Glossary of Terms


A

Acid Wash - a process in which a garment is treated with a bleach solution containing chlorine-soaked stones so that the color becomes faded and the material is softer.

Air mesh - a mesh that has multiple layers to allow air to pass through the fabric.

Airjet yarn - cotton and polyester garments which provide for a virtually "pill free" look, wash after wash.

Allen Solley placket - a one-piece placket that's hidden after being sewn. This process utilizes the existing fabric for the outside placket face. This is an upscale placket type.

ANSI - the American National Standards Institute establishes guidelines for safety; styles specifically meant to promote safety and visibility often are held to ANSI standards

Anti-microbial (anti-bacterial) - fabric that has either been chemically treated, or produced with a fiber that is inherently hostile to micro-organisms. Anti-microbial fabrics are resistant to, or inhibit the growth of organisms that can cause odors or deteriorate the fabric.

Anti-Static - A fabric treatment that does not allow the build-up of static electricity to occur when the fiber or fabric experiences friction or rubbing.

Award jacket - a baseball-style jacket with contrasting striped trim.

B

B-Dry Core - a category of Badger made out of 3.5-oz polyester with moisture-wicking and anti-microbial performance.

Badger Tech - a category of apparel of extremely soft fabric, as if ring-spun, combed cotton. All TECH performance is made out of a new 4.1-oz polyester and spandex performance fabric.

Ballistic nylon - a thick, durable, synthetic nylon fabric.

Banded self collar - a type of collar made of the same material as the shirt. The two basic kinds of this collar are the simulated, made of two pieces, or the true, made of four pieces.

Bar Tacks - a type of reinforcement stitching used in clothing to make sewn products stronger

Baseball shirt - a shirt style that features a crew collar, white body, and three-quarter-length raglan sleeves in a contrasting color.

Basket weave - a variation of the plain weave in which two or more threads are woven side by side to resemble a "basket" look. Fabrics have a loose construction and loose appearance.

Bedford Cord - a heavy fabric with a lengthwise ribbed weave, resembles corduroy

Besom pocket - reinforced top seam found on the pockets of golf shirts. This reinforced top seam keeps the pocket in shape and more durable.

Bi-Swing Shoulder - a generous fit across the shoulder for ease of movement

Bio-polished - A laundering process in which enzymes are added to create a soft finish, smoother appearing surface and reduced shrinkage.

Binding - a strip of material sewn or attached over or along the edge of something for protection, reinforcement or ornamentation.

Blanks - undecorated items or apparel; also refers to "blank" goods.

Breeze Knit - garment-washed cool knit. By garment washing, the cool knit gets a softer hand and reduced shrinkage.

Brim - a sun screen that goes all the way around a hat. An example would be a tennis hat.

Broadcloth - a close plain-weave fabric made of cotton, rayon or a blend of cotton or rayon with polyester.

BT5 - a category of Badger apparel made up of 6-oz., moisture-wicking and anti-microbial 100% poly performance fabric.

Buckram backing - stiff fabric used to give shape and form to items like caps, belts, etc. Also used to stabilize embroidery edges.

Burnout - usually a blended fabric (cotton/poly for instance) treated with a chemical to slightly dissolve one fiber in the cloth. The result is a sheer, lacy design often giving the fabric a vintage, worn-in feel. Because of this process, each garment is unique, and similar to tie-dyed or pigment-dyed fabric, there is often variations in the design and color. Examples of burnout tees are Canvas style 3601 and Bella style B8601.

C

Cabretta leather - a leather made from the skins of sheep that grow hair rather than wool, tougher than other sheepskins and used chiefly for gloves and shoes

Calendaring - essentially an ironing process that adds sheen to the fabric by the use of heavy rollers (or calendars), pressure and steam heat.

Canvas - strong, firm, heavyweight, and closely woven fabric. Usually made of cotton.

Cap sleeve - a very short sleeve that hangs over the shoulder but does not extend beyond the armhole on the underside, often used for ladies' fashion tees such as Anvil style 1441 or Bella style 8705

Carding - the manufacturing process of drawing out and arranging the cotton fibers in a parallel fashion while removing impurities in the fibers. Carding is less expensive and less labor intensive than combing cotton, but results in a slightly coarser texture.

