Manufacturing conversations move quickly and assume shared vocabulary. These are the terms that most often cause confusion.
Development
- Block: a base pattern used as the starting point for new styles
- Tech pack: the specification document a factory produces from
- Proto sample: the first sample, made to test construction
- Fit sample: a sample in correct fabric used to evaluate fit
- Pre production sample: the approved standard for the run
- Grading: scaling a pattern across a size range
- Point of measure: a specified location where a garment is measured
Materials
- GSM: grams per square metre, a measure of fabric weight
- Hand: how a fabric feels
- Deadstock: surplus fabric from other production
- Dye lot: a batch dyed together, which may vary slightly from another batch
- Interfacing: material added to give structure to a panel
Production
- Marker: the layout of pattern pieces used for cutting
- Consumption: fabric required per garment
- MOQ: minimum order quantity
- Full package: the factory sources materials and delivers finished goods
- CMT: cut, make and trim, where the brand supplies materials
- Bundle: cut pieces grouped for a sewing operator
Quality
- Tolerance: acceptable variance from a specified measurement
- First piece inspection: checking the first garment off the line
- Shading: colour variation within or between rolls