Uniform & Branding Related Terms

Technical terms and what they mean. How your uniform branding works.

PMS COLOURS

Using the PMS Pantone colour guide makes it easier for your uniform supplier to manage your branding. Check out the below chart for a quick reference. Match the PMS colours to your logo and uniform colour.

PMS Colour Guide for Uniforms

COMMON FABRIC TERMS

Click a name to expand/hide the description.

Acetate

Acetate is soft and has a crisp feel. It has the lustrous appearance of silk and excellent appearance when draped. It is not a strong fibre, as its resistance to abrasion is poor. Resists shrinkage, moths, and mildew and does not absorb moisture readily.

Acrylic

Acrylic is a durable fibre with a soft, woolly feel. It has an uneven surface, making it different from most manufactured fibres. It comes in a variety of colours, and can be dyed easily. It is resistant to sun and chemicals.

Birdseye

Smooth, clear finish. Has small diamond-shaped figures with a dot in the centre of each.

BIZCOOL

Means that the properties of the fabrics draw moisture away from the body, through the fabric of the garment and allows it to evaporate into the open air keeping you cooler and drier.

Blend

The combination of two or more types of staple fibres and/or colours in one yarn. Blends are sometimes so intimate that it is difficult to distinguish the component fibres in either the yarn or the fabric.

Brocade

Rich, heavy, elaborate design effect. Sometimes with coloured or metallic threads making the design usually against a satin weave background.

Canvas

Mostly rugged, heavy material made from plied yarns. Has body and strength.

Chambray

Smooth, strong, closely woven, soft and has a slight lustre. Wears very well, easy to sew, and launders well. If not crease resistant, it wrinkles easily.

Chamois

Plain Characteristics Fabric is napped, sheared, and dyed to simulate chamois leather.

Chevron

Broken twill or herringbone weave giving a chevron effect, creating a design of wide vs across the width of the fabric. Also known as Herringbone.

Chino

Washes and wears extremely well with a minimum of care.

Comfort Wool Stretch

43% Wool 55% Polyester 2% Elastane. All the quality comfort features of wool combined with durability and stretch of polyester and elastane.

Cool Stretch

92% Polyester 8% Bamboo Charcoal. A comfortable easy care woven fabric with performance features such as quick moisture absorption, breathable, thermal regulation, bacteria resistance, removes odours and is crease resistant. Ideal for an active workplace.

Cordura

A high performance fabric resistant to abrasions, tears and scuffs

Corduroy

Corduroy has narrow medium and wide wales, also thick and thin or checkerboard patterns. Most of it is washable and wears very well. Has a soft lustre.

Cotton

Cotton, in general, is very elastic. It can withstand high temperatures, has high washability and is very susceptible to dyes.

Crepe

A fine often gauzelike fabric with a wrinkled surface. Has a crinkled, puckered surface or soft mossy finish. Comes in different weights and degrees of sheerness. Dull with a harsh dry feel. Woollen Crêpes are softer than worsted. If it is fine, it drapes well. Has very good wearing qualities. Has a very slimming effect.

Denim

Long wearing, it resists snags and tears.

Dobby

Geometric figures woven in a set pattern. Similar to, but more limited, more quickly woven, and cheaper than jacquards.

Doubleknit

A two faced cloth, either face may be utilised as the right side. Can be stabilised for shrinkage control and dry cleans satisfactorily.

Drill

A coarse twilled cotton or linen fabric.

Elastane

A synthetic fiber or fabric made from a polymer containing polyurethane, can be stretched over 500% without breaking, able to be stretched repetitively and still recover original length.

Elastomer

It is a synthetic rubber that can be stretched to at least three times its original length. Once the exerted pull force is released, this fibre returns to its original length.

Felt

A very compact fabric in various weights and thicknesses. Has grain so can be cut any way. Needs no hemming or finishing, because it does not fray.

Fill

The threads run widthwise across a piece of fabric.

Flannel

A kind of woven woollen fabric.

Flannelette

A napped cotton fabric imitating flannel. A heavy, soft material with a napped finish, usually only on one side. Launders well, easy to manipulate and is warm to wear.

Fleece

Has a deep, soft nap or pile, obtained by heavily napping with wire brushes or with a pile weave. This provides air space giving good insulating properties without too much weight.

Gabardine

Smooth durable twill-woven cloth esp. of worsted, spun rayon or cotton. Clear finish, tightly woven, firm, durable, rather lustrous. Wears extremely well.

Herringbone Twill

Usually created in wool and has varying qualities.

Houndstooth

Most commonly made with wool, weaved into an irregular check of a four pointed star.

Insect Protection Technology

Superior protection against insect bites, including mosquitoes, ticks, lice and bed bugs. Non-toxic to humans, safe and odourless protection for up to 100 washes. Contact repellent properties Complies with NATO Standards TL8305 Accepted by OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I-IV.

iSO-940

Designed to withstand the rigours of farming life & weekend recreation, all iSO-940 garments are 100% waterproof & breathable using the latest in outer fabrics to keep you dry & comfortable

Jacquard

A woven design made with the aid of a jacquard head and may range from vary from simple, self-colored, spot effects to elaborate, multicoloured all-over effects.

