Custom Sock Industry Glossary

Manufacturing & Materials

Combed Cotton

Cotton fibers that have been mechanically straightened and freed of short fibers and impurities, producing a stronger, smoother yarn that is softer to the touch. Used in most premium sock blends. Read more »

Mercerized Cotton

Cotton treated with sodium hydroxide under tension to give the fiber a slight sheen, deeper dye uptake, and greater strength. Standard for premium dress and executive socks. Read more »

Bamboo Viscose

Regenerated cellulose fiber made from bamboo pulp. Naturally antibacterial, thermal-regulating, biodegradable; popular in eco and luxury socks. Read more »

Merino Wool

Fine, soft wool from Merino sheep. Excellent thermal regulation and odor resistance. Common in hiking and luxury cold-weather socks. Read more »

Recycled Polyester (rPET)

Polyester yarn made from recycled PET bottles, GRS certified. Reduces virgin plastic use; common in sustainable sock lines. Read more »

Spandex / Elastane

Synthetic stretch fiber (also called Lycra). Typical sock blends use 2-8% spandex for fit and recovery.

Jacquard Knitting

Knitting method where multiple yarns are knit simultaneously to create a pattern directly in the fabric, rather than applied after knitting. Most durable form of sock branding. Read more »

Intarsia Knitting

Decorative knit technique used to create blocks of color or images within the sock fabric. Common in fashion and novelty socks. Read more »

Terry Knit

Looped pile fabric construction that adds cushion. Used in the sole of athletic socks for impact absorption.

Plating

Knitting two yarns together so one shows on the face and the other on the back. Allows soft inner surface with durable outer.

Gauge

Needle density per inch on the knitting machine. Higher gauge equals finer, smoother fabric (200N typical for dress socks; 96-144N typical for athletic).

Dye Sublimation

Print method where ink is transferred to polyester fabric as a gas under heat, bonding permanently with the fibers. Standard for photo and face socks. Read more »

Silicone Grip Print

Liquid silicone applied through a stencil to the sole of a sock and heat-cured, creating a permanent non-slip pattern. Used for pilates, yoga, and hospital socks. Read more »

Seamless Toe

Hand-linked toe closure that eliminates the seam ridge, preventing blisters during long wear. Premium feature.

Y-Heel

Anatomical heel pocket construction that prevents the sock from slipping inside the shoe. Standard on quality athletic socks.

Quantity & Pricing

MOQ

Minimum Order Quantity. The smallest number of units a factory will produce per design/color combo. Modern Chinese sock factories accept MOQs from 50-300 pairs depending on technique. Read more »

FOB

Free On Board. The seller delivers goods on board the vessel at the named port; risk and freight cost transfer to the buyer at that point. Most common Incoterm for Chinese sock exports. Read more »

CIF

Cost, Insurance, and Freight. Seller pays freight and insurance to the destination port; buyer handles import customs. Read more »

DDP

Delivered Duty Paid. Seller delivers goods to the buyer's specified address with all duties, taxes, and freight prepaid. Highest cost, lowest hassle for first-time importers. Read more »

EXW

Ex Works. Buyer takes responsibility for the goods at the factory door. Lowest seller cost; buyer manages all freight and export paperwork.

T/T

Telegraphic Transfer (bank wire). Standard payment method for Chinese factory orders: typically 30% deposit, 70% balance against Bill of Lading copy.

L/C

Letter of Credit. Bank-guaranteed payment instrument used for larger orders ($30,000+). Adds security but slows transactions.

Pro Forma Invoice (PI)

Preliminary invoice issued before production confirming specs, prices, quantity, payment terms, and lead time. Countersigning the PI creates the binding contract.

Quality, Compliance & Certifications

OEKO-TEX Standard 100

Independent testing certification that verifies the textile is free from harmful substances. Required for EU and increasingly USA retail distribution. Read more »

BSCI

Business Social Compliance Initiative. Ethical sourcing audit covering working conditions, wages, child labor, and environmental impact. Required by most Fortune 500 procurement teams.

Sedex SMETA

Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit. Four-pillar ethical and environmental audit, alternative to BSCI.

ISO 9001

International standard for quality management systems. Baseline certification for serious manufacturing facilities.

GOTS

Global Organic Textile Standard. Certifies organic cotton (and other natural fibers) from seed to garment. Read more »

GRS

Global Recycled Standard. Certifies recycled material content and chain of custody. Read more »

REACH

EU regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. Mandatory for any textile product imported into the EU.

CPSIA

Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. USA law requiring testing and certification of childrens products (including kids socks) for lead, phthalates, and small parts. Read more »

AQL 2.5

Acceptable Quality Limit at 2.5% defect rate. The standard sampling level used by SGS, BV, Intertek, and TUV when inspecting bulk sock orders. Read more »

CPC (Childrens Product Certificate)

Required certificate accompanying USA-bound shipments of childrens products, citing CPSIA test reports.

Production Models & Business Terms

OEM

Original Equipment Manufacturer. The factory produces to the buyers complete designs and specifications. Buyer owns the design. Read more »

ODM

Original Design Manufacturer. The factory provides designs from its existing library that the buyer customizes (colors, logo). Faster and cheaper than OEM. Read more »

Private Label

Buyer brands a factory-developed product line as their own. Faster than OEM, more exclusive than ODM. Read more »

Tech Pack

Document specifying every production detail of a sock: dimensions, yarn composition, gauge, color callouts, logo placement, packaging. Industry standard input for OEM orders.

Trade Assurance

Alibaba escrow service that holds buyer funds until goods are confirmed received. Industry-standard buyer protection for first-time orders.

FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon)

Amazon program where sellers ship inventory to Amazon warehouses for storage, packing, and shipping. Sock factories produce FBA-ready packaging with FNSKU labels. Read more »

FNSKU

Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit. Amazon barcode label required on every unit shipped to FBA.

Canton Fair

China Import and Export Fair held twice yearly (April and October) in Guangzhou. Largest trade exhibition in China; Phase 3 covers textiles. Read more »