Cationic Fabric - Undergoes a unique dyeing process involving positively-charged ions in the solution, causing the fabric's coloring to resist bleeding and fading

Chambray - a plain weave fabric, usually of cotton or rayon, or a blend of these.

Chino Cotton - A coarse twilled cotton fabric used for uniforms and sometimes work or sports clothes.

Circular Knit - created using a method in which the knitting is cast on and the circle of stitches is joined, forming a seamless tube.

Clean-finished placket - typically the interfacings of plackets are raw or edged, which means they can look ragged or uneven, particularly on light-colored shirts. By cutting the interfacing in a rectangle, turning the edges under and fusing them in place, there is a straight placket with no raw edges. All that shows inside the shirt is the smooth edge.

ClimaCool - a registered adidas term used to describe products made of fabric that withstand wind and rain, and keep moisture off the body and in the atmosphere

Coach's jacket - style of jacket, comparable to a basic windbreaker, with fold-over collar and slash pockets.

Color blocking - merchandising and/or cutting term whereby a certain type or block of colors ends up in the same place every time on the finished garment.

Colorfast - The ability of a print to withstand repeated laundering and cleaning.

Combed cotton - cotton yarn that has been combed to remove short fibers and to straighten or arrange longer fibers in parallel order.

Combing - a secondary cleansing process performed to remove additional impurities from the staple fibers after carding. This is a better, more refined cotton than carding.

Compacting - process that compacts the space between fabric fiber pockets. This will prevent cotton shrinkage. Comprehension straps - straps which securely hold the inner contents of a bag.

Compression molded - a solid, pre-formed molded panel that is created using compression.

Constructed - a constructed cap has buckram backing.

Cool knit - a variation of pique that results in a different texture and surface appearance. It resembles a "waffle" pattern.

Cotton sheeting - plain-weave cotton fabric, usually prelaundered, used for fashion sportswear. It's wrinkled to create crinkle cotton.

Crestable panels - panels that are available for custom branding.

Crew collar - a rounded, ribbed collar cut loose to the neck.

Crinkle cotton - wrinkled or puckered cotton obtained by cloth, construction or finishing. It is prelaundered and made from cotton finishing.

Crop top - a shirt style made to expose the midriff.

Cross cut - fabric knit on a pique machine, which is altered slightly to provide a unique stitch. The face of the fabric is two-toned, which gives it a dimensional, textured look and feel. The garment stitching will have a horizontal appearance rather than a vertical one.

Cross grain - this term is used for heavyweight fleece fabric. The fabric is sewn between ribs or panels on the side part of the garment for extra thickness and durability.

Crown - the upper-most part of the cap of a hat that is sewn to either a hatband, brim or sweat band.

CVC - chief value cotton; used in some blends of t-shirts for a fine, smooth feel

D

Dazzle - a lightweight fabric that easily allows the body to receive ventilation during physical activity. Dazzle fabric is distinguished by the pattern of tiny holes in the weave of the material. Often made of synthetic fibers as well as cotton/synthetic blends, the look of dazzle wear is usually somewhat sleek and shiny.

Debossed silicone - a stamped, soft silicone process versus a raised mold; this material is often used for colored bracelets

Denier - a scale for the density (largely related to thickness) of fibers in fabric. The higher the shown as denier, the thicker the fiber. For example, mesh athletic wear such as Badger's style B8529 use a lighter fiber (70 denier) for comfort and ease of movement, while UltraClub's Classic Briefcase style U1011 is made with thicker fibers (600 denier) for a stiffer fabric for durability and shape retention.

Denim - a basic or cotton or blended fabric with right- or left-hand twill constructions. The wrap is usually dyed blue with a white filing.

pot Repair Tool - a useful tool for any golfer, this item is used to replace and mend any pots created in the grass with the swing of a club

Dobby - a decorative weave, usually geometric, that is woven into the fabric. Standard dobby fabrics are usually flat and relatively fine

Double-needle - a double row of stitching at the seam.

Draw cord - a cord or ribbon run through a hem or casing and pulled to tighten or close an opening or drawstring.

Drop seam - a seam that is cut and lays below the shoulder of the garment.

Drop tail - a design feature found in upscale products where the back of the garment is longer than the front, sometimes referred to as an "elongated" back.

