Term

Definition

AOP - All Over Print

A print that covers an entire panel or entire garment. Normally the print repeats and often the entire length of fabric will be printed

ASAP - As Soon As Possible

Not really a fashion term but you are gonna see it regularly

AWB - AirWay Bill

A receipt issued by an international airline for goods

BND - Back Neck Drop

The measurement from the HSP to the lowest point at the edge of the back neckline

BNL - Back Neck Label

A label sewn inside the back neck

BNT - Back Neck Tape

A tape sewn inside the back neck at the collar

BOM - Bill Of Materials

A document itemising everything needed to create the finished garment

BULK - Not an acronym

When sampling’s finished and approved and you are ready to start producing the main order, ‘start the bulk production’

C&S - Cut and Sew

Pieces of fabric sewn together to make a garment. Normally as a designer, it involves adding some paneling to a simple garment

CAD - Computer-Aided Design

A term for a garment drawing made on the computer

CB - Centre Back

The vertical measurement dissecting the back left and right side in the middle of the two

CC - Colour Card or Colour Chart

CF - Centre Front

The vertical measurement dissecting the front left and right side in the middle of the two

CMT - Cut, Make, Trim

This is what happens once the factory receives the pattern and fabric

CNY - Chinese New Year

A major holiday in China which may affect any dealings you have with China

CW - Cuttable Width

The width of a fabric minus the selvedge

DL - Deskloom

A sample length of fabric used for checking colours and patterns

DTM - Dyed To Match

Often seen on tech packs

EOD - End Of Day

ETA - Estimated Time of Arrival

ETD - Estimated Time of Departure

FBA - Fulfillment By Amazon

Amazon’s gonna sort it

FDS - Fabric Detail Sheet

A detailed description of the merchandise

FND - Front Neck Drop

The measurement from the HSP to the lowest point at the edge of the front neckline

FOB - Free On Board

This means the seller covers the expense of shipping to a certain point, so for example the factory may say FOB Hong Kong Port meaning they will load the goods and get them to the port and you responsible for all other costs and liabilities from then on

FPT - Fabric Performance Test

A mandatory test report on fabrics that can be requested for approval

FTD - Fabric Technical Data

The breakdown of a fabrics makeup/composition/technicalities

FTY - Factory

A lazy way of writing factory

FW - Full Width

The entire unfolded width of a piece of fabric

GG - Gauge

Often used in knitwear, it refers to the number of stitches in a row and how tightly they are knitted

GPT - Garment Performance Test

A mandatory test report on garments that can be requested for approval

GSM - Grams per Square Metre

A term used in textiles to measure the weight of a fabric

GTM - Go to market

HKG - Hong Kong

An important destination on trips to the far east, as it can be the gateway to manufacturing in China

HSP - High shoulder point

The point at the top of your shoulder where it meets the neck

LD - Lab dip

A sample of the fabric that has been dyed to your requirements

LHSAW - Left-hand side as worn

LS - Long sleeve

MCQ - Minimum colour quantities

Similar to MOQ this splits down the minimum quantity you need to place with a factory per colourway

MMENT - Measurement

MOQ - Minimum order quantity

A factory term for the least amount of an item they will produce

NSA - No seam allowance

This measurement doesn’t include allowance for stitching

OOO - Out of Office

Give the person a break. They’ve had enough of your BS.

OOS - Out of stock

OPD - Order placement date

The date orders need to be placed if you are going to hit your expected delivery date

OTB - Open to buy

A financial budget for merchandise buyers

PO - PO

A commercial document and first official offer issued by a Buyer to a Vendor indicating types, quantities, and agreed prices for products or services. Often these need to be “raised” or created.

POM - Point Of Measure

A point of measure is the place where a measurement starts and finishes. This is broken down into a whole world of POM abbreviations that you will find in this list.

PP or PPS - Pre-Production Sample

A pre-production sample is made with actual fabric and trims and is essentially what the final garment should look like

PPI - Picks Per Inch

The number of weft threads per inch of woven fabric

QTY - Quantity

RAS - Risk appetite statements

Produced for key levels within an enterprise; commencing at the Board and cascading down the enterprise

RFD - Ready For Dyeing

RHSAW - Right-Hand Side As Worn

RPT - Repeat

Usually referring to a graphic print that repeats

SKU - Stock Keeping Unit

This is used to sort out the inventory of a fashion collection. Each piece of a collection is recorded, usually broken down into each piece and each colourway for that piece.

SMS - SalesMan Sample

Scaled-down versions of real products used to demonstrate features to retailers or potential customers

SO - Sample Order

A sample ordered from the factory. Or it can also mean…

SO - Strik Off

A strike-off is a sample of a print or a fabric provided by the factory for you to check before they proceed. Designers often request a strike-off to check that their idea works in reality how they imagined.

SPEC - Technical Specification document or Spec Sheet

Displaying all the measurements and other technical information to give a detailed overview of a garment

SPI - Stitches Per Inch

The number of stitches per inch used on a sewing machine

SPM - Stitches per minute

The number of stitches a sewing machine can achieve

SS - Short Sleeve

SS - Side Seam

The vertical measurement running down the side from the underarm to the hem in between the front and the back of the garment

SS - Size Set

A complete set of samples in all the different sizes

TBA - To Be Advised

Often written on tech packs when details are yet to be defined

TNA - Time And Action

A calendar for recording and following up on important milestones of a collection from conception to delivery

TOD - Time Of Delivery

TP - Tech Pack

A technical pack that breaks down all the design details of a garment

WC - Week Commencing

WH - Warehouse

XFD - Ex-Factory Date

The date on which the supplier needs to have the shipment ready to move from the factory to the shipment forwarder

YTD - Yarn Technical Data

The breakdown of yarns specifications