Hi, Unregistered. | Today's Posts

T-Shirt Forums
User Name
Password

Need to Register?

Forgot Your Password?

Site Navigation


More Info

+   T-Shirt Forums > T-Shirt Selling > General T-Shirt Selling Discussion
This is the catchall topic for the t-shirt selling discussion. Not sure where to post your question about t-shirt selling? Start here.

T-shirt terms you may need to know before buying



 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old April 23rd, 2007 Apr 23, 2007 9:13:39 AM -   #1 (permalink)
T-Shirt Lover
T-Shirt Master


highstyleinc's Avatar
 
You can call me: Kris
Member Since: Apr 2007
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 316
Thanks: 0
Thanked 62 Times in 19 Posts


Default T-shirt terms you may need to know before buying

I may have to organize these into categories, but I tried picking the terms most related to t-shirts.

1x1 Rib: Also 2x2 rib knit trim. The width of each rib is the same as the width between each rib. This helps the garment retain its elasticity.

Bleach wash: The process of washing fabric or a garment with bleach to soften and distress the look of the fabric.

Brushed Cotton: Cotton fabric that is brushed to remove all the excess lint and fibers from the fabric, leaving an ultra soft, smooth finish.

Cap Sleeves: A length of sleeve that hits the upper arm between the elbow and the shoulder. Generally used for ladies' garments.

Carding: A fiber cleaning process in yarn spinning.

Colorfastness: The ability of a fabric to withstand exposure to sunlight, dry cleaning and laundering without fading or running. The types of fiber, dye and treatment used for setting the color determine how colorfast a fabric will be.

Combed Cotton: Cotton yarn that has been combed to remove short fibers and straighten or arrange longer fibers in parallel order resulting in a smooth yarn used in finer garments.

Compaction: A shrinkage control technique used in fabric manufacturing.

Corduroy: Cut pile fabric woven with either wide or narrow wales formed by using extra filling. Back may be either plain or twill weave, the latter being better quality.

Cover stitch: Background of solid embroidery. Background behind copy.

Cover stitched armhole seam: Usually found in knit shirts, refers to the inside armhole seam being serged or finished.

Denier: The weight measurement of filament yarns and fibers. The low numbers represent the finer sizes and the higher numbers, the heavier yarns.

Direct embroidery: The process of sewing a name or design directly to a garment.

Double knit: A knit fabric of double thickness.

Double-Needle Stitched: A finish used on a sleeve and/or bottom hem that uses two needles to create parallel rows of visible stitching. It gives the garment a cleaner, more finished look and adds durability.

Drapability: A fabric's ability to hang gracefully in a finished product.

End-on-end: An arrangement of warp yarns with one end of color and one end of white alternatively.

Enzyme washed: A process of washing using organic substances that cause transformation or accelerate the aging of dyes.

Face: Traditionally, the side of a fabric that offers a finished or polished appearance. The face is normally used for outward print and decoration.

Feeder stripe: An 1/8" repeating stripe.

Filament: A fine or thinly spun thread or fiber.

Finish: General term for processes used in converting raw goods into finished cloth. Bleaching, mercerizing, steaming, singeing, and dyeing are typical finishing processes.

FLASH: Used in silk-screening-applying a layer of white ink on a dark garment and quickly drying before applying additional ink colors. Prevents dark garment fibers from degrading the imprint quality.

FOIL (HOT) STAMPING: The process of applying metallic or colored foil imprints with a heated magnesium die to the surface of vinyl or leather. Can be combined with debossing.

Full Cut: Refers to a garment's fit as being generous and roomy.

Garment dyed: Apparel dyed in garment form rather than fabric form. This is a popular fashion treatment used by designers.

Garment washed: After a garment is sewn it is washed to cut down on shrinkage and add softness to the garment.

Gusset: Added panel of fabric in a seam to provide action movement.

Hand: The tactile qualities of a fabric. The way it feels to the touch - soft, firm, elastic, etc.

Herringbone: Broken twill weave giving a zig-zag effect.

Interlock: A plain-stitched knit fabric which looks the same on both sides. Often used for T-shirts and golf shirts.

Jacquard: Woven-in pattern created by a special loom. A raised design or pattern woven into the fabric as opposed to being printed on the fabric.

Jersey knit: A single-knit, plain-stitched fabric with a face side that is markedly different from the back side.

Knits: Fabrics constructed by interlocking a series of loops by hand or machine. Knitted fabrics tend to mold and fit easily to body shape: woven fabrics, in contrast, drape.

Lycra: An elastomeric fiber that is blended with other fibers. Can stretch 500 percent without breaking. Holds dyes well and is resistant to heat. Trademark owned by Du Pont.

Mercerized: A treatment of fine cotton yarn or fabric that increases shine, luster and strength. Its ability to absorb dyes produces vibrant colors.