DWR - a special finishing process to enhance longevity and effectiveness of water resistance (Durable Water Resistant)

E

Egyptian Cotton - Cultivated in Egypt's Nile River Valley, this cotton is considered the best cotton in the world. The particular growing season gives the cotton the longest and strongest fibers, making it ideal for weaving into smooth, strong yarn. Commonly used in high-end towels and linens.

End on end - a weave in which the warp yarn (the yarn running lengthwise) alternates between two colors.

Enzyme wash - washing process that uses a cellulose-based solution to obtain garments that appear to have been stonewashed or acid washed. The solution physically degrades the surface of the cotton fiber. The appearance and hand of the garment are identical to stonewashed and acid washed garments. However, the fabric surface is not damaged to the extent of a stonewashed or acid washed garment.

EVA molded - a type of foam with softness and flexibility that yet can be processed like other thermoplastics. The material has good barrier properties, low-temperature toughness, stress-crack resistance, hot-melt adhesive waterproof properties and resistance to UV radiation for maximum durability.

Expandable collar - the top button of a woven shirt is attached to an elastic band hidden under the fabric. This adds some stretch when buttoning the top button for more comfort on larger necks.

Eyelets - small holes generally finished with stitches or brass grommets

F

Fabric memory - a term used for cotton fabric. When washing instructions are followed, it will always come back looking as if it were brand new.

Face yarn - the exterior yarn of a fleece garment.

50/50 - 50 percent cotton/50 percent polyester fabric; also referred to as "polycotton".

Fine Gauge Knit - Ensures a smoother hand and fabric surface, allowing for better print.

Flat Knit - Welt knit fabric made on a flatbed-knitting frame as distinguished from tubular knit made on a circular frame.

Fleece - a fabric with a pile or napped surface, sometimes of a unit construction; commonly used in sweats.

Football jersey - a jersey shirt with a slight v-neck, stitched yoke and one-half-length to three-quarter-length sleeves.

French Terry - a variety of terry fabric, identified by an uncut looped pile on one side of the fabric; the other side is flat and smooth.

Fused lining - a lining that is fused to the two outer plies with solvent, heat and pressure. It's used to stabilize or stiffen parts of a garment, such as a pocket or collar.

G

Gabardine - a firm hard-finish durable fabric, twilled with diagonal ribbon

Garment wash - process of industrially washing garments after they have been manufactured to remove sizing; it also softens and pre-shrinks.

Grommet - an eyelet of firm material to strengthen or protect an opening.

Gusset - triangular inserts in sleeve seams to widen and strengthen.

H

Hand - quality or characteristic of fabrics perceived by sense of touch, e.g. softness, firmness, drapeability, fineness (i.e. its tactile qualities).

Hanger appeal - a retail term meaning very marketable or very appealing to a retail market; as in "looks appealing on the hanger"

Heat-seal label - tagless labels; the information displayed on a label is heat stamped or printed onto the garment to avoid an itchy attached label. (Badger, adidas and UltraClub are three examples of brands that do this)

Heather - a yarn that is spun using pre-dyed fibers. These fibers are blended together to give a particular look. (For example, black and white may be blended together to create a gray heathered yarn.) The term, heather, may also be used to describe the fabric made from heathered yarns.

Heavyweight - fabric heavier than 10 ounces per linear yard, equal to 1.60 yield. Standard weight in the industry is 8 ounces (2.0 yield) or lighter.

Henley style - shirt featuring a banded neck and button placket; may be ribbed.

Herringbone - a decorative pattern of rows of slanted parallel lines alternating direction row by row.

High cotton - type of cotton fabric that results in a soft hand. Therefore, it has little or no lint and a tighter knit, which makes for ideal screen printing.

High profile - determines the look of a cap. A high-profile cap's arch begins at 3 inches.

Honeycomb pique - a knit fabric that is characterized by a wider waffle-like appearance, which actually allows the wearer more comfort.

Hydrophilic or Hydrophilic finish - hydrophilic fibers absorb water easily, often used in moisture-management styles to aid in wicking and quick evaporation of perspiration

I

Indigo dyeing - indigo dye is a substance taken from the indigo plant. There are many chemical imitation indigo dyes. Indigo dye color can only be achieved through a process of dyeing where yarn is dipped into a dye bath and is then allowed to oxidize. The number of dips determines the depth of the indigo color-the more dips, the darker the color.

