Reference
Apparel and trade glossary
The terminology that appears on quotations, tech packs, inspection reports and shipping documents, defined in plain English.
Compliance
What does EORI Number mean in apparel manufacturing?
- An Economic Operators Registration and Identification number required to import commercial goods into the European Union or United Kingdom.
What does HS Code mean in apparel manufacturing?
- A Harmonised System code used by customs authorities worldwide to classify traded goods and determine duty rates. Chapter 61 covers knitted apparel, chapter 62 woven apparel.
Decoration
What does Sublimation mean in apparel manufacturing?
- A decoration process where dye is gassed into polyester fibres under heat, producing permanent, full-coverage graphics with no surface hand feel.
Fabric
What does GSM (Grams per Square Metre) mean in apparel manufacturing?
- The standard measure of fabric weight. Higher GSM generally means a denser, more opaque and warmer fabric.
What does Wicking mean in apparel manufacturing?
- The ability of a fabric to move moisture away from the skin to the outer surface, where it evaporates. A core property of performance polyester.
Logistics
What does Bill of Lading mean in apparel manufacturing?
- The transport document issued by a carrier that acts as a receipt for goods, evidence of the contract of carriage and, when negotiable, a document of title.
Manufacturing
What does CMT (Cut, Make, Trim) mean in apparel manufacturing?
- A manufacturing arrangement where the buyer supplies the fabric and trims and the factory charges only for cutting, sewing and finishing.
What does Lead Time mean in apparel manufacturing?
- The total elapsed time between order confirmation and goods being ready for shipment, typically 25-45 days for bulk apparel production.
What does MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) mean in apparel manufacturing?
- The smallest quantity a factory will produce for a given style, usually expressed per style per colour.
What does Private Label mean in apparel manufacturing?
- Manufacturing to a buyer's own specification and branding, using patterns and materials assigned to that buyer's programme.
What does White Label mean in apparel manufacturing?
- Applying a buyer's branding to a garment the factory already produces and stocks, with no change to the underlying product.
Product Development
What does Grading mean in apparel manufacturing?
- The process of scaling a base-size pattern up and down to create a full size range while maintaining proportion and fit.
What does Pantone (PMS) mean in apparel manufacturing?
- A standardised colour matching system used to specify and verify garment and print colours across suppliers.
What does Pre-Production Sample (PPS) mean in apparel manufacturing?
- The final sample made using bulk fabric, trims and branding, approved by the buyer before mass production begins.
What does Tech Pack mean in apparel manufacturing?
- The complete technical specification document for a garment, including sketches, bill of materials, measurements, construction details and branding placement.
Quality Control
What does AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit) mean in apparel manufacturing?
- A statistical sampling standard that defines the maximum percentage of defective units allowed in an inspection lot. AQL 2.5 for major defects is the most common apparel benchmark.
What does Tolerance mean in apparel manufacturing?
- The permitted deviation from a specified measurement, commonly plus or minus 1cm on major apparel dimensions.
Trade Terms
What does DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) mean in apparel manufacturing?
- An Incoterm where the seller bears all cost and risk of delivering the goods to the buyer's named destination, including import duties and clearance.
What does FOB (Free On Board) mean in apparel manufacturing?
- An Incoterm where the seller delivers goods loaded on the vessel at the named port of shipment and clears them for export; risk passes to the buyer at that point.
What does Proforma Invoice mean in apparel manufacturing?
- A preliminary bill of sale issued before shipment that states goods, quantities, prices, Incoterms and payment conditions.