When you’re diving into the world of custom shorts manufacturing, whether for a new clothing brand, sports team, or corporate event, you’ll encounter industry-specific terms that can feel overwhelming at first. Understanding these manufacturing terms empowers you to communicate confidently, avoid costly mistakes, and bring your product vision to life smoothly.
At Ninghow Apparel, we make custom shorts production simple, but we also believe knowledge is power. Here’s a clear, approachable glossary of essential shorts manufacturing terms you should know.
Fabric and Material Terms
1. GSM (Grams per Square Meter)
- A measure of fabric weight and thickness.
- Higher GSM = heavier, denser fabric (great for premium shorts).
2. Woven vs. Knit
- Woven fabrics: Tight, structured (ideal for chino shorts, cargo shorts).
- Knit fabrics: Stretchy, flexible (ideal for athletic or casual shorts).
3. Twill
- A durable woven fabric with a diagonal pattern, often used for casual or work shorts.
4. Spandex/Elastane
- A stretchy fiber added to fabrics for flexibility, common in athletic and fitted shorts.
Design and Construction Terms
5. Pattern
- The template used to cut fabric pieces that are sewn together to make the shorts.
6. Inseam
- The measurement from the crotch seam down to the bottom of the leg.
- Critical for determining short length (e.g., 5-inch inseam vs. 9-inch inseam).
7. Rise
- The distance from the crotch seam to the top of the waistband.
- High-rise, mid-rise, and low-rise styles affect fit and comfort.
8. Gusset
- A panel sewn into the crotch area to improve range of motion and reduce stress.
- Common in performance and hiking shorts.
9. Flatlock Stitching
- A sewing technique that joins two pieces of fabric edge-to-edge without overlapping.
- Reduces chafing, often used in sports shorts.
Customization and Decoration Terms
10. Sublimation Printing
- A method that embeds ink directly into synthetic fabrics.
- Perfect for all-over colorful designs without cracking or fading.
11. Screen Printing
- Traditional printing method ideal for bold logos or designs on shorts.
12. Embroidery
- Decorative stitching for logos, patches, or brand names.
- Adds a premium, textured look.
13. Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)
- A method of applying designs using a vinyl sheet and heat press.
- Good for simple logos or personalization.
Production and Sourcing Terms
14. MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
- The smallest number of units a manufacturer requires per order.
- At Ninghow Apparel, we offer low MOQs to help brands start small.
15. Lead Time
- The time from order confirmation to finished production.
- Includes sourcing, sampling, production, and shipping.
16. Sampling
- Creating a prototype of the shorts before mass production to verify design, fit, and quality.
17. Cut and Sew
- Refers to custom production where fabric is cut and stitched based on your specific design, unlike ready-made blank shorts.
18. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)
- A company that manufactures products based on another company’s specifications.
- Ninghow Apparel acts as your OEM partner for custom shorts.
Packaging and Finishing Terms
19. Private Label
- Products manufactured by one company but branded under another’s label.
- We can add your logo, custom tags, and packaging.
20. QC (Quality Control)
- Inspections during and after production to ensure shorts meet required standards.
Real-World Example
Client: Outdoor Apparel Brand
Challenge: Needed custom hiking shorts with specific gusseted crotch, durable fabric, and sublimated branding.
Solution: Ninghow Apparel helped develop the pattern, sourced a high-GSM nylon blend, included a gusset for better movement, and sublimated the brand logo. Result? A rugged, stylish, high-performance short ready for adventure.
Final Thoughts
Learning these shorts manufacturing terms gives you the tools to:
- Clearly articulate your ideas to manufacturers
- Make faster, smarter decisions
- Avoid costly misunderstandings
- Launch your product with confidence
At Ninghow Apparel, we’re committed to making the manufacturing process simple, transparent, and successful for brands of all sizes. Whether you’re creating sport shorts, beach shorts, hiking shorts, or casual fashion pieces, we’re here to bring your vision to life — stitch by stitch!
Related reading
What Does a Shorts Manufacturer Actually Do?
How to Choose the Right Shorts Manufacturer for Your Brand