Interlock - a fine-gauge knit fabric produced by interlocking or interlocking stitches on a circular knit machine. Similar to a jersey, except both front and back of fabric look identical. Interlock is a variation of rib knit construction. The fabric is extremely soft, firm and absorbent.

J

Jacquard knit - dyed yarn knit on sophisticated equipment to produce a desired pattern and/or texture.

Jaspe pique - two color yarns create subtle tone variations on the surface of the fabric. This will allow exceptional embroidery surfaces.

Jersey - a type of fabric with a flat appearance, knit on a circular, single-knit machine; its principal distinction is that it is not a fabric with a distinct rib.

K

Kasha-lining - a lining principally for jackets featuring cotton flannel, napped face and imitation chambray back.

L

Lap shoulder - Lap shoulder - an infant's shirt where the back panel or body parts overlap the front panel at the neckline where the set-in sleeves start. See style R3400 Rabbit Skins Infant Lap Shoulder T-Shirt.

Linear - a form of measurement of fleece's weight. The higher the number, the heavier and warmer the fabric.

Lisle - high-quality cotton yarn made by plying yarns spun from long, combed staple.

Locker loop - a self-fabric loop sewn into the center of the back yoke seam for a functional styling detail.

Logo - an artistic interpretation of a company's sign or symbol. These figures can be copyrighted or trademarked. Permission is needed for duplication.

Low profile - determines the look of a cap. A low-profile cap's arch begins at 2 to 3 inches.

M

MAG pockets - magnetic access pockets.

Marbled - a texture that involves a body color with contrasting highlight flecks on the surface. These flecks give the garment a heather-like appearance.

Mercerization - a process that eliminates all of the small "hairs" of yarn, which adds to its luster. This yarn is then additionally run through a caustic solution, which further smoothes and adds gloss to the yarn surface by burning off additional fabric hairs.

Microfiber - very fine fibers, which give a unique appearance and soft hand. Microfiber fabrics are generally lightweight, resilient and resist wrinkling. They have a luxurious drape and the body retains its shape and resists pilling. They are also very strong and durable.

Mineral Wash - a process in which a garment is treated with a bleach solution containing chlorine-soaked stones so that the color becomes faded and the material is softer.

Mock turtleneck - a shortened version of the turtleneck where the neck of the garment does not fold over.

Moisture wicking - Moisture-wicking fabric actually draws moisture from perspiration away from the skin to the surface of the garment where it can evaporate more quickly and easily. Moisture-wicking styles, such as the UltraClub Cool & Dry line, are ideal not just for athletes and teams, but also for general wear because they help keep the wearers feeling fresh and dry

Muscle Tee - A casual shirt similar to a T-shirt but without sleeves, ostensibly worn to show off a muscular physique.

N

Nailhead woven - consists of a solid background and color and little pinheads' (or small nailheads) of fabric spaced at regular (and very small) intervals. The effect of this pattern is that the background color tends to overshadow the nailhead pattern.

Neoprene - a synthetic rubber that is resistant to oils and aging

NuBlend fleece - a three-end fleece made of 50% cotton and 50% polyester with an anti-pilling surface.

Nubuk - a synthetic leather with its finished surface buffed to a slight nap or suede-like appearance.

O

One-ply yarn - one strand of thread is used to form the yarn that is woven into terry loops.

Open-end yarn - a process that eliminates some manufacturing steps needed for ring-spun yarn. This cost-saving process is passed on to the garments produced.

Ounces per sq. yd - a measurement of fabric weight, a weight that customers usually ask for when making a comparison to competitive brands.

Oxford - soft, somewhat porous, cotton shirting weave that creates a soft, nubby texture.

P

PMS (Pantone Matching System) colors - A universally-recognized formula and code for a specific color that always uses the same combinations and proportions of primary colors to create it. PMS colors are specified by using a PMS identifying number taken from a PMS color chart. In the imprintable merchandise industry, PMS colors are often attached to a corporate logo to ensure that all products with said logo have a consistent color for it.

Peach finish - a soft hand (feel) usually obtained by sanding the fabric lightly; it can be achieved with chemical or laundry abrasion.

Pebble knit - Polyester pique with a subtle texture resembling cobblestones or pebbles.

