Printing & Decoration Glossary: Your Complete Guide to Industry Terms
, by Murat Ayata, 7 min reading time
Complete glossary of printing and decoration terms for branded apparel. Learn embroidery, screen printing, heat transfer, and industry terminology to make informed decisions about your custom apparel projects.
Understanding printing and decoration terminology helps you make informed decisions about your branded apparel. This comprehensive glossary explains the terms you'll encounter when working with Print-View.
Decoration Methods
Embroidery
The process of stitching thread directly into fabric to create logos, text, or designs. Offers durability, texture, and a premium appearance.
Screen Printing
A printing method where ink is pushed through a mesh screen onto fabric. Each color requires a separate screen. Ideal for bold graphics and large quantities.
Heat Transfer
A decoration method where designs are printed on special paper or vinyl, then heat-pressed onto fabric. Perfect for detailed graphics and individual names/numbers.
Sublimation
A process where dye is transferred into polyester fabric using heat, becoming part of the material itself. Creates vibrant, full-color designs that never crack or peel.
Stamping (Hot Stamping)
A technique using heat and pressure to apply metallic foil or textured designs to fabric, leather, or other materials. Creates elegant, sophisticated branding.
Direct-to-Garment (DTG)
Digital printing directly onto fabric using specialized inkjet technology. Excellent for complex, full-color designs and small quantities.
Tackle Twill
Layered fabric letters and numbers sewn onto garments. The traditional decoration method for sports jerseys, offering durability and classic appearance.
Embroidery Terms
Stitch Count
The total number of stitches in an embroidered design. Higher stitch counts typically mean more detail and longer production time.
Digitizing
The process of converting artwork into a digital embroidery file that machines can read. Includes programming stitch types, directions, and densities.
3D Puff Embroidery
Embroidery technique using foam underneath stitches to create raised, dimensional logos. Popular for caps and bold branding.
Flat Embroidery
Standard embroidery stitched directly onto fabric without added dimension. The most common embroidery style.
Appliqué
A technique where fabric pieces are sewn onto garments, then outlined with embroidery. Reduces stitch count for large designs and adds texture.
Backing (Stabilizer)
Material placed behind fabric during embroidery to support stitches and prevent puckering. Removed or remains depending on type.
Underlay
Foundation stitches sewn before the visible design to stabilize fabric and create a smooth surface for top stitches.
Satin Stitch
Closely spaced stitches that create a smooth, shiny appearance. Commonly used for lettering and filling small areas.
Fill Stitch
Stitches used to fill large areas of a design. Can be angled in different directions for visual interest.
Running Stitch
Single line of stitches used for outlines, fine details, and underlays.
Screen Printing Terms
Spot Color
Each individual color in a screen-printed design. A three-color design uses three separate screens.
Separation
The process of dividing artwork into individual colors for screen printing. Each color becomes a separate screen.
Plastisol Ink
The most common screen printing ink. PVC-based, durable, and sits on top of fabric. Requires heat curing.
Water-Based Ink
Eco-friendly ink that soaks into fabric fibers rather than sitting on top. Creates a softer feel but may be less vibrant on dark fabrics.
Discharge Printing
A technique that removes dye from fabric and replaces it with new color. Creates ultra-soft prints on dark garments.
Flash Cure
Partially curing ink between colors during multi-color printing to prevent colors from mixing.
Underbase
A white or light-colored layer printed first on dark garments to make colors appear vibrant and true.
Squeegee
The tool used to push ink through the screen mesh onto fabric.
Mesh Count
The number of threads per inch in a screen. Higher mesh counts create finer detail; lower counts allow more ink through.
Registration
The alignment of multiple colors in a screen-printed design. Proper registration ensures crisp, clean prints.
Design & Artwork Terms
Vector Art
Artwork created with mathematical paths rather than pixels. Can be scaled infinitely without losing quality. Required for most decoration methods.
Raster Image
Artwork made of pixels (like photos). Can lose quality when enlarged. Needs conversion to vector for most decoration.
PMS (Pantone Matching System)
Standardized color matching system ensuring consistent colors across different materials and processes.
CMYK
Color model using Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. Used in full-color printing processes.
RGB
Color model using Red, Green, and Blue. Used for digital displays but must be converted for printing.
