Glossary
Every POD and Dropshipping Term, Simply Explained
New to print on demand or dropshipping? This glossary covers every term you will come across — explained in plain language, no jargon.
33
Terms and growing
Showing 33 of 33 terms
A
B
C
C
Cash on Delivery
A payment method where the customer pays for the order at the time of delivery rather than at online checkout.
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C
Cut and Sew
A garment manufacturing method where fabric is cut into pattern pieces and sewn together from scratch to create a fully custom product.
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D
D
Digital Printing
A method where designs are transferred directly from a digital file onto fabric or material using a specialised printer, with no plates or screens needed.
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D
Dropshipping
A business model where you sell products online without holding any inventory — the supplier prints and ships directly to your customer.
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D
DTF Printing
Direct-to-Film printing transfers designs onto a coated film using textile inks, then heat-presses them onto fabric — works on almost any material.
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D
DTG Printing
Direct-to-Garment printing uses inkjet technology to print designs directly onto finished garments, ideal for detailed artwork and small runs.
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E
F
F
Fabric Printing
The process of applying designs or artwork onto textile materials to produce printed garments, patterned fabrics, and customised products.
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F
French Terry Fabric
A soft knit fabric with loops on the inner surface and a smooth outer face, commonly used in sweatshirts, hoodies, and casual apparel.
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F
Fulfillment House
A third-party facility that stores, packs, and ships orders on behalf of sellers, handling the entire post-purchase logistics process.
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I
L
L
Logo
A graphic symbol or wordmark that represents your brand and appears on your products, packaging, and marketing materials.
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L
Logistics
The end-to-end process of storing, packing, and delivering products — covering everything from inventory to last-mile shipping.
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L
Lycra Fabric
A highly stretchable synthetic fabric made from Lycra fibre, known for its ability to stretch and return to its original shape.
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M
M
Merchandise
Physical products created and sold under a brand or creator name, often used to build community and generate additional revenue.
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M
Minimum Order Quantity
The smallest number of units a supplier requires you to order in a single purchase, often relevant for bulk or custom manufacturing.
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O
O
Online Marketplace
A digital platform where multiple sellers list and sell products to buyers, such as Amazon, Flipkart, or Etsy.
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O
Order Fulfillment
The end-to-end process of receiving a customer order, producing or picking the item, packing it, and delivering it to the buyer.
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P
P
Polycotton Fabric
A blended fabric made from polyester and cotton fibres, combining the softness of cotton with the durability and wrinkle resistance of polyester.
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P
Product Mockup
A digital preview showing how a custom design looks on a product before it goes to print, used for listings and marketing.
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P
Profit Margin
The percentage of revenue that remains after all costs — including production, shipping, and platform fees — have been deducted.
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P
Puff Print
A printing technique that uses a heat-reactive puff additive in screen printing ink to create a raised, three-dimensional surface on fabric.
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R
R
Rayon Fabric
A lightweight, semi-synthetic fabric made from cellulose fibres, known for its smooth texture, breathability, and natural drape.
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R
Return to Origin
When an undelivered shipment is sent back to the seller or fulfillment centre, usually due to failed delivery attempts or customer refusal.
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S
S
Shipping Charges
The cost charged to move an order from the fulfillment centre to the customer's delivery address, based on weight, size, and distance.
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S
Shopify
A subscription-based SaaS eCommerce platform that lets you build, manage, and scale an online store without technical expertise.
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S
SKU
Stock Keeping Unit — a unique code assigned to each product variant to track inventory, orders, and fulfilment accurately.
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S
Supply Chain Management
The coordination of all activities involved in sourcing, producing, and delivering a product — from raw materials to the end customer.
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