100 of the most common fashion industry acronyms
100 Fashion Industry Acronyms Every Designer Should Know
1. MOQ – Minimum Order Quantity
The minimum number of units a factory requires for production.
2. MCQ – Minimum Color Quantity
The minimum quantity required for each color.
3. MPQ – Minimum Production Quantity
The smallest production run a factory accepts.
4. FOB – Free On Board
The buyer owns the goods once they leave the shipping port.
5. CIF – Cost, Insurance & Freight
The price includes shipping and insurance.
6. EXW – Ex Works
The buyer is responsible for all transportation costs.
7. CMT – Cut, Make & Trim
The factory cuts fabric, sews the garments, and finishes them.
8. FPP – Full Package Production
The factory handles sourcing, production, packaging, and shipping.
9. BOM – Bill of Materials
A complete list of fabrics, trims, labels, packaging, and components needed to make a garment.
10. BOL – Bill of Lading
A legal shipping document issued by the carrier.
11. PO – Purchase Order
An official document authorizing a factory to begin production.
12. SKU – Stock Keeping Unit
A unique inventory number assigned to each product.
13. UPC – Universal Product Code
The barcode used in retail stores.
14. GTIN – Global Trade Item Number
A worldwide product identification number.
15. ERP – Enterprise Resource Planning
Software used to manage business operations.
16. PLM – Product Lifecycle Management
Software used to manage products from design through production.
17. CAD – Computer-Aided Design
Software used to create fashion flats and patterns.
18. PDM – Product Data Management
A system that stores all product information.
19. AI – Adobe Illustrator
The industry standard software for creating fashion flats and technical drawings.
20. PSD – Photoshop Document
An editable Adobe Photoshop file.
21. DXF – Drawing Exchange Format
A digital file used for pattern making.
22. PDF – Portable Document Format
The most common file used to share tech packs.
23. T&A – Time and Action Calendar
A production timeline.
24. WIP – Work In Progress
Current production status.
25. ETA – Estimated Time of Arrival
Expected delivery date.
26. ETD – Estimated Time of Departure
Expected shipping date.
27. QC – Quality Control
Inspection of finished products.
28. QA – Quality Assurance
Processes used to prevent defects.
29. AQL – Acceptable Quality Limit
The maximum number of defects allowed during inspection.
30. PP Sample – Pre-Production Sample
The final approved sample before manufacturing begins.
31. SMS – Salesman Sample
A sample used by the sales team to show buyers.
32. Fit Sample
A garment used to perfect sizing and fit.
33. TOP Sample – Top of Production Sample
The first garment produced from the production line for approval.
34. GPT – Garment Performance Test
Testing for durability, shrinkage, colorfastness, and wear.
35. PPS – Pre-Production Sample
Another term for the sample approved before bulk production.
36. Lab Dip
A small dyed fabric sample submitted for color approval.
37. Strike-Off
A printed fabric sample for approval.
38. HPS – High Point Shoulder
A garment measurement point.
39. CF – Center Front
The middle front line of a garment.
40. CB – Center Back
The middle back line of a garment.
41. SS – Spring/Summer
A seasonal fashion collection.
42. FW – Fall/Winter
A seasonal fashion collection.
43. RTW – Ready-to-Wear
Mass-produced clothing sold in stores.
44. HC – Haute Couture
Custom-made luxury garments.
45. DTM – Dye To Match
Matching trims to the garment color.
46. OTB – Open To Buy
A retailer's purchasing budget.
47. MSRP – Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
The recommended selling price.
48. SRP – Suggested Retail Price
Another term for MSRP.
49. COGS – Cost of Goods Sold
The total cost to manufacture a product.
50. CM – Cost Margin
The profit margin after production costs.
51. GSM – Grams per Square Meter
Measures fabric weight.
52. OZ – Ounces
Another way to measure fabric weight, commonly used for denim.
53. PFD – Prepared For Dye
Fabric ready for dyeing.
54. OEKO – OEKO-TEX Certified
Textiles tested for harmful chemicals.
55. GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard
Certification for organic textiles.
56. BCI – Better Cotton Initiative
A sustainability program for cotton.
57. FSC – Forest Stewardship Council
Certification for sustainable paper packaging.
58. RDS – Responsible Down Standard
Certification for ethically sourced down.
59. RWS – Responsible Wool Standard
Certification for responsibly sourced wool.
60. GRS – Global Recycled Standard
Certification for recycled materials.
61. PCR – Post Consumer Recycled
Materials recycled after consumer use.
62. PIR – Post Industrial Recycled
Materials recycled from factory waste.
63. PET – Polyethylene Terephthalate
The plastic used to make polyester.
64. TPU – Thermoplastic Polyurethane
A flexible material used in apparel and footwear.
65. EVA – Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
A lightweight foam used in shoes.
66. PU – Polyurethane
Commonly used for vegan leather.
67. PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride
Vinyl material used in accessories.
68. TPR – Thermoplastic Rubber
Material commonly used for shoe soles.
69. CMYK – Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
The standard color system for printing.
70. RGB – Red, Green, Blue
The color system used for digital screens.
71. PMS – Pantone Matching System
The universal color matching system.
72. SPI – Stitches Per Inch
Measures stitch density and quality.
73. SA – Seam Allowance
Extra fabric added beyond the sewing line.
74. SNTS – Side Neck To Shoulder
A garment measurement.
75. LCF – Length Center Front
The front length measurement.
76. HSP – High Shoulder Point
A key measurement point on garments.
77. RFQ – Request For Quote
A request sent to factories for pricing.
78. RFP – Request For Proposal
A request asking suppliers for solutions and pricing.
79. NDA – Non-Disclosure Agreement
Protects confidential designs and information.
80. COO – Country of Origin
The country where the garment was made.
81. HTS – Harmonized Tariff Schedule
Import classification code.
82. Certificate of Origin
A customs document verifying where products were manufactured.
83. RFID – Radio Frequency Identification
Technology used for inventory tracking.
84. POS – Point of Sale
The retail checkout system.
85. OMS – Order Management System
Software that manages customer orders.
86. DTC – Direct to Consumer
Selling directly to customers without retailers.
87. B2B – Business to Business
Selling products to other businesses.
88. B2C – Business to Consumer
Selling directly to consumers.
89. EDI – Electronic Data Interchange
Digital communication between retailers and suppliers.
90. LDP – Landed Duty Paid
The selling price includes import duties.
91. MOQP – Minimum Order Quantity Per Color
The minimum units required for each color.
92. PPM – Pre-Production Meeting
The meeting before manufacturing starts.
93. R&D – Research and Development
Developing new products and materials.
94. TDS – Technical Data Sheet
Detailed manufacturing specifications.
95. TP – Tech Pack
The complete blueprint for manufacturing a garment.
96. SOP – Standard Operating Procedure
Written instructions for consistent production.
97. VOC – Volatile Organic Compounds
Chemicals that may be emitted from certain materials and finishes.
98. KPI – Key Performance Indicator
A metric used to measure business or production performance.
99. MRP – Material Requirements Planning
A system used to plan purchasing and production.
100. WMS – Warehouse Management System
Software used to manage warehouse inventory and shipping.