Apparel Manufacturing Glossary
50+ apparel manufacturing terms explained: GSM, MOQ, FOB, CIF, DDP, tech pack, BOM, sublimation, screen print, DTG, French terry, chenille and more.
A complete reference of apparel manufacturing terms used at Mughal Apparel and across the global garment industry. Bookmark this page — we use these terms throughout our quotes, tech packs, contracts, and shipping documentation.
Key Capabilities
Frequently Asked Questions
GSM (Grams per Square Meter)
Fabric weight measurement. T-shirts: 140-200 GSM. Hoodies: 280-500 GSM. Heavier GSM = thicker, warmer, more premium feel. We recommend 180 GSM for tees, 380 GSM for premium hoodies.
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
The minimum number of pieces a factory will produce per style. Mughal Apparel MOQ is 50 pieces per style and color. China factories typically 500-1000+. The lower the MOQ, the better for indie brands.
Tech Pack
A detailed specification document for a garment: pattern, measurements, fabric, trims, colors, branding placement, packaging. The factory uses this to manufacture. Our team will create a tech pack with you if you do not have one.
BOM (Bill of Materials)
The complete list of every material in a garment: main fabric, lining, thread, zipper, buttons, drawstring, woven label, hangtag, polybag. Used for costing and procurement.
FOB (Free On Board)
Incoterm: factory delivers goods to the named export port (e.g. FOB Karachi). Buyer arranges shipping and pays sea/air freight. Most common B2B incoterm.
CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight)
Incoterm: factory pays cost, insurance, and freight to the buyer's named destination port. Buyer handles customs clearance and inland delivery.
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
Incoterm: factory delivers goods to the buyer's door with all duties, taxes, and customs paid. Most expensive but lowest hassle for the buyer.
EXW (Ex Works)
Incoterm: factory makes goods available at the factory door. Buyer arranges everything from there. Cheapest for the factory, most work for the buyer.
French Terry
Knit fabric with loops on one side, smooth on the other. Common for hoodies and joggers. 280-380 GSM is the standard hoodie weight range.
Loopback Fleece
A type of French Terry — slightly more structured. Premium hoodie weight (320-420 GSM) often uses loopback fleece for that "luxury heavy" hand-feel.
Brushed Back Fleece
Fleece fabric where the inside has been mechanically brushed for softness and warmth. Standard for cold-weather hoodies and sweatshirts.
Sublimation Print
All-over print process using heat-transferred dye. Works only on polyester or polyester-blend fabrics. Ideal for sports jerseys and athletic wear.
Screen Print (Plastisol)
Most common apparel print method. Uses plastisol ink pushed through a mesh screen. Vivid, opaque, durable. Best for solid color graphics on cotton or blends.
DTG (Direct to Garment)
Inkjet printing directly onto fabric. Best for short-run, photo-quality graphics. Cost-effective at 1-100 pieces; not economical for high volumes.
3D Puff Print
Screen print with raised foam-filled effect. Common on premium streetwear hoodies for logos and statement graphics.
Chenille Patch
Tufted-yarn embroidered patch (varsity-style). Premium look. Common on letterman jackets and varsity hoodies.
Embroidery (Flat 2D)
Standard machine embroidery — thread stitched directly into fabric. Premium professional look. Common for logos, names, monograms.
Embroidery (3D Puff)
Embroidery with foam underlay for raised effect. Common on caps and premium hoodies.
HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl)
Pre-cut vinyl applied to fabric with heat. Cost-effective for short-run names and numbers (e.g. team jerseys). Less durable than screen print over many washes.
Pantone Color Matching
The industry standard for specifying exact colors. Use Pantone TPX, TCX, or PMS codes when ordering. We can match any Pantone color in dye, ink, or thread.
Lab Dip
A small fabric swatch dyed to your target Pantone for approval before bulk dyeing. Usually 7-10 days. Critical for color-sensitive brands.
Sample (Pre-Production / PP)
A garment manufactured before bulk to confirm fit, fabric, color, branding, and packaging. We typically run 1-2 samples per style. Sample lead time 5-7 days.
Bulk Production
Full-scale manufacturing after sample approval. Typically 30-45 days for orders up to 1,000 pieces. Larger orders take longer; rush production available at premium.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100
A globally recognized fabric safety certification. Tests every component (thread, zipper, button) for harmful chemicals. EU REACH compliant. Mughal Apparel is OEKO-TEX certified.
BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative)
Ethical sourcing audit covering wages, working hours, child labor, health and safety. Mughal Apparel is BSCI audited.
ISO 9001:2015
International quality management system standard. Mughal Apparel is ISO 9001 certified.
GSP+ (Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus)
EU trade preference giving Pakistan-origin goods 0% import duty on most apparel HS codes. Critical cost advantage for EU-bound shipments.
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