Clothing Manufacturing Glossary | B2B Apparel Terms Explained

Ready One has compiled this clothing manufacturing glossary for brand owners, sourcing managers, and startup founders navigating B2B apparel production for the first time. Every term below is used daily in factory communications, tech packs, shipping documents, and quality control reports.

Bookmark this page. When a supplier uses a term you do not recognise, the answer is here.

A

AQL (Acceptable Quality Level)

The internationally recognised statistical standard that defines the maximum acceptable defect rate in a production batch before it is rejected. AQL 2.5 — the standard used by Ready One and most major global retailers — means a maximum of 2.5% minor defects in the inspection sample. Major defects have zero tolerance at any AQL level. See how Ready One applies AQL 2.5 in its garment quality control process.

ATW (All-The-Way)

A pricing model where the manufacturer quotes a single per-unit price covering all production stages — fabric, cut, sew, trim, and finishing. ATW pricing simplifies cost comparison between factories.

B

Bartack

A dense zigzag stitch applied at stress points on a garment — pocket corners, zip ends, belt loops, and drawcord exits. Bartacking prevents tearing at high-stress construction points and is a standard quality indicator on well-made garments.

BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative)

An internationally recognised social compliance audit framework used by European and North American brands to verify ethical manufacturing conditions. BSCI audits cover 13 chapters including wages, working hours, health and safety, and child labour prevention. Ready One’s most recent BSCI audit score is 9.5/10 (01/02/2026). Full details on Ready One’s certified clothing manufacturer credentials page.

Bulk Production

The full production run following sample approval and client sign-off. Bulk production at Ready One takes 15–30 working days depending on order volume, and includes inline QC checks and a final AQL 2.5 pre-shipment inspection. Learn more about Ready One’s apparel manufacturing capabilities.

C

CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight)

A shipping incoterm where the seller is responsible for costs, insurance, and freight to the destination port. The buyer is responsible for import duties and delivery from port to their address. Compare with DDP — the preferred incoterm for Ready One clients.

CMT (Cut, Make, Trim)

A manufacturing model where the buyer supplies all fabric and trims, and the factory charges only for the labour of cutting, sewing, and finishing. CMT is less common in B2B apparel — most brands prefer FPP or OEM arrangements where the factory handles all sourcing.

Co-ord Set

A matching two-piece outfit — typically a top and bottom in the same fabric, colour, and design. Co-ord sets are a core product at Ready One, including hoodie and jogger sets, tracksuit co-ords, and matching shorts and vest sets. Explore Ready One’s custom brand apparel options.

Colourway

A specific combination of colours applied to a single garment style. A hoodie offered in black, navy, and stone is described as three colourways. MOQ at Ready One applies per style per colourway — meaning 50 units minimum per colour.

CPM (Cost Per Minute)

A factory efficiency metric that calculates labour cost per minute of production time. CPM is used internally by manufacturers to price orders and assess line efficiency. Buyers rarely see CPM directly but it underlies all per-unit pricing.

D

DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)

The most buyer-friendly shipping incoterm. Under DDP, the seller handles everything — export packaging, freight booking, customs clearance, import duties, and final delivery to the buyer’s address. Ready One ships all orders DDP worldwide. There are no hidden import costs or logistics surprises. Learn more on the shipping and delivery page.

DTF (Direct to Film)

A decoration technique where a design is printed onto a special film and then heat-transferred onto the garment. DTF supports full-colour, photographic-quality prints on any fabric colour including dark garments. It is commonly used for complex graphics and small-batch decoration runs.

DTG (Direct to Garment)

A digital printing technique where inkjet technology prints directly onto the fabric surface. DTG supports unlimited colours and photographic detail but is most cost-effective at low quantities. It requires 100% cotton or high-cotton-blend fabrics for best results.

F

FOB (Free on Board)

A shipping incoterm where the seller is responsible for delivering goods to the named port of departure and loading them onto the vessel. From that point, all freight costs, insurance, and import duties are the buyer’s responsibility. FOB is more common in large-volume trading relationships.

FPP (Full Package Production)

The most common B2B manufacturing model. The factory handles everything from fabric sourcing and pattern making through to finished, labelled, packed garments ready for retail or distribution. Ready One operates exclusively on an FPP basis — full service from brief to delivery.

French Terry

A knit fabric with a smooth face and looped pile on the reverse. French terry is lighter and more breathable than fleece, making it the standard fabric for premium joggers, sweatshirts, and casual hoodies. Typical weights used at Ready One: 280–340 GSM for hoodies, 220–260 GSM for jogger sets.

G

Grading

The process of scaling a base pattern up and down to create a full size range. A graded pattern set for a hoodie might cover XS through 3XL, with each size incrementally adjusted across all measurements. Ready One’s pattern room handles grading in-house for all orders.

