Apparel Manufacturing Glossary & Comparisons

China vs. Bangladesh Apparel Manufacturing

Sourcing geography decisions between China and Bangladesh apparel manufacturing affect MOQs, lead times, and landed costs. Learn which origin fits your product.

China vs. India Apparel Manufacturing

Sourcing geography comparison between China and India apparel manufacturing. Learn costs, lead times, compliance standards, and which origin fits your DTC brand.

Mexico vs. China Apparel Manufacturing

Nearshore US apparel production in Mexico offers faster lead times than China. Compare costs, MOQs, and compliance factors for DTC brand sourcing decisions.

Proto vs. Fit vs. PP vs. TOP Samples

Sample stages like proto, fit, PP, and TOP samples determine production accuracy. Learn what each sample type means and when to approve them.

Turkey vs. Portugal Apparel Manufacturing

Nearshore EU apparel sourcing compared. Turkey vs. Portugal manufacturing costs, MOQs, lead times, and compliance standards for DTC brands scaling production.

Vietnam vs. Bangladesh Apparel Manufacturing

Sourcing geography comparison of Vietnam vs. Bangladesh apparel manufacturing. Learn costs, lead times, compliance standards, and which country fits your DTC brand.

What Is AQL in Apparel Quality Inspection?

AQL 2.5 is the acceptance sampling standard most apparel brands use for pre-shipment inspection. Learn how AQL levels work and when to adjust them.

What Is BSCI Certification?

BSCI audit is a social compliance framework covering worker rights and safety. Learn what BSCI certification means for apparel sourcing and factory selection.

What Is Bluesign Certification?

Bluesign fabric certification ensures textiles meet strict chemical safety and environmental standards. Learn what it covers and when DTC brands should require it.

What Is CIF Incoterm in Apparel?

CIF NY and other CIF Incoterms shift insurance and freight costs to your supplier. Learn how CIF works in apparel sourcing and when to use it vs FOB.

What Is Cut and Sew Manufacturing?

Cut and sew is the apparel manufacturing model where a factory cuts fabric to pattern pieces and sews them into a finished garment. Inside: how it differs from print-on-demand, private label, and CMT, and when each is the right choice.

What Is DDP Incoterm in Apparel?

DDP doorstep delivery means your factory handles all shipping costs and import duties. Learn how this Incoterm works for apparel brands and when to use it.

What Is EXW Incoterm in Apparel?

EXW factory terms place full shipping responsibility on buyers. Learn what EXW means for DTC apparel brands sourcing from overseas textile factories.

What Is FOB Incoterm in Apparel?

FOB Shanghai and other FOB terms define when risk transfers from factory to buyer. Learn how FOB works in apparel sourcing and when to use alternatives.

What Is FSC Certification for Textiles?

FSC viscose certification verifies wood-based textiles come from responsibly managed forests. Learn how FSC chain of custody works for rayon, modal, and lyocell sourcing.

What Is GRS Certification?

GRS stands for Global Recycled Standard, the certification that verifies recycled-content claims in textiles. Inside: what it certifies, what 20 percent vs 50 percent vs 100 percent GRS means, and when brands actually need it.

What Is GSM in Fabric?

GSM stands for grams per square meter, the standard measure of fabric weight in apparel manufacturing. Inside: typical GSM by garment category and what GSM tells you about hand-feel, drape and cost.

What Is HTS Classification?

HTS is the Harmonized Tariff Schedule code that determines what duty rate applies to every apparel import. Inside: how codes are structured, why misclassification costs five-figure fines, and how to find the right code.

What Is MOQ?

MOQ is the minimum order quantity a factory will accept per style, color, or fabric run. Inside: typical apparel MOQs, how vertically integrated factories flex them, and the real cost drivers behind the floor.

What Is Manufacturing vs. Mass-Lot Grading?

Mfg vs MLG explained for apparel brands. Learn how manufacturing differs from mass-lot grading in overseas production and why both matter for quality control.

What Is OEKO-TEX Certification?

