Textile Trade Terms Quiz: GSM, Warp, Greige, MOQ and More

Terms about the fabric itself

• GSM (grams per square metre) is fabric weight. Higher GSM means heavier, thicker fabric: a light georgette may be well under 100 GSM, a heavy cotton for bottoms much more.
• Warp yarns run along the length of the fabric; weft yarns run across the width.
• Selvedge is the self-finished edge along the length of the fabric that stops it from fraying.
• Bias is the diagonal direction, at 45° to the warp and weft. Fabric stretches most on the bias, which is why bias-cut garments drape so well.

Terms about stage and supply

• Greige or grey fabric is cloth straight from the loom, before dyeing, printing or finishing.
• MOQ (minimum order quantity) is the smallest order a seller will accept, such as one catalogue or 100 metres.
• Dye lot is one batch of dyeing. Shades can vary slightly between lots, so buy all of one colour from the same lot.
• Running fabric (running material) is fabric sold by the metre from a roll, rather than in pre-cut pieces.
• Blouse piece is the unstitched fabric that comes with a saree for stitching the blouse.

Use these terms when you buy

Ask for GSM when comparing two "similar" fabrics at different prices, check the MOQ before you plan your order, and ask for the lot number when you reorder a colour. Then work out your landed cost and selling price with the margin calculator.