Recently, I noticed that many industry and non-industry apparel sites offer a glossary of terms or icons to further explain their products and how they create them. Ash City defines collection names, Lululemon offers A to Z product terms, Stahls’ ID Direct lists heat-printing terms. I collected the top terms you need to know to sell apparel in the promotional industry in 2013. Don’t forget the basics (V-neck, button-down collar, moisture-wicking, princess seams, etc.). Just add these to your repertoire.
No C.O.E
You may have seen the videos Bella+Canvas showed at trade shows in the last year, but maybe you missed them so here’s a refresher. Carded Open End (COE) cotton is a cheaper way to create T-shirts, leading to scratchier, shorter-lived tees. 100 percent combed and ring-spun organic cotton creates longer-lasting, softer shirts–and therefore longer-lasting imprints. Turn to the Bella+Canvas for the full description of what “No Carded Open End” means.
Slub
Slub shirts have been increasing in popularity the last few years. Teens and tweens especially love this comfortable and trendy material. Slub literally means “to draw out and twist slightly,” which creates raised threads in a shirt and gives a different look and feel to the tees. Here is a good example.
Water-resistant
Sometimes this phrase sounds like a deterrent. It is only water-resistant, not waterproof? Technically, these terms can be used interchangeably for outerwear because nothing can be completely waterproof. “Water-resistant” is a lot better for a jacket than “sponge-like in its obsessive absorption of water.”
Anorak
I wanted to list this one because I had no idea what it was when someone mentioned it a few months ago. Merriam-Webster defines it as “a usually pullover hooded jacket long enough to cover the hips.” Sure enough, Promo Marketing search pulled up a few examples. It is a good term to know as you start working on your cold-weather programs.
Pantone Matching System (PMS)
This is a basic industry term, but it is worthy of note. When a supplier notes PMS color abilities, this is what they are referring to. Stahls’ and Pantone are good sources for this information. The differences in coloration between High Risk Red and Ribbon Red are slight, but they make the difference to your client and their logo. You can search the colors by yourself with this.
That is all for now, but I’ll continue to search for terms. If you have any to add, please list them in the comments or email me.
