Learn garment industry jargon and production terms. Deepwear helps fashion brands decode GSM, MOQ, CMT, and AQL to scale with clarity and compliance.
The fashion and garment industry speaks a language of abbreviations, technical terms, and shorthand. From GSM to MOQ, CMT to AQL, these codes exist for speed, clarity, and consistency—but they can feel like a foreign language if you’re a new brand or have a vision but don’t yet know the industry insiders.
Understanding these garment production terminology essentials is critical. Misinterpreting just one abbreviation might lead to the wrong fabric, missed shipping windows, or unexpected costs. At Deepwear, we help translate shorthand into clear, actionable decisions by bridging factory language expertise and local production practices.
In this guide, we cover:
- Fabric & Material Terms – shorthand that communicates weight, blends, and performance.
- Production & Process Terms – abbreviations and standards to manage timelines and orders.
- Testing & Quality Terms – ensuring compliance and quality.
- Garment Construction & Costing Terms – technical shorthand for efficiency and accurate costing.
- Sourcing and Sustainability Terms – ethical and eco-conscious sourcing for modern brands.
- Why Deepwear’s factory language expertise matters for scaling with confidence.
Why the Garment Industry Uses Jargon
Abbreviations like GSM, MOQ, and BOM exist for three main reasons:
- Speed – they reduce long explanations.
- Clarity – everyone understands the same meaning across teams and borders.
- Consistency – they standardize expectations around fashion production costs, quality, and timelines.
For new brands, mastering this shorthand can help avoid costly mistakes and make communication with factories, suppliers, and sourcing partners smoother. We can guide brands to use this language confidently while making decisions that align with their vision.
Fabric & Material Terms
Before choosing fabrics for a collection, understanding what shorthand codes communicate about weight, blend, and performance can prevent costly errors and wasted materials.
- GSM (Grams per Square Meter): Indicates fabric weight, influencing thickness and drape.
- CVC (Chief Value Cotton): Cotton-dominant blended fabric with polyester for durability.
- PC (Polyester Cotton): Polyester-cotton blend balancing softness, strength, and care.
- TR (Terylene Rayon): Synthetic-natural fiber blend with specific handfeel and stretch.
- CMiA (Cotton Made in Africa): Ethical cotton sourcing initiative.
- GRS (Global Recycled Standard): Certification for recycled fibers.
- DTY (Drawn Textured Yarn): Yarn used for stretchable knits and textured fabrics.
- Lenzing Modal: Semi-synthetic fiber known for softness and drape.
- Ring-Spun Cotton: Softer, stronger cotton yarn produced by twisting fibers.
- Selvage: Edge of fabric preventing unraveling; indicates high-quality production.
Consider this: A brand requests lightweight summer T-shirts but doesn’t specify GSM. The factory might send 220 GSM samples—heavy and more suited for winter. Weeks could be lost correcting the order. In such cases, we can align GSM with the intended use from the start, advising on fabric blends like CVC or TR to match softness, durability, and care requirements for the collection’s target market.
Learn more about matching fabrics to function in our Knit Fabric Guide.
Production & Process Terms
Once fabrics are selected, understanding production shorthand helps plan timelines, orders, and shipping efficiently.
- CMT (Cut, Make & Trim): Basic production covering cutting, sewing, and trimming.
- FOB (Free on Board): Price covers delivery to port only; shipping costs extra.
- MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity): Smallest batch a factory will produce.
- T&A (Time & Action Plan): Production schedule and milestones.
- PP (Pre-Production): Sample approval stage before bulk production.
- PO (Purchase Order): Official order confirmation sent to the factory.
- WPL (Wholesale Price List): Factory’s baseline pricing for bulk orders.
- Lead Time: Duration from order confirmation to finished product delivery.
- Proto Sample: Initial prototype for testing fit, fabric, and design.
- Sales Sample: Approved sample used for marketing, buyer approvals, or retail previews.
For example, a brand agrees to a price without realizing that FOB only covers delivery to the port. Unexpected shipping costs could appear, impacting budget. We can clarify contract terms upfront, helping brands understand all cost components before committing.
Imagine a scenario where a brand overlooks the T&A plan, delaying sample approvals and bulk production. We can build realistic T&A calendars, coordinating design, sampling, and production with marketing and sales timelines. Additionally, we can advise on PO management, lead times, and sample stages to keep launches on track.
