Textile Industry Glossary
Your complete reference for textile terms, yarns, fabrics, quality, and trade.
Yarn Terms
Ne (English Cotton Count)
The number of 840 yard hanks in one pound of yarn. Higher Ne count means finer yarn. Common range: Ne 6/1 to Ne 80/1.
Learn about Yarns →Carded Yarn
Yarn produced through carding only, removing short fibers and impurities. Cost effective with good strength.
Learn about Carded Yarn →Combed Yarn
Yarn that undergoes additional combing after carding, removing more short fibers. Superior smoothness, strength, and uniformity. Premium quality.
Learn about Combed Yarn →Open End / Rotor Spun Yarn
Yarn produced using rotor spinning, faster and more cost effective than ring spinning. Good uniformity, slightly harsher hand feel.
Learn about Open End Yarn →Ring Spun Yarn
Yarn produced using ring spinning, traditional method creating stronger, smoother yarns with better hand feel.
Melange Yarn
Yarn created by blending fibers of different colors before spinning, creating a unique heathered or mottled effect.
Learn about Melange Yarn →Blended Yarn
Yarn combining two or more fiber types, e.g., cotton and polyester, to achieve specific properties.
Learn about Blended Yarn →Greige / Grey Yarn
Yarn in its unfinished, undyed state as it comes from the spinning process.
Fabric Terms
GSM (Grams per Square Meter)
Standard measure of fabric weight. Higher GSM = heavier, more substantial fabric. Essential for specifying fabric density.
Use GSM Converter →Greige / Grey Fabric
Unfinished woven or knitted fabric straight from the loom or knitting machine, ready for dyeing and finishing.
Learn about Grey Fabric →Knitted Fabric
Fabric created by interlocking loops of yarn, stretchy, soft, and comfortable. Used for t shirts, activewear, and casual clothing.
Learn about Knitted Fabric →Woven Fabric
Fabric created by interlacing warp (lengthwise) and weft (crosswise) threads. Durable and structured. Used for shirts, suits, and home textiles.
Warp & Weft
Warp = lengthwise threads in woven fabric. Weft = crosswise threads interlaced with warp.
Denim
Rugged cotton twill textile with indigo dyed warp and white weft, iconic fabric for jeans.
Learn about Denim Fabric →Technical Fabric
High performance fabric engineered for industrial, medical, or specialty applications, strength, durability, chemical resistance, or other properties.
Learn about Technical Fabric →Quality & Inspection Terms
AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit)
The maximum number of defects considered acceptable in a batch. Industry standard for textile inspection. Defined as a percentage.
Learn about Quality Inspection →In Line Inspection
Quality checks performed during production to catch and correct issues before the product is complete.
Learn about In Line Inspection →Pre Shipment Inspection (PSI)
Final quality inspection before the container is loaded, AQL based inspection on the finished product.
Learn about Pre Shipment Inspection →Lab Dip
A small sample of fabric dyed to match your specific color, approved before production begins.
Learn about Sampling →Strike Off
Fabric sample showing color, pattern, and finish, used for color and design approval.
Learn about Sampling →PP Sample (Pre Production Sample)
The final sample produced using the same materials and processes as bulk production, final approval before production starts.
Learn about Sampling →Trade & Export Terms
Incoterms
International commercial terms defining buyer and seller responsibilities for shipping, insurance, and risk. Includes FOB, CIF, EXW, and more.
Learn about Shipping →FOB (Free on Board)
Seller delivers goods to the port and loads them. Buyer assumes risk and cost once loaded.
Learn about Shipping →CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight)
Seller covers cost, insurance, and freight to the destination port. Buyer assumes risk once goods reach the destination port.
Learn about Shipping →EXW (Ex Works)
Buyer is responsible for all costs and risk from the seller's factory door.
Learn about Shipping →Certificate of Origin
Official document certifying the country of manufacture, required for import duty assessment and GSP+ claims.
Learn about Export Support →GSP+
Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus, preferential duty access to EU markets for compliant products. Pakistan is a GSP+ beneficiary.
Learn about EU Sourcing →MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
The minimum quantity a supplier requires per order. Varies by product type and mill.
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