Nap: A downy surface given to a cloth when part of the fibers are raised from the basic structure and brushed.

Neck tape: Protective band of tape sewn over the seam between the shell and the collar for a more comfortable feel to the garment.

Non-woven fabrics: Materials that are produced by interlocking or bonding fabrics together.

Ottoman knit: A horizontal raised rib textured knit.

Oxford weave: A group of cotton or man-made fabrics made with a modified plain weave or basket weave. Mainly used as shirting material.

PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM™ (PMS): An internationally recognized numerical standard of color matching artwork for reproduction on an item.

Peach wash finish: A "peach fuzz" like finish applied to washed poplin with a light nap for a soft, supple feel.

Pigment dye: Washed down colors that will continue to soften and age with washing. Great for outdoor and casual looks.

Pile fabric: Fabric with cut fibers or uncut loops which stand up densely on the surface. Usually has a plush feel (i.e., bath towel, velvet).

Pique: Knit fabric with raised lengthwise "cords" which are part of the weave.

Plain weave: The basic criss-cross method of weaving cloth.

Ply: The number of single yarns twisted together to form ply yarn; also the number of ply yarns twisted together to form cord. By twisting two or more yarns together, a stronger single yarn is created.

Poplin: A blend of cotton and polyester (bi-blend) in a poplin weave.

Printed fabric: A fabric with a pattern printed on it with an ink or dye.

Raglan sleeves: Sleeves are all one piece from collar to cuff, allowing for ease of movement.

Reactive printed fabric: A fabric printed with a reactive dye that promotes colorfastness.

Recovery: The capacity of a fabric to return to its original dimensions after being stretched out of shape.

REGISTRATION: The distance required between elements of artwork to produce a high-quality imprint.

RESOLUTION: Term used when discussing requirements for specific imprint/art methods. Generally involves required "lines per inch" or "dots per inch" to produce the specified end result or quality of appearance.

Rib Knit: A textured knit that has the appearance of vertical lines. It is highly elastic and retains "memory".

Ring Spun Yarn: Yarn made by continuously twisting and thinning a rope of cotton fibers. The twisting makes the short hairs of cotton stand out, resulting in a stronger yarn with a significantly softer hand.

Ripstop nylon: Nylon taffeta with double yarns creating the box pattern to provide extra strength and resistance to tearing.

Running stitch: Sequential stitching which runs in a single direction.

Sand wash: The process of washing fabric or a garment with sand to soften and distress the look of the fabric.

Seam sealing: A process in which the stitch line of a garment is made leak proof by the application of seam tape or seam-sealing glue.

Set-in sleeve: Sleeves constructed to run from the shoulder to the cuff.

Sheeting, cotton: Plain weave cotton.

Shrinkage: Terms refers to the amount of size reduction in a 100% cotton item. Most 100% items have been pre-shrunk and no more than a 4-5% shrinkage should be expected.

Silicone washed: A process of washing using silicones that increase softness.

Space dye: A yarn dyeing process of which one strand received one color at irregular intervals. Produces an effect of unorganization.

Stitch count: Accumulated total of stitches required to complete and embroidery design.

Stone wash: The process of washing fabric or a garment with stone to soften and distress the look of the fabric.

Taffetta: Basic plain weave that is crisp and smooth on both sides, usually with a sheen. Warp and filling approximately of the same count. May be plain, printed, striped, checked, plaid, or antique with uneven threads.

Taped Seams: A strip of fabric sewn to the seam of a garment to prevent distortion. In outerwear, taped seams aid in waterproofing.

Texturing: To achieve a matte, cotton-like texture, a jet of air is blown on a fiber to give it a rough, non-reflective surface. Textured fibers offer greater bulk and airiness to a fabric without increasing its weight.

TINT: The percentage of a color used in an imprint area. I.E. a 50% halftone is produced by applying 50 dots per inch to the imprint area, leaving the remaining 50% without ink. Sometimes referred to as "ghosting" an imprint.

Twill: A fabric whose weave is made up of 2 or 3 warp yarns or threads to every one weft. Weave with diagonal ribs and large number of variations. Diagonals may be set at sharp or blunt angles, may be embedded or raised. Important types are flannels, serges, gabardines, and surahs.

Warp: Lengthwise yarns found in all woven fabrics. The warp is stronger and denser than the weft (crosswise) yarns.

Weft: The horizontal (crosswise) threads that intersect the warp (lengthwise) threads in a woven fabric.

Weight: Usually measured in ounces per yard.

Welt: A welt is a pocket opening treatment. The welt is a cut and sewn piece of fabric that is used to finish the pocket opening.

