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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