Technical Glossary: Uniform Manufacturing & Sourcing Terms
Buyers researching custom uniforms run into a mix of textile, garment-construction and procurement terminology, often for the first time. This glossary defines those terms in plain language, and links each one back to the guide where it's actually used.
Where a term describes a standard industry practice, that's noted. Where a definition states something as a TB Uniform capability specifically, that's marked separately. The two aren't the same thing, and this page keeps them distinct.
Fabrics & Fibers
GSM (Grams per Square Meter) The standard unit for fabric weight. Lighter fabrics (120–160 GSM) suit hospitality and food-service uniforms where breathability matters; mid-weight (180–220 GSM) covers most corporate shirting and polos; heavier fabrics (220–300+ GSM) go into industrial workwear that needs to resist abrasion. GSM is an industry-standard measurement, not a TB Uniform-specific term. See Choosing Uniform Fabric.
Poly-Cotton Blend A fabric woven or knitted from a mix of polyester and cotton fibers, commonly at a 65/35 or 80/20 ratio. Cotton content improves breathability and comfort; polyester content improves shape retention, wrinkle resistance and drying time. The right ratio depends on the wear environment, not a fixed rule. See Choosing Uniform Fabric.
Woven Fabric Fabric made by interlacing two sets of yarns at right angles (warp and weft) on a loom. Typically used for shirts, trousers and structured garments where a crisp, stable finish is needed.
Knitted Fabric Fabric made by looping yarn together, which gives it natural stretch. Used for polos, T-shirts and garments that need to move with the wearer.
Ripstop A woven fabric with a reinforcing crosshatch pattern woven in at intervals, which stops small tears from spreading. Common in industrial and outdoor workwear.
Moisture-Wicking A fabric finish or fiber property that pulls sweat away from the skin to the fabric surface, where it evaporates faster. Relevant for hospitality, food service and industrial roles with sustained physical activity.
Construction & Trims
Seam The line where two pieces of fabric are joined by stitching. Seam type affects durability, comfort against the skin, and appearance. Flat-lock seams reduce chafing, for example, while French seams enclose raw edges for a cleaner finish.
Bar Tack A short, dense reinforcement stitch placed at points of stress, such as pocket corners, belt loops and zipper ends, to stop the seam from tearing open under repeated strain.
Woven Label A label woven on a small loom with the design built into the fabric structure itself, rather than printed on. More durable through repeated washing than a printed label, and standard for branding on the inside neck or side seam of a uniform.
Printed Label A label with the design printed onto fabric or a synthetic substrate. Lower cost than a woven label and suitable for care instructions or information that doesn't need decades of wash durability.
Hook-and-Loop Closure The generic term for what's commonly branded as Velcro: two fabric strips, one hooked and one looped, that press together to close. Used on name-badge panels, cuffs and adjustable closures.
Branding & Decoration
Embroidery Decoration created by stitching thread directly into the fabric to form a logo or design. Durable through repeated commercial washing, with a raised, textured finish. Best for logos with fewer than roughly 8–10 solid colors. See Choosing a Branding Method.
Digitizing The process of converting a logo into a stitch file that an embroidery machine can read, mapping stitch type, density and sequence. Required before any embroidery run, including a single sample.
Screen Printing Decoration created by pushing ink through a mesh stencil, one color at a time, directly onto the fabric. Cost-effective at higher volumes and well suited to large graphics or multi-piece runs, though less durable long-term than embroidery on heavy-wear garments. See Choosing a Branding Method.
Heat Transfer Decoration applied by pressing a pre-printed design onto fabric using heat and pressure. Handles fine detail and gradient color well, and works economically on small runs, but generally wears faster than embroidery or screen printing on garments that see frequent industrial laundering.
Pantone (TPX / TCX) A standardized color-matching system used to specify an exact shade regardless of screen or printer variation. TPX refers to Pantone's paper-based Fashion, Home + Interiors chip; TCX refers to the cotton-based chip, which is the more relevant reference for matching actual fabric color. See Color Development and Matching.
Sampling & Development
Tech Pack The technical specification document for a garment: fabric, construction details, points of measure, trims, labeling and colorways. A manufacturer works from it to build a sample. See Writing a Uniform Tech Pack.
Bill of Materials (BOM) The itemized list, usually part of a tech pack, of every material a garment needs (fabric, thread, labels, trims, buttons, zippers, packaging), each with a quantity and specification.
