Textile Terminology Guide

This terminology dictionary covers the essential vocabulary of the textile industry, from raw materials to finished products, from technical specifications to international trade. Whether you're a buyer sourcing fabrics, a manufacturer communicating with clients, or a professional entering the industry, this guide provides the foundational knowledge you need.

How to Use This Guide

The terminology is organized into eight topic areas, each covering a distinct aspect of textile production and trade. You can browse by topic to explore related concepts together, or use the search function on the main terminology page to find specific terms.

Topics Overview

Fabric Types

Understanding fabric types is fundamental to textile sourcing. This section covers the journey from greige fabric (raw, unfinished material) through various finished forms including peachskin, blackout fabric, and recycled polyester. Learn how different processing pathways create fabrics suited for specific applications.

Weave Types

The weave structure determines a fabric's appearance, hand feel, and performance. Explore the three fundamental weaves—plain, twill, and satin—along with specialty constructions like jacquard and dobby. Understanding weave types helps you specify the right construction for your application.

Printing Methods

Fabric printing transforms solid textiles into patterned products. This section covers major printing technologies including digital printing, rotary screen printing, and heat transfer printing. Each method has distinct advantages for different design types, quantities, and quality requirements.

Fabric Finishes

Finishing treatments enhance fabric performance and appearance. Learn about protective finishes like stain-resistant and flame-retardant, comfort treatments like softener finish, and dimensional stability processes like sanforizing. This section also covers pre-treatment stages including PFD and RFD.

Technical Specs

Technical specifications provide the common language for quality communication. Master essential measurements including GSM (fabric weight), thread count, color fastness, and shrinkage rate. This section also covers pre-production approval samples like lab dip and strike-off.

Equipment

Understanding textile machinery helps you communicate effectively with manufacturers. This section covers weaving equipment from rapier looms to jacquard looms, plus preparation machinery like warping machines and sizing machines.

Trade & Export

International textile trade operates on standardized terminology. Learn essential Incoterms like FOB, CIF, and DDP, payment methods including Letter of Credit, and critical documentation such as Bill of Lading and Certificate of Origin. This section also covers order planning concepts like MOQ and lead time.

ESG

Environmental and social responsibility increasingly drives textile sourcing decisions. Understand key certifications including GRS, GOTS, OEKO-TEX, and Bluesign. Learn about sustainability concepts like circular economy, carbon footprint, and supply chain transparency.

Getting Started

If you're new to textile terminology, we recommend starting with these foundational terms:

1. GSM — The standard measurement for fabric weight
2. Greige Fabric — Understanding raw materials
3. FOB — The most common trade term
4. GRS — The leading sustainability certification

From there, explore the topics most relevant to your work. Each term page includes related terms to help you build connected knowledge across the terminology landscape.