Reference

Custom merch glossary

Plain-English definitions for the apparel, decoration, artwork, and ordering terms that appear in custom merchandise quotes and production conversations.

Blank apparel

Undecorated clothing made to be worn as-is or customized with printing, embroidery, labels, or other decoration.

MOQ (minimum order quantity)

The smallest quantity a supplier will accept for a product, color, decoration method, or production run. Different parts of one order can have different minimums.

GSM

Grams per square meter, a measure of fabric weight. GSM helps compare weight but does not by itself determine softness, durability, warmth, or quality.

Screen printing

A method that pushes ink through a mesh stencil onto a garment. Each ink color normally needs its own screen, so the method becomes more economical as quantity grows.

DTG (direct to garment)

A digital process that prints water-based ink directly onto fabric. It is useful for detailed, photographic, or many-color artwork and smaller runs.

Embroidery

Decoration made by stitching thread into a garment or accessory. Price and feasibility depend on stitch count, size, placement, thread colors, and the item being embroidered.

Digitizing

Converting artwork into machine instructions for embroidery, including stitch direction, density, underlay, and sequence. It is not the same as simply saving a logo in a different file format.

Decoration location

One printed or embroidered area, such as left chest, full back, sleeve, or hat front. Each additional location can add setup and production cost.

Colorway

One product color or coordinated color combination. Splitting a run across several garment colors can affect availability, minimums, and setup.

Pantone matching

Using the Pantone Matching System as a shared color reference. A Pantone target improves communication, but fabric, ink, thread, coating, and lighting can make the final appearance vary.

PFD (prepared for dye)

A garment or fabric prepared for later dyeing, usually without optical brighteners or finishes that interfere with dye uptake.

Ring-spun cotton

Cotton yarn made by continuously twisting and thinning fibers. It is commonly used for a smoother, softer hand than basic open-end yarn.

Combed cotton

Cotton processed to remove shorter fibers and impurities before spinning, which generally creates a smoother and more consistent yarn.

Tubular construction

A body made without side seams. It can be efficient and comfortable, while side-seamed garments may offer more control over shape and fit.

Underbase

A base layer, often white, printed beneath colors on dark garments so the design appears opaque and accurate.

Halftone

A pattern of small dots that simulates gradients or shades with a limited number of screen-printing inks.

Print-ready artwork

Artwork supplied at the correct size, resolution, color setup, and file format for the chosen decoration method, with fonts and linked elements handled correctly.

Production proof

The approved representation of artwork, placement, size, garment, and color used to authorize production. A digital proof is not always a physical sample.

Sample

A physical garment or decorated piece reviewed before or alongside a larger order. Sample cost and timing depend on whether it is blank, decorated, or custom manufactured.

Pack-out

The steps after decoration, such as folding, bagging, labeling, sorting by recipient, or preparing cartons for shipment.

QC (quality control)

Inspection against the approved order details, including garment, color, size, decoration placement, print or stitch quality, count, and packaging.

Lead time

The elapsed time needed for approvals, sourcing, production, quality control, and sometimes shipping. It should be measured from a clearly stated milestone, not assumed from the inquiry date.