Yarn dyed: A fabric such as plaid, check or strip where the color is in the dyed threads or yarns before weaving or knitting cloth, as opposed to the color being printed on the fabric after being woven.
__________________
http://www.highstyleproductions.com
custom apparel manufacturing for small companies

Last edited by Rodney; April 24th, 2007 at 05:29 PM. Reason: added terms for Kris
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in Technorati
The Following 17 Users Say Thank You to highstyleinc For This Useful Post:
b1aze5 (May 11th, 2008), bornover (April 10th, 2008), Carlan (May 2nd, 2008), clubdugong (May 18th, 2008), funtimesx (March 14th, 2008), indigoclothing (April 8th, 2008), MikenDella (April 22nd, 2008), Mudskii (May 7th, 2008), OranjeDutch (March 5th, 2008), Peargirl (March 14th, 2008), ragees (May 17th, 2008), Ro-N-Glo (March 30th, 2008), Rodney (March 10th, 2008), surf-skate-snow (April 9th, 2008), Tasha (August 2nd, 2008), tshirt0mania (August 5th, 2008), wovenwings (March 2nd, 2008)
Old April 24th, 2007 Apr 24, 2007 7:25:05 AM -   #2 (permalink)
T-Shirt Lover
T-Shirt Fan

LadyFingers's Avatar
 
You can call me: Lady
Member Since: Feb 2007
Location: los angeles
Posts: 53
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts


Default Re: T-shirt terms you may need to know before buying

this is a great idea and a great resource. don't forget ring spun vs. combed? is that the other kind? combed cotton? and double stitched seams, and preshrunk?
__________________
I am not a woman. I am a man. It's just a nickname. Honest.
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in Technorati
Old April 24th, 2007 Apr 24, 2007 8:46:59 AM -   #3 (permalink)
T-Shirt Lover
T-Shirt Master
Thread Starter


highstyleinc's Avatar
 
You can call me: Kris
Member Since: Apr 2007
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 316
Thanks: 0
Thanked 62 Times in 19 Posts


Default Re: T-shirt terms you may need to know before buying

Quote:
Originally Posted by LadyFingers
this is a great idea and a great resource. don't forget ring spun vs. combed? is that the other kind? combed cotton? and double stitched seams, and preshrunk?
Thanks! I added the terms you mentioned as well as a few others. Pre shrunk is mentioned under garment washed.
__________________
http://www.highstyleproductions.com
custom apparel manufacturing for small companies
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in Technorati
Old April 24th, 2007 Apr 24, 2007 8:53:22 AM -   #4 (permalink)
T-Shirt Lover
T-Shirt Aficionado

TenaciousTees's Avatar
 
You can call me: moses
Member Since: Dec 2005
Location: AZ
Posts: 230
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts


Default Re: T-shirt terms you may need to know before buying

thank you for this info. I appreciated.
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in Technorati
Old April 24th, 2007 Apr 24, 2007 9:19:52 AM -   #5 (permalink)
T-Shirt Lover
T-Shirt Wizard

csquared's Avatar
 
You can call me: Chris
Member Since: Sep 2006
Posts: 504
Thanks: 6
Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts


Default Re: T-shirt terms you may need to know before buying

Kris awesome post
__________________

 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in Technorati
Old April 24th, 2007 Apr 24, 2007 3:49:39 PM -   #6 (permalink)
Senior Member
T-Shirt Mogul


tim3560's Avatar
 
You can call me: Tim
Member Since: Jan 2007
Location: Danville, VA
Posts: 1,155
Thanks: 22
Thanked 31 Times in 26 Posts


Default Re: T-shirt terms you may need to know before buying

Awesome job, very helpful. I was wondering about several of those recently.
__________________
Hard labor kills, make t-shirts instead.
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in Technorati
Old April 24th, 2007 Apr 24, 2007 4:46:40 PM -   #7 (permalink)
T-Shirt Lover
T-Shirt Master
Thread Starter


highstyleinc's Avatar
 
You can call me: Kris
Member Since: Apr 2007
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 316
Thanks: 0
Thanked 62 Times in 19 Posts


Default Re: T-shirt terms you may need to know before buying

Grrrr..... I was going to add more, but I see you can only edit a couple times
__________________
http://www.highstyleproductions.com
custom apparel manufacturing for small companies
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in Technorati
Old April 24th, 2007 Apr 24, 2007 4:52:25 PM -   #8 (permalink)
Administrator
Certified T-Shirt Junkie

Rodney's Avatar
 
You can call me: Rodney
Member Since: Nov 2004
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 19,354
Thanks: 477
Thanked 936 Times in 639 Posts
Blog Entries: 4


Default Re: T-shirt terms you may need to know before buying

Quote:
Originally Posted by highstyleinc
Grrrr..... I was going to add more, but I see you can only edit a couple times
Feel free to post the new terms in this thread as a new post. I can add them to the original post.