Need help planning your production? Explore our Sampling & Production Guide.
Testing & Quality Terms
Maintaining quality protects both the brand and its customers. Understanding testing shorthand prevents defects and compliance issues.
- QC (Quality Control): Inspection to verify finished products meet specifications.
- QA (Quality Assurance): Systematic measures to prevent defects during production.
- AQL (Acceptance Quality Limit): Maximum allowable defects per batch.
- ISO (International Organization for Standardization): Global quality standards.
- ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials): US textile testing protocols.
- GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard): Certification for organic fibers.
- OEKO-TEX: International standard for safe, non-toxic textiles.
- Lab Test: Technical testing for strength, colorfastness, shrinkage, etc.
- On-Site Inspection: Factory-based check before shipment to prevent costly defects.
For instance, a bulk shipment of children’s clothing exported to the US might be held at customs if ASTM testing is missing. We can coordinate compliance with ISO, ASTM, and GOTS standards, scheduling lab tests and on-site inspections so products pass regulatory checks and maintain consistent quality.
Check out our Inspection vs. Testing Guide to understand when each method is best for your brand.
Garment Construction & Costing Terms
Technical shorthand ensures accurate costing, production efficiency, and design fidelity:
- BOM (Bill of Materials): List of all components (fabric, trims, labels) used in production.
- SMV (Standard Minute Value): Time it takes to produce one garment; used in costing.
- SPI (Stitches Per Inch): Stitch density impacting quality and durability.
- CAD (Computer-Aided Design): Digital design files for pattern making and tech packs.
- Placket: Fabric strip where buttons or snaps are sewn.
- Interfacing: Material used to stabilize fabric in collars, cuffs, or waistbands.
- Trim: Buttons, zippers, ribbons, or decorative details.
- Tech Pack: Document containing all garment specs, materials, and measurements.
Imagine a situation where a designer provides CAD sketches but leaves out the BOM. The factory might use cheaper trims, producing inaccurate samples and incorrect costing. We can review and create a full BOM, ensuring costing reflects design intent.
Suppose unrealistic SMV or SPI data is used; production could face delays or hidden overtime costs. We can validate these metrics, helping brands get accurate production quotes and avoid unexpected costs.
Sourcing & Sustainability Terms
Modern brands often prioritize ethical, sustainable, and cost-conscious production:
- Eco-Vegan Leather: Plant-based leather alternatives.
- Organic Cotton: Cotton grown without synthetic chemicals.
- Upcycled Fabric: Material repurposed from waste or old garments.
- CMiA (Cotton Made in Africa): Supports ethical cotton production.
- GRS (Global Recycled Standard): Certification for recycled textiles.
- Sustainable Fabric Sourcing: Procurement strategy prioritizing environmental and social responsibility.
For example, a brand may want to position itself as eco-conscious but lack knowledge of sustainable options. We can guide the brand to source fabrics that reflect their values, comply with regulations, and support ethical production practices.
Explore sustainable sourcing strategies in our Eco-Friendly Fabrics Guide.
Why “We Speak the Factory Language” Matters
Factories operate in local languages and follow region-specific cultural norms—updates can come in Portuguese, Vietnamese, Turkish, or Hindi. At Deepwear, we actively interpret technical shorthand and local context across 17 countries, ensuring brands avoid errors, prevent delays, and keep production fully aligned with their vision.
By mastering garment production terminology and apparel manufacturing glossary terms, fashion brands can negotiate smarter, cut hidden costs, and build credibility with suppliers.
With Deepwear by your side before, during, and after production, we negotiate favorable terms, oversee operations on-site, monitor quality at every stage, and report progress or issues directly to you. This hands-on approach gives brands clarity, control, and confidence, turning complex production processes into a smooth, transparent journey.
What Are the Most Important Garment Industry Terms for Fashion Brands in 2025?
They include GSM (fabric weight), MOQ (minimum order quantity), CMT (production model), and AQL quality control. Mastering these prevents costly errors in sourcing and compliance terms. Deepwear guides brands by translating jargon into clear, actionable strategies.
Ready to decode garment industry jargon and manage production with clarity? Book a strategy session with Deepwear’s global consultants or explore our sourcing and compliance guides today.