Jersey

Very elastic with good draping qualities. Has special crease-resistant qualities due to its construction.

Kashmir

Kashmir fibre is cylindrical, soft and silken. More like wool than any other hair fibre. Has a very soft silky finish; very light in weight. Doesnt stand up to hard wear on account of extremely soft downy finish.

Knitting

Process of making fabric by interlocking series of loops of one or more yarns.

Latex

Natural and synthetic fibres are made from this raw material.

Leather

The skin of an animal tanned or otherwise dressed for use.

Lycra

An elastic polyurethane fibre or fabric used especially for close-fitting sports clothing.

Melton

Thick well fulled or felted with a smooth surface. Napped and very closely sheared. Very solid cloth due to the finishing processes that completely conceal the weave. It wears very well. Wind resistant.

Merino

Merino fibre is long and strong, which increases a garments durability and ability to remain smooth and soft. The longer fibre also means it is less likely to pill. Merino is a renewable, natural product. It is hard wearing, yet biodegradable.

Microfibre

Very fine filaments. Produce light soft and breathable fabrics.

Micron

Wool fibre diameter is measured in microns, with one micron equal to one millionth of a metre. The Micro measurement of the wool will influence its end-use as the smaller the micron, the finer the wool and the more comfortable to wear against the skin.

Modal

A super soft fabric made from regenerated cellulose fibre it leaves garments soft, wrinkle resistant and comfortable. Offers natural moisture absorption and evaporation faster than cottons. Contains no toxic substances and the factory producing the fabric has been awarded the Eurpoean ECO Label.

Mohair

Fabric is smooth, glossy, and wiry. It is 2.5 times as strong as wool.

Moisture Movement

Means that the properties of the fabrics draw moisture away from the body, through the fabric of the garment and allows it to evaporate into the open air keeping you cooler and drier.

Moisture Wicking

Means that the properties of the fabrics draw moisture away from the body, through the fabric of the garment and allows it to evaporate into the open air keeping you cooler and drier.

Nylon

This manufactured fibre is very strong and is resistant to both abrasion and damage from many chemicals. It is elastic, easy to wash and is quite lustrous. It returns easily to its original shape and is non-absorbent. It is fast drying, resistant to some dyes, and resistant to moths and other insects, water, perspiration and standard dry-cleaning agents.

Oilcloth

Originally, textiles such as cotton were coated in oil to create resistance to moisture. Now, resins from plastics are used instead of oil.

Ottoman

A heavy silken fabric with a mixture of wool or cotton. Heavy in weight.

Oxford

Warp has two fine yarns which travel as one and also one heavier softly-spun bulky filling which gives it a basket-weave look. Launders very well but soils easily.

Pilling

Formation of fibre fuzz balls on a fabric surface by wear or friction.

Pinhead

A minute check effect caused by a combination of weave and colour. It has the appearance of tiny white dots appearing in rows, vertically, and horizontally. Holds a sharp crease, tailors and wears exceptionally well. In time, it is inclined to shine with wear.

Pique

A stiff ribbed cotton or other fabric. It is durable and launders well. Wrinkles unless given a wrinkle-free finish.

Polyester

An extremely resilient fibre that is smooth, crisp and particularly springy. Its shape is determined by heat and it is insensitive to moisture. It is lightweight, strong and resistant to creasing, shrinking, stretching, mildew and abrasion. It is readily washable and is not damaged by sunlight or weather and is resistant to moths and mildew.

Poplin

A plain-woven fabric, with a corded surface.

Rayon

This cellulose fibre is highly absorbent. Its drapability and dyeability are excellent and it is fairly soft. Rayon does have a tendency to shrink but does not melt in high temperatures. It is resistant to moths and is not affected by ordinary household bleaches and chemicals.

Sateen

Cotton fabric woven like satin with a glossy surface. Lustrous and smooth with the sheen in a filling direction.

Satin

A fabric of silk or various man-made fibres, with a glossy surface on one side produced by a twill weave with the weft-threads almost hidden.

Silk

It is soft and has a brilliant sheen. It is one of the finest textiles. It is also very strong and absorbent.

Spandex

It is an elastomeric fibre (a type of polyurethane) that can be stretched up to five times its original length without being damaged. It is lightweight and flexible. It resists deterioration from perspiration, detergent and body oils.

Spun Rayon

Simulated cotton or wool made with staple fibres in a continuous strand to give this effect. Wears well and is washable.

Sublimated

A process to apply designs to a polyester garment. At high temperatures the solid dyes in the print/design convert into a gas. These high temperatures also open the pores of the polyester garment and allow the gas to enter. When the garment is removed from the heat press, the temperature drops, the pores close and the gas reverts to a solid state. It has now become a part of the polyester.

Suede Leather

A woven fabric resembling suede.

Taffeta

Lustrous silk or rayon fabric of plain weave.