Point of Measure (POM) A specific measurement location on a garment (chest width, sleeve length, inseam) used to define size and check that a finished garment matches spec within tolerance.
Pre-Production Sample (PPS) The sample made using the actual bulk-approved fabric, trims and construction method, produced and approved immediately before mass production starts. Distinct from an earlier proto sample, which may use placeholder materials to confirm fit and design direction. See Sampling and Approval.
Proto Sample An early sample built to test fit, silhouette and construction concept, often before final fabric or color is locked. The first checkpoint in the sampling sequence, ahead of the PPS.
Sourcing & Commercial
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) The smallest quantity a manufacturer will produce per style in a single order. TB Uniform's verified MOQ is 100 pieces per style, one case where this glossary states a specific company capability rather than just the general industry concept. See How to Source Custom Uniforms.
RFQ (Request for Quotation) A formal document a buyer sends to a manufacturer describing what they need (garment type, fabric, quantities, branding, target delivery) in order to receive a price and lead time. See the RFQ checklist in the Sourcing Guide.
OEM / Private Label Manufacturing a product to a buyer's own specification and branding, with no manufacturer branding on the finished item. In uniform sourcing this typically means the buyer's own labels, packaging and program identity, produced by a manufacturer that doesn't appear on the product.
Lead Time The time between order confirmation and finished-goods readiness. TB Uniform's verified standard production lead time is 2–4 weeks after sample approval, with sampling itself typically taking 5–7 business days.
Incoterms A standardized set of international trade terms (FOB, CIF, EXW, DDP, etc.) that define exactly where responsibility for shipping cost, risk and customs clearance transfers from seller to buyer. Relevant to any cross-border uniform order. See Packing, Labeling and Export Delivery.
Sizing
Grading The process of scaling a base pattern up and down to produce a full size run (XS through 3XL, for example) while keeping proportions consistent across sizes.
Tolerance The acceptable margin of error, usually in centimeters or inches, between a garment's specified measurement and its actual measurement. A tech pack typically states tolerance alongside each point of measure.
Size Run The specific mix and quantity of sizes ordered for a program: not just which sizes are available, but how many of each, based on the size distribution of the actual workforce. See Sizing and Fit for Uniform Programs.
Quality
AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit) A statistical sampling standard (ISO 2859-1) used to inspect a bulk order without checking every single unit. AQL 2.5 for major defects and AQL 4.0 for minor defects are common baselines in garment manufacturing. See Bulk Production and Quality Control.
Inspection Level Part of the AQL system, where General Inspection Level II is the standard default, that determines how large a sample size is pulled from a given order quantity for inspection.
Defect Classification (Critical / Major / Minor) The severity tiers used to categorize a flaw found during inspection. A critical defect makes a garment unsafe or unsellable; a major defect affects function or appearance significantly; a minor defect is a small cosmetic issue unlikely to affect use.
Care & Performance
Colorfastness A fabric's resistance to fading or bleeding color, whether from washing, rubbing, or light exposure. Tested and rated on a standardized scale, and particularly relevant for uniform programs that specify an exact brand color.
Shrinkage The percentage a fabric or garment reduces in size after washing, usually tested through a standardized number of wash cycles. Factored into pattern-making so the finished garment still fits correctly after repeated laundering.
Wash Durability How well a garment, including its seams, decoration, color and fabric hand, holds up through repeated industrial or commercial laundering, as opposed to gentler home washing. A central consideration for workwear worn and washed on a near-daily basis.
FAQ
What's the difference between GSM and fabric weight in ounces? Both measure the same property. GSM (grams per square meter) is the metric standard used internationally and in most tech packs; ounces per square yard is more common in North American sourcing. They convert directly (1 oz/yd² ≈ 33.9 GSM), so a spec sheet may state either depending on the buyer's region.
Is a higher GSM always better for uniforms? No. Higher GSM generally means more durability and structure, but also more weight, less breathability and a higher price per garment. The right GSM depends on the role: a kitchen uniform and a warehouse coverall have different needs, even within the same company.
What's the difference between OEM and private label in uniform manufacturing? In practice, the terms are often used interchangeably in this industry. Both describe production to a buyer's specification, under the buyer's own branding, without the manufacturer's name appearing on the finished product.
Do I need to know all these terms before requesting a quote? No. A manufacturer should be able to work from a plain description of what's needed and translate it into technical terms as part of preparing a quote. This glossary is here so you can follow that conversation and check the details, not so you have to write the tech pack yourself.