Technical Design Acronyms

Technical Design Acronyms Every Fashion Technical Designer Should Know

1. TP – Tech Pack

The complete blueprint for manufacturing a garment.

2. BOM – Bill of Materials

Complete list of fabrics, trims, labels, packaging, and components.

3. POM – Points of Measure

The measurement locations used for garment specifications.

4. SPECS – Specification Sheet

The garment's measurements, tolerances, and construction details.

5. CF – Center Front

The center line on the front of the garment.

6. CB – Center Back

The center line on the back of the garment.

7. HPS – High Point Shoulder

The highest shoulder point used as a measurement reference.

8. SNP – Side Neck Point

Reference point at the neckline.

9. HSP – High Shoulder Point

Starting point for body length measurements.

10. SHL – Shoulder Length

Shoulder seam measurement.

11. SW – Shoulder Width

Width across the shoulders.

12. AC – Across Chest

Chest width measurement.

13. AB – Across Back

Back width measurement.

14. ARM – Armhole

Opening where the sleeve attaches.

15. AH – Armhole Height

Vertical armhole measurement.

16. BP – Bust Point

Reference point for women's garments.

17. UBM – Under Bust Measurement

Measurement below the bust.

18. WC – Waist Circumference

Finished waist measurement.

19. HC – Hip Circumference

Finished hip measurement.

20. SH – Sweep Hem

Bottom opening measurement.

21. BTM – Bottom Opening

Leg or sleeve opening.

22. SL – Sleeve Length

Sleeve measurement.

23. BICEP

Sleeve width at the bicep.

24. ELB – Elbow Width

Sleeve width at elbow.

25. CW – Cuff Width

Finished cuff opening.

26. ISEAM – Inseam

Measurement from crotch to hem.

27. OSEAM – Outseam

Side seam length.

28. FR – Front Rise

Front crotch measurement.

29. BR – Back Rise

Back crotch measurement.

30. TH – Thigh Width

Upper leg measurement.

31. KN – Knee Width

Knee measurement.

32. LEG OP – Leg Opening

Bottom leg width.

33. SA – Seam Allowance

Extra fabric beyond the stitch line.

34. SPI – Stitches Per Inch

Number of stitches in one inch.

35. SNTS – Side Neck to Shoulder

Measurement reference.

36. LCF – Length Center Front

Front body length.

37. LCB – Length Center Back

Back body length.

38. TOL – Tolerance

Allowed measurement variation.

39. GSM – Grams per Square Meter

Fabric weight.

40. OZ – Ounces

Fabric weight, especially denim.

41. DTM – Dye To Match

Matching trims to garment color.

42. PFD – Prepared For Dye

Fabric ready for dyeing.

43. CAD – Computer-Aided Design

Digital pattern or technical drawing software.

44. AI – Adobe Illustrator

Industry standard software for technical flats.

45. DXF – Drawing Exchange Format

Digital pattern file.

46. PDF – Portable Document Format

Common file format for tech packs.

47. PLM – Product Lifecycle Management

Software for managing product development.

48. PDM – Product Data Management

Stores product specifications.

49. QC – Quality Control

Inspection of finished garments.

50. QA – Quality Assurance

Processes that prevent defects.

51. AQL – Acceptable Quality Limit

Inspection standard used during production.

52. PPS – Pre-Production Sample

Sample approved before bulk production.

53. FIT Sample

Sample used to evaluate fit.

54. PP Sample – Pre-Production Sample

Final approved sample before production.

55. TOP Sample – Top of Production

First production garment approval.

56. SMS – Salesman Sample

Garment used for marketing and buyer presentations.

57. LAB DIP

Small dyed fabric submitted for color approval.

58. STRIKE-OFF

Printed fabric sample for approval.

59. WIP – Work In Progress

Current production stage.

60. T&A – Time and Action Calendar

Production timeline and milestones.

61. PO – Purchase Order

Official production authorization.

62. MOQ – Minimum Order Quantity

Lowest production quantity accepted.

63. CMT – Cut, Make & Trim

Factory only cuts and sews.

64. FPP – Full Package Production

Factory handles the entire production process.

65. FOB – Free On Board

Shipping term used in production costing.

66. COGS – Cost of Goods Sold

Total production cost.

67. ETA – Estimated Time of Arrival

Expected delivery date.

68. ETD – Estimated Time of Departure

Expected shipping date.

69. SKU – Stock Keeping Unit

Inventory identification number.

70. UPC – Universal Product Code

Retail barcode.

71. RFID – Radio Frequency Identification

Inventory tracking technology.

72. CMYK – Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black

Print color system.

73. RGB – Red, Green, Blue

Digital color system.

74. PMS – Pantone Matching System

Universal color standard.

75. OEKO – OEKO-TEX Certified

Certification for textiles free of harmful substances.