Technidairy

Designed specifcally to withstand the rigours of use by the New Zealand farmer including acids often encountered by the Dairy farmer

Technifleece

This anti-pill feece with its velvet like finish and feel gives you superior performance, appearance and unsurpassed comfort

Technifleece companion

This anti-pill feece with its velvet like finish and feel gives you superior performance, appearance and unsurpassed comfort

Techniflex

Designed specifcally to withstand the rigours of use by the New Zealand farmer and is New Zealands No.1 fexible waterproof range.

Terry Cloth

Very absorbent,Long wearing, easy to launder and requires no ironing.

Tweed

It is the Scotch name for twill, does not hold a crease very well.

Twill

A fabric so woven as to have a surface of diagonal parallel ridges.

UPF

Ultraviolet protection factor.

Velvet

A closely woven fabric of silk, cotton, etc. with a thick short pile on one side.

Viscose

Viscose fabrics have a silky to matte lustre with an elegant flowing drape. Viscose is supple and has a softness that is comfortable to wear. As they can absorb perspiration quite quickly, making them very skin-friendly, but with poor thermal properties.

Windtight

Windtight fabric is a sophisticated triple layer anti-pill construction designed to provide total wind protection, water resistance (excluding seams) and breathability

Wool

This fibre is made from the hair of various animals such as sheep. It is very resilient and resistant to wrinkling. It is renewed by moisture and well known for its warmth.

Wool Jersey

Very elastic with good draping qualities. Has special crease-resistant qualities due to its construction.

Yarns

In order to weave a fabric, the fibre or blend of fibres must first be made into a yarn. Yarns vary in size and shape, both of which have an effect on the appearance of the fabric.

COMMON BRANDING OPTIONS

What are the most common ways to brand your uniform? The type of branding recommended may vary depending on may things:

• Logo Size
• Colours
• Variations (eg. Names/Numbers or different coloured garments and fabrics)
• Future re-ordering requirements (eg. Print reset fees)
• Minimum order requirements

What will it look like?

Ask for a mock-up of your garments,  and confirm you are happy with the layout and colour choices for your selected uniforms.

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Artwork & Logos

To make the order process run smoothly and create the best possible branding, you may need to supply high quality digital copies of your logos and designs. Your supplier may require certain file types which can usually be arranged by your graphic designer. If you don't have any, there may be fees to get them setup or redrawn from any existing low quality images you have. These fees will be included in any embroidery digitizing setups, but may be extra for any screen printing or transfer requirements you have.

If you need help designing a logo, don't hesitate to ask your suppler.

Indented Uniforms

Most garments are readily available and stocked in New Zealand but they can also be custom made and ordered from overseas. These are usually called indent orders. Be aware that there are minimums and you usually can't just reorder 1 more when you run out. Indenting is a great way to get large orders of customised uniforms at great prices. Turn around times vary greatly, so time frames need to be discussed at the beginning of the order process.

Embroidery

Embroidery is the process of stitching through fabric to create a picture or design onto a garment or accessory. A specially designed digitized file is created from your requirements to tell the embroidery machines how to stitch onto the fabric. Pricing is based on the number of stitches in the logo and a quote can generally be given before proceeding. Embroidery is highly recommended for your uniform if you are likely to use the same logo again and/or want a classy presentation. Once set up your supplier will hold your specially digitized logo on file and you can reorder the exact same logo again without incurring more more setup costs. 

Printing

Screen printing is done by passing ink through a mesh frame that has been masked to show your design. This is extremely popular for logos that are limited in colours and tend to be for one off requirements. i.e Touch teams, Promotional events. Printing is generally inexpensive for large numbers, with only a small cost to reset screens if ordering the same uniforms again.

Transfers & Numbering

Fantastic for names and numbers on your uniforms. Basic transfers allow you to personalise your team without the setup costs. Some logo transfers will require a setup fee, especially if it is quite detailed with many colours. Numbers are usually priced per digit eg. 12 is two numbers. 

Sublimation

Sublimation is a way of taking a blank 100% polyester garment and applying a design and/or multicoloured print to it. At high temperatures the solid dyes in your design convert into a gas without ever becoming a liquid. This high temperature also opens the pores of the polyester and allows the gas to enter. When the item is removed from the heat press, the temperature drops, the pores close and the gas reverts to a solid state. It has now become a part of the polyester. 

Done correctly, it cannot be washed out or come off unless the actual fibres are damaged. Because its all done in one process, there are no bulky numbers or logos and the surface of the fabric is smooth to touch and importantly very comfortable against the skin. 

Share the Costs: There is a misunderstanding that it is an expensive process, however this is not the case if you utilise it correctly. On a standard sublimated garment you can add up to 3 multicoloured logos and a set of numbers without any extra cost. 

If you took a premade garment in standard colours and then set up and applied the same logos with normal printing or embroidery processes the cost could be similar. However with sublimation you get your own custom design and colours with a much more durable garment. 

Get funding and logos from three sponsors on your gear and it will help pay for your team set without any extra cost to you. 

What does it all cost?

The best way to work out pricing is to contact your supplier and ask them to quote on branding options to suit your requirements.

If you would like to get an idea of what it may cost, check out the uniformNZ Logos & Branding page for a quick guide to some of the most common branding options. You can follow the simple steps to give you a guide to pricing. Please note,  more cost effective branding options will be recommended if available.