Peruvian Pima Cotton - Peruvian Pima Cotton is often referred to as the "cashmere of cotton" the softest, smoothest, "silkiest" fabric you can wear. Shrinkage standard for Peruvian Pima fabrics is a maximum of 5 x 5 if the garment is washed following directions on the label.

PET recycled polyester - P.E.T. (polyethylene terephthalate) refers to a specific type of plastic often used in plastic bottles. In a 7-step process, bottles are reclaimed and made into polyester fabric. This fabric is used, for instance, in Anvil's style 450.

PFD - prepare for dyeing. It indicates that the garment has been specifically prepared for the garment-dyeing process.

Piece dying - fabrics that are dyed solid colors after they have been woven or knitted, but before they are sewn into a garment.

Pill resistant - The degree by which fabric is able to endure loss of appearance as a result of wear, abrasion, continued friction or rubbing on the surface of the fabric.

Pigment dyeing - a class of dye used on cotton or poly/cotton. Neon or fluorescent colors are done with pigments. Dyers also do a distressed look using pigments. Pigments have the least degree of fastness of all the dyes, but create the brightest colors. Pigment dyes will typically stay in the pastel range unless it's neon. You cannot deepen color with a pigment.

Pima cotton - high-quality yarn made by plying yarns spun from long combed staple.

Pinnies - sleeveless jerseys, often used in soccer or lacrosse practice. Pinnies are often two-color, reversible vests to help a practicing team know who the opposing players are.

Pinpoint oxford - two fine yarns that are wrapped together for a fine and luxurious hand.

Piping - a narrow tube of fabric, sometimes enclosing a cord, used for trimming seams and edges as an added fashion detail.

Pique - a knit fabric that is characterized by its waffle-like appearance.

Placket - the construction that forms the opening in the front of the shirt, allowing the wearer to put it on and take it off with ease.

Plain weave - simplest, most common of all basic weaves. The surface provides a smooth surface for printing.

Plastisol - A printing ink most commonly used on garments that contain a plasticizer and resin and will not air dry or air cure.

Polar fleece - knitted using 100% fine denier polyester yarns. The pile is napped on the front and back to promote a very soft hand with exceptional loft. This is a fine denier knit that also allows the fabric to dry quickly.

Polynosic - a type of microfiber that is a blend of polyester and rayon fibers and having a soft finish.

Poly viscose - a synthetic material similar to rayon, made of 65% polyester/35% viscose that creates a lightweight, soft hand fabric that's particularly popular in retail markets.

Poplin - a medium-to-heavyweight unbalanced plain weave. It is a spun yarn fabric that is usually piece dyed.

Powder dyeing - process that allows polyester to blend with cotton to give a garment a dyed appearance. Powder dyed garments ensure consistent color, wash after wash.

Preshrunk - fabrics that are preshrunk (usually cotton) are more likely to retain their shape and size because, before the garment is manufactured, the fabric is subjected to a shrinking process to reduce the amount of shrinking during laundering

PrintPro - fleece fabric construction with a two-end yarn system that allows for an increase in the amount of stitches per square yard.

PU construction - a synthetic split leather with a layer of polyurethane applied to the surface and then embossed.

Q

Quarter turned - an additional manufacturing process where the mill rotates 1/4 of a turn to put a crease on the side of the product rather then the front of the product.

R

Racerback - Denoting an article of clothing with a T-shaped back behind the shoulder blades to allow ease of movement in sports.

Raglan - a raglan sleeve is stitched under the arm and in two parallel lines leading from the armpit to the neck; it makes for ease of arm movement.

Ramie - a strong, staple fiber of cellulose yielded by the inner bark of the ramie plant. It's often used as a less expensive substitute for linen or cotton, and is usually blended with cotton, flax or silk.

Raw Serge Hem - This hem is achieved by sewing over the edge of one or two pieces of cloth while cutting to ensure an even, clean edge; also known as an "overlock' hem.

Reactive dye - special dye used on a garment which produces, when the label's wash instructions are followed, a more set-in color tone.

Reflective - polished surface for reflecting light

Resin treatment - the addition of thermosetting resins applied in the finishing process, used to control the shrinkage of a fabric and add durable press characteristics.

