TerryHeather FabricHemp FabricInterlock KnitJersey KnitLinenLyocellMerino WoolMeshModalMoisture-Wicking FabricNylonOpen-End (Carded) CottonOrganic CottonOxford ClothPima CottonPiquéPoly-Cotton Blend (50/50)PolyesterPoplinRayon (Viscose)Recycled Polyester (rPET)Rib KnitRingspun CottonSingles (Yarn Count)Slub CottonSpandex (Elastane)Tri-BlendTwillWaffle Knit (Thermal)
Finishing & Care
Anti-PillingAnti-Static FinishAntimicrobial FinishBio-PolishingBrushed FinishCare SymbolsCompactingDimensional StabilityDo Not Iron DecorationDurable Water Repellent (DWR)Flame-Resistant (FR) FinishGarment-WashedHang DryMachine Wash ColdMercerizationOdor-ResistantPeached FinishPreshrunkQuick-DryResidual ShrinkageSanforizedSilicone FinishSingeingSnag ResistanceSpirality (Torque)Stain ReleaseTearaway LabelTumble Dry LowUPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor)Wash Inside OutWrinkle Resistance
Fits & Silhouettes
Athletic FitBaseball TeeBig & TallBoxy FitBoyfriend FitCap SleeveClassic FitCompression FitCrop TopDolman SleeveDrop ShoulderFlowy FitHigh-Low HemJunior FitLadies' FitLongline TeeMissy FitMuscle TeeOversized FitPlus SizeRacerbackRelaxed FitRetail FitRinger TeeSemi-FittedSide-Seamed ConstructionSlim FitTall SizesTank TopThree-Quarter SleeveTrue to SizeUnisex Fit
Garment Construction
Bar TackCare LabelChain StitchCoverstitchCurved Hem (Shirttail Hem)Double-Needle StitchingDrawcordFlat-Felled SeamFlatlock SeamGrommet (Eyelet)GussetKangaroo PocketLined Hood (Two-Ply Hood)Locker Patch (Half-Moon Patch)Mitered V-NeckNeck Binding (Self-Fabric Binding)Overlock Stitch (Serging)PlacketRaglan SleeveRibbed CollarRibbed CuffsRibbed WaistbandSeam AllowanceSeamless CollarSet-In SleeveSide Vents (Split Hem)Side-Seamed ConstructionStitches Per Inch (SPI)Tagless LabelTaped Neck (Shoulder-to-Shoulder Taping)Tear-Away LabelTopstitchingTorque (Garment Twist)Tubular ConstructionTwill TapeWoven LabelYoke
Heat Transfer
Application TemperatureCarrier SheetClamshell Heat PressCover SheetFlock HTVFoil TransferGlitter HTVHeat Press PillowHeat Press PressureHeat Transfer LabelHeat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)Heat-Resistant TapeHolographic HTVHot Split TransferHotfix RhinestonesLayering (HTV)Low-Temperature TransferMetallic HTVMirroringPlastisol TransferPre-PressingPress MarksPrintable HTVPuff VinylReflective Heat TransferRhinestone TransferScorchingSpangle TransferSS (Stone Size)Swing-Away Heat PressWeeding
Inks & Chemistry
Blocker Base (Barrier Base)CrockingCurable ReducerCure TemperatureDischarge Agent (Activator)Discharge InkEco-Friendly InkExtender BaseFluorescent (Neon) InkHand (Hand Feel)High Solids Acrylic (HSA) InkInk OpacityNylon Catalyst (Bonding Agent)Phthalate-Free InkPigmentPlasticizerPuff Additive (Puff Ink)PVC-Free InkReflective InkSilicone InkSoftener AdditiveStretch AdditiveThermochromic (Color-Changing) InkUnder-CuringViscosity
Knits & Weaves
Necklines & Collars
Boat neckBound neckline (self-binding)Cadet collarCamp collarCollar standCoverstitched collarCowl neckCrew neckDeep V-neckDouble-lined hoodFlat-knit collarFull-zip hoodieFunnel neckHalf-zipHenleyJohnny collarMandarin collar (band collar)Mock neckNeckbandPolo collarPullover hoodieQuarter-zipRinger collarScoop neckScuba hoodSelf-fabric collarTear-away tag (tagless)Three-panel hoodTurtleneckV-neckV-notch (V-insert)Zipper garage (chin guard)
Screen Printing
Burning a ScreenColor SeparationConveyor DryerCuringDischarge PrintingDistressed PrintDot GainDye MigrationEmulsionFibrillationFilm PositiveFlash CureFoil PrintingFour-Color Process (CMYK)GhostingGlitter InkGlow-in-the-Dark InkHalftoneHigh-Density InkLow-Bleed InkMesh CountMetallic InkPlastisol InkPlatenPuff InkRegistrationScreen ChargeScreen PrintingScreen ReclaimingSimulated ProcessSoft HandSpot ColorSqueegeeUnderbaseVector ArtWater-Based InkWet-on-Wet Printing
Sizing & Measurement
Body lengthChest width (half chest)Extended SizesFabric weightFlat measurementFull Back PrintFull Front PrintGarment measurementsGSM (grams per square meter)Heavyweight t-shirtHigh point shoulder (HPS)Imprint areaInfant and Toddler SizesLeft chest printLightweight t-shirtMeasurement toleranceMidweight t-shirtOunces per square yard (oz/yd²)Oversized PrintPocket PrintPrint placementShrinkageSize chartSize gradingSleeve lengthSleeve PrintSpec sheetUnisex SizingWomen's Fit SizingYarn countYouth Sizes
Sustainability & Certifications
Azo-Free DyesB Corp CertificationBetter Cotton (BCI)bluesignCarbon FootprintCarbon OffsetsCarbon-Neutral ApparelCircular FashionClosed-Loop RecyclingDeadstock FabricFair Trade CertifiedFair Wear FoundationGlobal Recycled Standard (GRS)GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)GreenwashingHemp FabricHigg IndexLife Cycle Assessment (LCA)Living WageLow-Impact DyesOEKO-TEX Standard 100Organic Content Standard (OCS)Phthalate-Free InksPost-Consumer Recycled ContentPre-Consumer (Post-Industrial) Recycled ContentRecycled Claim Standard (RCS)Recycled CottonRegenerative CottonSA8000Supply Chain TransparencySweatshop-FreeTraceabilityWater-Based InksWRAP Certification