GSM (Grams per Square Metre)

The standard measure of fabric weight. A higher GSM means heavier, denser fabric. Common reference points: 140–160 GSM (lightweight T-shirt), 220–260 GSM (midweight French terry), 300–400 GSM (heavyweight fleece hoodie), 500 GSM+ (premium heavyweight hoodie). Always specify GSM in your tech pack — “heavyweight hoodie” means different things to different factories.

GSP+ (Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus)

A preferential trade agreement granting Pakistani-origin garments 0% import duty into the European Union. This is a significant cost advantage for EU brands sourcing from Pakistan versus sourcing from Vietnam or China. All Ready One orders qualify for GSP+ EU entry. This directly benefits brands sourcing through Ready One’s European clothing manufacturing service.

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)

The leading global certification for organic fibre processing. GOTS-certified garments contain at least 70% certified organic fibres and are produced under strict environmental and social criteria. Available on request at Ready One with a 4-week lead time and 15–25% fabric premium.

GRS (Global Recycled Standard)

An international standard verifying the recycled content of materials — typically rPET (recycled polyester from plastic bottles). GRS certification is increasingly required by brands making sustainability claims. Available at Ready One for applicable fabric orders.

H

HTS Code (Harmonised Tariff Schedule)

A standardised numerical code used to classify goods for customs and import duty purposes. Every garment has a specific HTS code that determines the duty rate applied at the destination country. Ready One’s logistics team provides accurate HTS codes on all commercial invoices.

Heat Transfer

A decoration technique using heat and pressure to apply pre-printed designs onto fabric. Heat transfer includes vinyl (single-colour, durable), heat transfer label (brand labels applied without sewing), and woven patch application.

I

Inline QC

Quality control checks performed during the sewing process — not just at the end. Inline QC at Ready One runs every 50–100 pieces on every active production line, checking stitch quality, measurements, and embellishment alignment. Problems caught inline cost a fraction of those found in final inspection. Full details on the quality control process page.

ISF (Importer Security Filing)

A US customs requirement (also called 10+2) that requires importers to submit specific shipment data to US Customs and Border Protection at least 24 hours before cargo is loaded at the origin port. Ready One’s logistics team handles ISF filing on all US-bound DDP shipments.

L

Lead Time

The total time from order confirmation to goods delivery. At Ready One: sample lead time is 7–10 working days; bulk production lead time is 15–30 working days depending on volume; sea freight adds 5–15 days to destination. Always clarify whether a quoted lead time includes shipping or covers production only.

M

Marker

A cutting plan that maps out how pattern pieces are arranged on the fabric roll to minimise waste. Efficient marker making reduces fabric consumption and directly affects the per-unit cost of production.

MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)

The minimum number of units a factory will produce per style or colourway. Ready One’s MOQ is 50 units per style per colourway. This applies to new styles, repeat orders, and all product categories. Lower MOQ enables brands to test new styles, launch seasonal capsule collections, and reduce inventory risk. Explore Ready One’s low MOQ clothing manufacturing service.

O

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)

A manufacturing model where the factory produces goods to the buyer’s exact specifications, branded under the buyer’s label. The factory does not own or sell the design. Ready One operates as an OEM manufacturer for all client orders. Learn more about Ready One’s OEM clothing manufacturing service.

Oeko-Tex Standard 100

An independent testing and certification system for textile raw materials, intermediate, and end products. Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certifies that every component of a garment — fabric, thread, buttons, zips — has been tested for harmful substances. All Ready One fabric orders are Oeko-Tex compliant. See the full certifications page for details.

Overlock

A sewing machine operation that simultaneously trims the fabric edge and encloses it in a thread casing to prevent fraying. Overlock stitching is used on virtually every internal seam in a garment. Stitch quality on overlock seams is one of the first checks in Ready One’s inline QC process.

P

Pattern Making

The technical process of translating a garment design into flat paper or digital pattern pieces that can be cut from fabric and sewn together. Pattern making determines the final fit and construction of a garment. Ready One’s pattern room develops patterns in-house from tech packs or reference samples.

Private Label

A manufacturing arrangement where garments are produced by the factory but branded and sold under the buyer’s own label. Private label production includes custom woven labels, printed labels, hang tags, and branded packaging. Ready One offers full private label clothing manufacturing from 50 units.

PPS (Pre-Production Sample)

A sample produced from the actual bulk production fabric and trims — as opposed to an initial development sample which may use substitute materials. The PPS is the definitive reference against which bulk production is measured. Ready One requires PPS approval before bulk production commences.

R

rPET (Recycled Polyester)

Polyester fibre produced from recycled plastic bottles. rPET has near-identical performance properties to virgin polyester but carries a lower carbon footprint. Available at Ready One for performance and activewear orders, with GRS certification available.