OEKO-TEX is the leading global textile safety certification, testing fabric for chemical and dye residues that touch skin. Inside: what STANDARD 100 means, who needs it, and the cost of certification.

What Is SA8000 Certification?

SA8000 audit verifies factory labor standards across 9 performance areas. Learn what this social certification covers and why DTC brands require it from suppliers.

What Is SPI (Stitches Per Inch)?

SPI stitch density measures stitches per inch in garment seams. Learn how SPI affects durability, cost, and quality control for DTC apparel production runs.

What Is Section 301?

Section 301 is the US trade tariff stack imposed on China-origin imports since 2018. Inside: what apparel categories it applies to, current rate ranges, and how it interacts with base HTS duty.

What Is UFLPA?

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act bans US import of any goods linked to Xinjiang region. Inside: how it applies to apparel, what documentation CBP requires, and how vertically integrated factories handle it.

What Is WRAP Certification?

WRAP audit certification verifies garment factories meet 12 social compliance principles. Learn what WRAP covers, audit levels, and how it affects your sourcing.

What Is a Bill of Lading for Apparel Shipments?

Ocean BOL explained for apparel brands. Learn what a bill of lading contains, why it matters for garment imports, and how to avoid costly shipping mistakes.

What Is a Commercial Invoice for Apparel Imports?

CI customs documents are essential for apparel imports. Learn what goes on a commercial invoice, why customs requires it, and how to avoid costly errors.

What Is a Letter of Credit in Apparel Sourcing?

L/C payment terms protect both brands and factories in apparel sourcing. Learn how letters of credit work, what documents you need, and when to use them.

What Is a Packing List in Apparel Sourcing?

A packing list details every carton, SKU, and unit count in an apparel shipment. Learn what goes inside, why it matters, and how to avoid costly errors.

What Is a Proto Sample?

A proto sample is the first physical garment a factory produces from a tech pack. Inside: how it differs from a fit sample and a PP sample, and what to check before approving for production.

What Is a T/T (Telegraphic Transfer) Payment?

T/T deposit is the most common payment method in apparel manufacturing. Learn how telegraphic transfers work, typical split terms, and when to use alternatives.

What Is a Tech Pack?

A tech pack is the engineering blueprint a brand sends to a factory. It contains every spec needed to manufacture a garment. Inside: what to include and what gets you a 72-hour quote.

What Is an HS Code in Apparel Imports?

HS classification determines your apparel import duties and customs clearance. Learn how to find the right HS code and avoid costly tariff mistakes.

What Is the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS)?

RCS certification verifies recycled content in textiles through chain of custody tracking. Learn requirements, costs, and how it applies to apparel sourcing.

Apparel Sourcing Agent vs Direct Factory

A sourcing agent quotes you a factory's price plus 25 to 50 percent markup. Direct factory access removes the layer. Inside: what each model actually costs, what each one protects against, and where each one breaks.

China vs Vietnam for Apparel Manufacturing

Brands routinely consider relocating sourcing from China to Vietnam to escape Section 301 tariffs. Inside: where Vietnam wins, where China still beats Vietnam, and the post-tariff math.

Cotton vs Polyester for Apparel

Cotton and polyester sit at opposite ends of the apparel fiber spectrum. Inside: how each performs on hand-feel, durability, cost, sustainability, and care, and when each is the right choice for a brand.

FOB vs CIF vs DDP for Apparel Imports

Three Incoterms decide who pays for ocean freight, insurance, customs, and final delivery on apparel imports from China. Inside: which one protects your unit economics and which one quietly costs you 8 percent of landed cost.

Private Label vs White Label Clothing

Private label and white label both put your brand on a factory's garment, but the construction model and pricing differ. Inside: which one fits a $100K, $1M, and $10M apparel brand.

Sea Freight vs Air Freight for Apparel

Apparel imports use sea freight by default and air freight by emergency. Inside: what each costs per kilogram, when air freight actually makes financial sense, and the hybrid sea-air option most brands ignore.