The "edit message" feature is disabled after a day has passed.
__________________
Rodney Blackwell - T-Shirt Links Directory - T-Shirt Countdown

 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in Technorati
Old April 24th, 2007 Apr 24, 2007 5:04:49 PM -   #9 (permalink)
T-Shirt Lover
T-Shirt Master
Thread Starter


highstyleinc's Avatar
 
You can call me: Kris
Member Since: Apr 2007
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 316
Thanks: 0
Thanked 62 Times in 19 Posts


Default Re: T-shirt terms you may need to know before buying

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodney
Feel free to post the new terms in this thread as a new post. I can add them to the original post.

The "edit message" feature is disabled after a day has passed.
Thanks Rodney. I will just add the remaining terms by replying with quote so you dont have to place them in order.
__________________
http://www.highstyleproductions.com
custom apparel manufacturing for small companies
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in Technorati
Old April 24th, 2007 Apr 24, 2007 5:16:51 PM -   #10 (permalink)
T-Shirt Lover
T-Shirt Master
Thread Starter


highstyleinc's Avatar
 
You can call me: Kris
Member Since: Apr 2007
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 316
Thanks: 0
Thanked 62 Times in 19 Posts


Default Re: T-shirt terms you may need to know before buying

There may be more if anyone can think of anything else to add.
__________________
http://www.highstyleproductions.com
custom apparel manufacturing for small companies

Last edited by Rodney; April 24th, 2007 at 05:30 PM. Reason: removed duplicate - added to original post above
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in Technorati
Old April 26th, 2007 Apr 26, 2007 9:22:13 AM -   #11 (permalink)
T-Shirt Lover
T-Shirt Fan

LadyFingers's Avatar
 
You can call me: Lady
Member Since: Feb 2007
Location: los angeles
Posts: 53
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts


Default Re: T-shirt terms you may need to know before buying

heather, slim fit/athletic fit, missy vs. junior
__________________
I am not a woman. I am a man. It's just a nickname. Honest.
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in Technorati
Old April 26th, 2007 Apr 26, 2007 9:26:28 AM -   #12 (permalink)
T-Shirt Lover
T-Shirt Fan

LadyFingers's Avatar
 
You can call me: Lady
Member Since: Feb 2007
Location: los angeles
Posts: 53
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts


Default Re: T-shirt terms you may need to know before buying

distressed and vintage ? I still don't know what a feeder stripe is based on this definition and I don't know if I agree with the definition of Registration unless registration and registration marks are different
__________________
I am not a woman. I am a man. It's just a nickname. Honest.
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in Technorati
Old April 26th, 2007 Apr 26, 2007 10:16:59 AM -   #13 (permalink)
T-Shirt Lover
T-Shirt Master
Thread Starter


highstyleinc's Avatar
 
You can call me: Kris
Member Since: Apr 2007
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 316
Thanks: 0
Thanked 62 Times in 19 Posts


Default Re: T-shirt terms you may need to know before buying

Quote:
Originally Posted by LadyFingers
distressed and vintage ? I still don't know what a feeder stripe is based on this definition and I don't know if I agree with the definition of Registration unless registration and registration marks are different
You sure are picky Mr. LadyFingers LOL j/k....

Feel free to add your definition, I won't mind

I can't edit anymore, but Rodney said he would add in extra definitions if needed.
__________________
http://www.highstyleproductions.com
custom apparel manufacturing for small companies
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in Technorati
Old April 26th, 2007 Apr 26, 2007 5:16:58 PM -   #14 (permalink)
T-Shirt Lover
T-Shirt Fan

T D Homa's Avatar
 
You can call me: Tim
Member Since: Aug 2006
Location: Connecticut, USA
Posts: 70
Thanks: 11
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts


Default Re: T-shirt terms you may need to know before buying

High Styles many thanks for the list of terms, I've been working in the retail industries as a sales associate for several years now and didn't know about have of those terms I really appreciate what you did. Of course I do work mostly in footwear that could be why but never the less it truely was very informative.

Thanks,
Tim
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in Technorati
Old May 2nd, 2007 May 2, 2007 3:07:54 PM -   #15 (permalink)
T-Shirt Lover
T-Shirt Aficionado

feilong's Avatar
 
You can call me: Randy
Member Since: Jan 2007
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 168
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post


Default Re: T-shirt terms you may need to know before buying

very valuable post, Thanks A lot!
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in Technorati
The Following User Says Thank You to feilong For This Useful Post:
sunrise (March 10th, 2008)

Tags: , , , , , ,



This is a discussion about T-shirt terms you may need to know before buying that was posted in the General T-Shirt Selling Discussion section of the forums.

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules

Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off