S

SA8000

A global social accountability standard based on UN and ILO conventions covering child labour, forced labour, health and safety, freedom of association, and discrimination. SA8000-aligned operations operate to this standard even without formal certification.

SEDEX (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange)

The world’s largest platform for sharing ethical supply chain data. SEDEX-registered suppliers complete SMETA audits covering labour, health and safety, environment, and business ethics. Ready One is a registered SEDEX member. Brand partners can access Ready One’s SEDEX profile on request. Full details on the certifications page.

SMETA (SEDEX Members Ethical Trade Audit)

The most widely used social audit methodology in the world, covering four pillars: labour standards, health and safety, environment, and business ethics. Ready One has completed a full SMETA 4-pillar audit, available to brand partners via the SEDEX platform.

SPI (Stitches Per Inch)

A measure of stitch density that affects both the strength and aesthetic finish of a seam. Higher SPI means tighter, stronger seams. Ready One’s QC team verifies SPI as part of inline production checks.

Screen Printing

A decoration technique using a mesh screen and squeegee to push ink through a stencil onto fabric. Screen printing is ideal for bold, flat-colour graphics on medium to large quantities. Ready One operates up to 8-colour screen printing in-house using plastisol, water-based, and discharge inks.

Sublimation

A heat-based printing process where dye is transferred directly into the fibres of the fabric — not onto the surface. Sublimation produces vibrant, full-colour, all-over prints that do not crack or fade. It works only on polyester or polyester-blend fabrics above 65% polyester content.

T

Tech Pack (Technical Package)

A complete specification document that tells a manufacturer exactly how to build a garment. A complete tech pack includes: flat sketches with measurements, fabric specification (type, weight, colour), trim details (labels, zips, buttons), stitch type and density, print or embroidery artwork files, and size grading. Ready One can assist brands in developing a tech pack from sketches or reference samples. See the full clothing sample development process.

Trim

Any component attached to a garment that is not the main fabric. Trims include: zippers, buttons, drawcords, eyelets, woven labels, care labels, hang tags, elastic, ribbing, and packaging materials. Trim quality significantly affects the perceived value of the finished garment — Ready One sources YKK zippers and verified-supplier trims for all orders.

W

WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production)

A humanitarian organisation that certifies lawful, humane, and ethical manufacturing under 12 core principles. WRAP certification is particularly valued by US and North American buyers as a primary ethical sourcing credential. Ready One holds WRAP certification — full details on the certifications page.

White Label

A variation of private label where the manufacturer’s standard product design is branded with the buyer’s label. Unlike OEM or full private label, the buyer does not design the garment — they select from the factory’s existing range. Less common for fashion brands; more common for promotional and uniform buyers.

Y

YKK

The world’s leading zipper manufacturer, headquartered in Japan. YKK zippers are the industry standard for quality and durability on premium garments. Ready One specifies YKK zippers as standard on all outerwear, hoodie, and bag orders unless otherwise requested.

Frequently Asked Questions — Clothing Manufacturing Terms

What is MOQ in clothing manufacturing?

MOQ stands for Minimum Order Quantity — the smallest number of units a manufacturer will produce per style or colourway. Ready One’s MOQ is 50 units per style per colourway, one of the lowest among ISO-certified factories in Pakistan.

What is the difference between OEM and private label?

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) means the factory produces to the buyer’s design specifications under the buyer’s brand. Private label is similar but often refers specifically to applying the buyer’s branding to a factory’s existing design. In practice, both terms describe what Ready One does: producing branded garments to the client’s exact specifications.

What does DDP mean in shipping?

DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) means the seller handles all costs including freight, insurance, customs clearance, and import duties. The buyer simply receives the goods at their door. Ready One ships all orders DDP worldwide — there are no additional import costs for the client.

What is AQL 2.5 in garment inspection?

AQL 2.5 is the inspection standard that defines the maximum acceptable defect rate in a production batch. At AQL 2.5, minor defects must be below 2.5% of the inspected sample and major defects must be zero. Ready One uses AQL 2.5 as the final pre-shipment inspection standard on every order.

What is a tech pack in clothing manufacturing?

A tech pack is a detailed specification document that communicates exactly how a garment should be built. It includes measurements, fabric specification, trim details, artwork files, and construction notes. Ready One reviews tech packs within 24 hours and can help develop one from sketches or reference samples.

What does GSM mean for fabric?

GSM stands for Grams per Square Metre and measures fabric weight. Higher GSM means heavier fabric. A premium heavyweight hoodie typically uses 380–500 GSM fleece. A lightweight T-shirt uses 140–180 GSM jersey. Always specify GSM in your brief — it is the most important single factor in fabric quality.