Appliqué
A fabric shape attached to a garment and secured with stitching to create a layered logo or decorative element.
Apparel terms explained
Custom Clothing Glossary
Clear definitions for the materials, construction, printing, sampling and quality-control language used in custom apparel manufacturing.
Use the same production language
A clearer brief starts with clearer terms.
Use this glossary when preparing a tech pack, comparing decoration methods, reviewing a sample or discussing bulk production with our Sialkot factory team.
Artwork placement
The approved position and dimensions of a logo, number, name or graphic on a garment panel.
Bulk production
The manufacturing stage that begins after the product specification, artwork and required sample approvals are complete.
Care label
A garment label showing material composition, care instructions, country of origin and other required information.
Colorfastness
A material or print's resistance to color loss, bleeding or transfer during washing, rubbing, light exposure or perspiration.
Cut and sew
Manufacturing garments from fabric panels that are cut to patterns and assembled, rather than decorating a ready-made blank.
Dye sublimation
A heat-transfer process that turns dye into gas and bonds it with suitable polyester fibers for detailed, durable graphics.
DTF printing
Direct-to-film printing: artwork is printed onto transfer film and heat-applied to a compatible garment.
DTG printing
Direct-to-garment printing: ink is printed directly onto a prepared garment, often for detailed cotton-based graphics.
Embroidery digitizing
Converting artwork into stitch instructions that control stitch type, direction, density, sequence and thread colors.
Fabric composition
The fibers and percentages used in a textile, such as cotton, polyester, elastane or a blend.
Fabric GSM
Grams per square metre, a standard measurement used to describe fabric weight rather than fabric quality by itself.
Flatlock seam
A low-profile seam construction commonly considered for stretch and activewear where reduced bulk may improve comfort.
Grading
Creating additional garment sizes from an approved base pattern using defined measurement rules.
Hand feel
The perceived softness, smoothness, weight, flexibility and surface character of a fabric or finished garment.
Heat-transfer vinyl
Colored film cut into artwork and applied with controlled heat and pressure, often for names and player numbers.
High-density print
A raised screen-print effect created through specialized screens, ink deposits and curing control.
MOQ
Minimum order quantity: the smallest production quantity accepted for a defined product, design or colorway.
Pantone reference
A standardized color code used to communicate a target color more clearly across artwork, fabric and trims.
Pattern
The shaped template for each garment panel, developed from measurements, fit and construction requirements.
Pilling
Small fiber balls that can form on a textile surface through wear and friction.
Pre-production sample
A sample made from production-representative materials and details to confirm the approved direction before bulk manufacturing.
Private label
Products manufactured for another brand using that buyer's identity, labels, packaging and approved specifications.
Puff printing
A screen-print effect containing an expanding additive that creates a raised surface during curing.
Rib
A knitted trim or fabric structure commonly used at collars, cuffs and waistbands for stretch and recovery.
Screen printing
Ink transferred through a prepared mesh screen onto a garment or panel, usually one color layer at a time.
Seam allowance
The fabric between a stitch line and the cut edge of a pattern piece.
Shrinkage
A change in garment or fabric dimensions after washing, drying, heat processing or finishing.
Size tolerance
The agreed acceptable measurement variation between the approved specification and a finished garment.
Spec sheet
A document recording materials, measurements, construction, colors, artwork, labels and other product requirements.
Tech pack
A detailed production document that communicates the garment design, measurements, construction, materials, artwork and labeling.
Tie dye
A resist-dye method that creates color patterns through folding, binding or controlled application; exact placement naturally varies.
Trims
Non-fabric components such as zippers, drawcords, snaps, elastic, eyelets, patches and labels.
Underbase
A base ink layer, often white, printed beneath colors to improve visibility on dark garments.
Wash test
A controlled evaluation of dimensional stability, appearance, color, print adhesion and construction after laundering.
Wicking
The movement of moisture through or across a textile to support evaporation away from the skin.
Woven label
A brand or information label produced by weaving threads into the required design rather than printing the surface.