This glossary defines the decoration, artwork, garment and ordering terms you will meet when buying custom apparel. Each entry is short and plain. Where a term touches Arklavo, we say how.
B
Blank: an undecorated garment, before any logo is added.
C
Combed cotton: cotton with short fibers removed before spinning, which gives a smoother, softer fabric.
Crewneck: a garment with a round, close-fitting neckline and no collar.
D
Digitizing: converting artwork into a stitch file that an embroidery machine can follow.
DPI: dots per inch, a measure of image resolution. Higher DPI means a sharper print.
DTF: direct-to-film printing, where a design is printed on film and transferred to fabric. Arklavo offers it on select items.
DTG: direct-to-garment printing, where ink is printed straight onto fabric. It suits full-color art on cotton. See DTG printing.
E
Embroidery: a design stitched into fabric with thread. See embroidery services.
EPS: a vector file format used for logos. Arklavo accepts it.
F
Fleece: a soft, warm, brushed fabric used for pullovers and jackets.
G
Garment-dyed: dyed after the garment is sewn, which gives a soft, slightly faded look.
GSM: grams per square meter, a measure of fabric weight. A higher number means a heavier fabric.
H
Heat press: a method that applies a transfer to a garment with heat and pressure. Arklavo uses it for names, numbers and performance fabrics. See heat press services.
L
Lead time: the time from order approval to delivery. For tight dates, see rush orders.
Left chest: the standard logo spot on the wearer's left, over the heart. See the logo placement guide.
M
Mockup: an image showing how a design will look on a garment.
Moisture-wicking: a fabric that pulls sweat away from the skin so it dries faster, common in sportswear.
N
No minimum: no required order quantity. Arklavo has none. See no minimum orders.
P
Piqué: a textured knit with a small waffle pattern, used for polo shirts.
PMS: Pantone Matching System, a standard code for matching a specific color.
Polyester: a synthetic fiber that resists wrinkles and dries fast, often used in performance wear.
Proof: a digital preview of your design on the garment. Arklavo sends one free, and nothing is made until you approve it. See proofs and approval.
R
Raglan: a sleeve that runs in one piece from the collar to the underarm, shown by a diagonal seam.
Raster file: an image built from pixels, such as a PNG or JPG. It can blur when enlarged.
Reorder: a repeat of an earlier order. Arklavo keeps your design on file.
Ring-spun: cotton yarn twisted and thinned into a finer thread, which gives a smoother, softer shirt.
S
Screen printing: a method that pushes ink through a mesh screen, one screen per color. Arklavo does not offer it.
Setup fee: a one-time charge some decorators add to prepare a job. Arklavo charges none. See pricing.
Softshell: a stretchy, wind-resistant jacket fabric.
Stitch count: the number of stitches in an embroidered design. More stitches mean a denser, larger logo.
SVG: a vector file format that scales without losing quality. Arklavo accepts it.
T
Tri-blend: a fabric made from three fibers, usually cotton, polyester and rayon, for a soft, drapey feel.
Twill: a fabric with a diagonal weave, common in caps and work jackets.
U
Unisex: a cut designed to fit men and women.
V
Vector file: artwork made of lines and shapes, so it can be resized without blur. Examples are SVG, AI and EPS. See the artwork guidelines.
Volume discount: a lower price per order at higher quantities. Arklavo applies 5% to 20% automatically from 10 pieces. See pricing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a vector and a raster file?
A vector file stays sharp at any size. A raster file is made of pixels and can blur when enlarged.
Which file types does Arklavo accept?
PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF, AI and EPS.
Does Arklavo offer screen printing?
No. We offer embroidery, DTG printing, heat press and DTF on select items.
What is a proof?
A free digital preview of your design. Nothing is produced until you approve it.
Do I need to know these terms to order?
No. Send your logo and tell us what you need, and we will guide you.
Still have a question? Request a quote and ask us.