Resolution
The detail in an image, measured in DPI (dots per inch). Higher resolution means more detail. 300 DPI minimum recommended for printing.
Bleed
Extra artwork extending beyond the trim edge to ensure no white borders after cutting.
Knockout
Removing background colors where foreground elements appear, preventing color overlap.
Overprint
Printing one color on top of another, allowing colors to mix.
Apparel & Fabric Terms
Blank Goods
Undecorated apparel ready for customization.
Garment Dyed
Fabric dyed after the garment is constructed, creating unique, soft colors with vintage appearance.
Moisture-Wicking
Fabric technology that pulls sweat away from skin to the fabric surface where it evaporates. Essential for athletic wear.
Performance Fabric
Technical materials designed for athletic use, featuring moisture-wicking, stretch, UV protection, or other functional properties.
Tri-Blend
Fabric combining three materials (typically cotton, polyester, and rayon) for softness, durability, and drape.
Ring-Spun Cotton
Cotton fibers twisted into very fine, strong, soft yarn. Creates smoother, more durable fabric than standard cotton.
Combed Cotton
Cotton treated to remove short fibers and impurities, resulting in softer, stronger fabric.
GSM (Grams per Square Meter)
Measurement of fabric weight. Higher GSM means heavier, more substantial fabric.
Production Terms
Setup Fee
One-time charge for preparing artwork, creating screens, or digitizing embroidery. Often waived for reorders.
Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)
The smallest number of items required for an order. Varies by decoration method and product.
Run Charge
The per-item cost for decoration after setup fees.
Color Change Fee
Additional charge when switching thread or ink colors during production.
Rush Production
Expedited production for faster turnaround, typically with additional fees.
Proof (Mock-up)
A digital or physical sample showing how the final product will look before full production begins.
Strike-Off
A physical sample of the actual decoration on the actual product for approval before production.
Production Time
The time required to complete decoration after artwork approval, not including shipping.
Quality & Finishing Terms
Color-Fast
Fabric or decoration that resists fading when washed or exposed to light.
Wash-Fast
Decoration that maintains quality and appearance through repeated washing.
Puckering
Unwanted fabric gathering around embroidery or decoration, usually caused by improper stabilization.
Registration Marks
Small marks used to align multiple colors or decoration elements. Removed from final product.
Trim
Cutting away excess backing, threads, or material after decoration.
Quality Control (QC)
Inspection process ensuring all items meet quality standards before shipping.
Specialty Decoration Terms
Foil Stamping
Applying metallic or holographic foil to fabric using heat and pressure for premium, eye-catching decoration.
Rhinestones
Decorative crystals heat-pressed onto fabric for sparkle and dimension.
Laser Engraving
Using lasers to etch designs into leather, metal, or wood products.
Debossing
Pressing a design into material to create a recessed impression.
Embossing
Pressing a design to create a raised impression on material.
Patches
Embroidered or woven designs created separately, then sewn or heat-pressed onto garments.
Order & Logistics Terms
Reorder
Ordering the same design and products as a previous order. Often qualifies for waived setup fees.
Add-On Order
Additional items ordered after initial production, using the same artwork and setup.
Spec Sample
A sample garment in the correct size, color, and brand for customer approval before decoration.
Bulk Order
Large quantity order, often qualifying for volume discounts.
Drop Ship
Shipping directly to end recipients rather than to a single location.
Common Abbreviations
- DTG: Direct-to-Garment
- DTF: Direct-to-Film (heat transfer method)
- PMS: Pantone Matching System
- MOQ: Minimum Order Quantity
- QC: Quality Control
- GSM: Grams per Square Meter
- DPI: Dots per Inch
- AI: Adobe Illustrator (vector file format)
- EPS: Encapsulated PostScript (vector file format)
- PNG: Portable Network Graphics (raster file format)
- JPEG/JPG: Joint Photographic Experts Group (raster file format)
Still Have Questions?
This glossary covers the most common terms you'll encounter when ordering custom branded apparel from Print-View. If you come across a term not listed here or need clarification on any aspect of the decoration process, our team is always happy to explain.
Understanding these terms helps you communicate your vision clearly, make informed decisions about decoration methods, and get exactly what you want from your branded apparel project.
Contact Print-View today—we speak your language and deliver your vision.