Reverse weave - a popular fabric in athletic sweatshirts; for example, many Champion sweatshirts are made with the grain of the fabric running sideways instead of vertically, and includes side panels to help maintain its shape and fight shrinking

Rib - a stretchy fabric normally used for trim. This stitch is formed by two sets of needles at right angles to each other. The face of the fabric appears to be the same as the backside.

Ring-spun yarn - yarn that is reproduced on ring frame equipment. This yarn produces a softer hand when knit.

Ringer tee - a shirt, usually white bodied, featuring ribbed crew neck and sleeve bands in a contrasting color.

S

Sand Wash - the process of washing fabric or garment with sand to soften and distress the look of the fabric

Sandwich hat - a hat where there is contrasting trim between the upper and lower part of the visor.

Scoop neck - a rounded neck, larger than a crewneck, but smaller than a boatneck.

Seamless collar - a collar that is knit in a circle and is set in circular. There are no joining seams on the collar, found in better-made t-shirts.

Self fabric collar - A collar that is constructed from the same material as the body of the garment.

Set-in sleeve - a style of sleeve that is sewn into the shoulder, as opposed to the neck.

Sheared - refers to the towel's finish. A sheared surface is created clipping the loops on one side of the towel. Sheared terry is often referred to as having a velour finish. The shearing process creates a plush and smooth finish, which is great for printing or embroidery. The weight of the fabric has a big impact on the overall appearance of the shear. A heavier weight fabric enhances the velour appearance because there is more material to shear.

Sheering - the minimal gathering where the fabric meets, creating a flowy, draping quality.

Shearling - Traditionally a sheepskin shorn close for a uniform length of wool fibers; a synthetic production of similar fabric for added moisture-wicking properties for year-round comfort.

Sheeting - a plain-weave cotton fabric usually made of carded yarns.

Sherpa - a knitted terry fabric that has been brushed and washed to raise the fibers for a fluffy, plush feel. The thick terry loops stay soft and absorbent over time.

Shoddy - clippings of extra fabric from the production of tees is gathered, sorted by color, then processed into a pulpy material called shoddy. This material is then respun into yarn and used to create recycled apparel.

Side seams - seams that join the front and back together. This feature is not found on T-shirts and some placket shirts.

Single-needle - a stitch, requiring a single needle and thread, characterized by its straight-line pathway. A single-needle shoulder seam has been finished with a visible row of stitching, single needle, for additional reinforcement and fashion.

Singles - a term that refers to the thread weight being used. A higher number of singles indicates a finer thread, resulting in a tighter weave and softer feel.

Slub yarn - When "slub" yarn is spun it forms intermittent lumps in the yarn. The lumps, called "slubs," appear thicker than the surrounding yarn when it is knit into fabric. It gives a burnout like appearance without the transparency and easier printability.

Snag Resistant - A fabric or fiber that is typically not susceptible to the formation of a small loop or hole caused by the tearing or catching of a sharp object; Reduced tendency to fray.

Solera polyester - polyester derived from corn, an eco-friendly material

Sonic weld logos - A type of logo treatment, where the graphic is applied without the use of stitches. A direct injection of material is applied to the fabric to create the logo.

Spandasol - an additive placed in printing ink to allow the dried ink design to stretch with the fabric (should be added to ink when printing on "burn-out" styles like Canvas 3601)

Sponge Fleece - a type of fleece that has a uniquely soft and spongy feel

Staff bag - a style of bag used on the PGA Tour and other professional tours.

Stain Release - Finishes that provide fabrics with a special quality that enables stains that have been ground in to clothing (such as oil, dirt, and others) to be easily washed out when laundered. This same feature also displays a quality to resist oily substances from attaching to surface areas.

Stain Resistant - A finish on fabric surface that repels water and certain oils. The liquid beads on the surface of the fabric instead of getting absorbed, thus preventing a stain.

Standard Athletic Team Colors - standards for all primary team colors to better control uniform standards; used to ensure consistency across product lines

Staple - the actual length of a cotton fiber.

Stonewash - a finishing process that creates a distressed appearance, including a softer texture, puckering at the seams and slight wrinkling. Garments are tumbled together with stones (usually pumice stones) in larger washers. This process is usually applied to indigo-dyed denim garments. Different sizes of stones can be used and length of washing time can be varied to achieve different effects.

Sublimation transfer - method of subliming a dye pattern, through the use of heat, onto polyester fabric from a paper carrier.

Sueded fleece - a very smooth and luxurious fleece that is made with an 80/20 cotton and polyester blend; a unique finishing process wherein the fabric is gently "sanded," which causes the fleece to become very soft.

T

Taffeta - a crisp plain-woven lustrous fabric of various fibers used especially for women's clothing

Taping - a design feature whereby a piece of fabric is used to cleanly cover a seam. The term is used when referring to shoulder-to-shoulder taping.

Taslan - 100% nylon fabrication with a water-resistant coating that has been woven as a twill and washed to provide a soft hand.

TempControl Technology - Unique mix of technology at fiber level helps stay cool or warm as needed by evaporating moisture faster and enhancing the drying rate.

Tencel - a fiber made from wood pulp. Tencel gives fabric a very soft, smooth and luxurious hand.

Thermoplastic - a plastic that is soft and pliable when heated without any change of the inherent properties.

Tipping - a dyed stripe in a contrasting color, often around the collar or sleeve hems of a polo to add a unique accent to the shirt's fashion.

TPR rubber - a specific form of rubber used on logos.

Triblend - a fabric made from 3 types of material (e.g. Bella B8413)

Tricot - a plain warp-knitted fabric of nylon, wool, rayon, silk, or cotton with a close elastic knit. Often used in athletic jerseys or as a lining material.

Tubular knit - a golf shirt style with no side seams. The bottom is rounded all around.

Twill - characterized by a diagonal rib. Twill weaves are used to produce a strong, durable, firm fabric.

Two-ply yarn - two strands of thread are used to form the yarn that is woven into terry loops.

U

Unconstructed - an unconstructed cap has a relaxed fit without backing. It fits closely to the wearer's head.

UPF - ultraviolet protection factor; refers to the amount of UV rays blocked by the fabric with a rating of UPF 50 blocking 100% of UVA and UVB rays. UPF and SPF ratings are not interchangeable.

V

V Patch - A "V"-shaped cutout fastened to the front neck for extra absorption.

Viscose fabric - fabric created by combining natural and manmade components. The most common textile that falls under this description is rayon. Silky in appearance and to the touch, viscose material tends to breathe the same way as cotton fabrics.

W

Warp Knit - Knitted using a method in which the yarn zigzags along the length of the fabric.

Waterproofness - the ability of fabric to withstand penetration by water. Conventional waterproof fabrics are generally coated with chemicals or laminated with a film that closes the pores in fabric. (See waterproof/breathable).

Waterproof/breathable - ability to keep water from penetrating but permits water vapor to pass through. There are over 200 fabrics of this type available today, offering a varied combination of waterproofness and water vapor permeability.

Water repellency - the ability to resist penetration by water. Not as rigorous a standard as waterproofness. Water repellent fabrics cause water to bead up on their surfaces while allowing insensible perspiration to pass through. Water beads up and rolls off a water-repellent fabric.

Water resistant - a treatment to fabric that actually allows water to "bead" and fall off a garment.

Weather resistant - a loose term referring primarily to a fabric's wind-resistant and water-repellent properties. Water-resistant fabrics are those that resist the penetration of water. The greater the force of impact as the water hits the fabric surface, the greater the likelihood that it will penetrate the fabric.

Welt cuffs - cuffs on short sleeve garments formed from a single ply of ribbed fabric with a finished edge. Fabric for welt cuffs is knit in a bolder stitch construction than that of standard 1 x 1 ribs.

Window pane - a checkered, plaid like pattern that is characterized by having vertical and horizontal lines that intersect, creating the appearance of a window pane.

WindPro - tested perforated umbrellas.

Woven - fabric constructed by the interlacing of two or more sets of yarns at right angles to each other.

Wrinkle-free - the basic process for imparting the wrinkle free finish into fabric involves applying a resin into the fabric, drying and curing at extremely high temperatures to the desired dimension, scouring to remove any residual chemicals, and final drying. The application and curing of wrinkle-free may occur before or after the garments are produced. "Precured wrinkle-free" means that the finish has been applied to the fabric before the garment has been manufactured. Because the "postcure wrinkle-free" means that the finish has been applied after the garment has been manufactured and because the "postcure wrinkle-free" process is set into the final, pressed garment, it is more popular.

X

Y

Yoke - contoured portion of a garment, usually at the shoulder or hip.

Z