Glossary

Glossary A–Z

/.well-known/

/.well-known/ is a standardized URI prefix (RFC 5785) for site-level metadata files: security.txt (RFC 9116), apple-app-site-association, host-meta, openid-configuration. Search and security crawlers …

300 DPI

300 dots-per-inch (DPI) is the print-quality threshold for raster images. Below 300 DPI: visible pixelation in print. Above: no visible improvement. Logo files at 300+ DPI at final print size are requ…

AQL

Acceptable Quality Limit (AQL) is a statistical sampling-inspection standard. AQL 2.5 is the corporate merch baseline: for a 1000-unit run, 80 are inspected, with up to 5 minor + 3 major + 0 critical …

Bleed

Print bleed is the 3-5 mm extra graphic area extending beyond the trim line. Prevents white edges if cutting is slightly off. Standard for printed packaging, gift boxes, brochures. Files must include …

BSCI

Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) is a third-party social audit framework for supply chains. Audits cover labor rights, working hours, fair pay, no child/forced labor, occupational safety. …

CE

Conformité Européenne (CE) is the EU mandatory marking for products in 23 regulated categories (electronics, toys, PPE, medical). Requires technical file, EU Declaration of Conformity, harmonized stan…

Cloudflare Turnstile

Cloudflare Turnstile is a privacy-preserving CAPTCHA alternative. No tracking cookies, GDPR-compliant. We use Turnstile on contact forms across all 6 sister domains with shared sitekey.

CMR

Convention Relative au Contrat de Transport International de Marchandises par Route (CMR) is the international road-freight bill of lading. Required for cross-border truck transport in 50+ European/As…

CMYK

CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key=Black) is the 4-color process printing model. CMYK gamut is smaller than RGB or Pantone, can't reproduce ~30% of brand colors (especially metallics, neons). Used in DT…

DDP

Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) Incoterm: seller arranges delivery to buyer's door including all import duties, VAT, customs clearance. Highest seller responsibility, simplest for buyer. Premium pricing, bu…

Deboss/Emboss

Embossing presses paper/leather to create raised relief; debossing creates depressed relief. Both use a custom die. Adds tactile premium feel without color. Used on hardcover journals, leather portfol…

Delta-E

Delta-E (ΔE) is a numerical measure of color difference in the CIELAB color space. ΔE ≤ 1.0 is indistinguishable to the naked eye; ΔE ≤ 2.5 is the corporate branding standard; ΔE > 5.0 is a noticeable…

Die-cut

Die-cutting uses a metal die to cut paper/cardboard/leather/foam into custom shapes. Used for shaped business cards, custom packaging, cardholder cutouts, sticker shapes. Setup cost 80-300 EUR per die…

DTF

Direct-to-Film (DTF) is a hybrid method: digital printing on a special film + adhesive powder + heat press onto the product. Full CMYK+W gamut, material flexibility (cotton, synthetics, leather). Dura…

DTG

Direct-to-Garment (DTG) is digital printing directly onto a finished garment (t-shirt, hoodie). Suited for small runs with photo quality and full CMYK+W gamut. MOQ from 1 unit, but more expensive than…

Embroidery

Embroidery is a premium branding method using stitched thread on caps, polos, hoodies, jackets. 10+ year durability, 3D texture, signature corporate look. MOQ 25-50 units. Up to 12 thread colors per d…

ESMA

Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) issues conformity certifications for products imported into UAE. ECAS (Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme) covers electronics, low voltag…

EUR.1

EUR.1 / EUR-MED are customs certificates of origin for preferential treatment under EU/EFTA free trade agreements. They reduce or zero out import duties on goods. Required for merch export from non-EU…

Fairtrade

Fairtrade certification ensures producers in developing countries receive minimum guaranteed prices + Fairtrade Premium for community development. For corporate merch: cotton, coffee, cocoa products. …

FOB

Free On Board (FOB) Incoterm: seller delivers goods to a named port and loads on vessel. Buyer assumes risk + cost from that point. Most common for sea freight. Used by Asian factories shipping to EU/…

Foil Stamping

Foil stamping (hot stamping) presses metallic foil (gold, silver, copper, holographic) onto paper, leather, fabric using a heated metal die. Premium effect for invitations, packaging, journals. Setup …

FSC

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international standard for sustainable forestry. FSC 100% — fully from certified forests; FSC Mix — blend of certified + recycled + controlled; FSC Recycled — re…

GOTS

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certifies organic fiber content (≥70% organic) plus environmental + social criteria across the entire textile supply chain. Stricter than OEKO-TEX (covers fiber …

GRS

Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certifies recycled content in products (≥20% recycled). Covers chain-of-custody, environmental impact, social responsibility. Stricter than RCS (Recycled Claim Standard,…

Halal

Halal certification confirms a product complies with Islamic dietary and ethical law. For corporate merch, applies to leather (no pig-source), cosmetics, food/beverage gifts. Issued by national Halal …

hreflang

hreflang is an HTML attribute (or HTTP header) specifying the language and regional targeting of a page. Format: hreflang='en-US', 'ru', 'tr-TR'. Critical for multi-language sites — Google uses it to …

HS Code

Harmonized System (HS) Code is a 6-10 digit international product classification used for customs declarations and tariffs. Corporate merch HS codes: t-shirts 6109.10, mugs 6912.00, leather portfolios…

Incoterms

International Commercial Terms (Incoterms 2020) define buyer/seller responsibilities for shipping costs, customs, insurance, risk. Common: EXW (ex-works), FOB (free on board), CIF (cost+insurance+frei…

IndexNow

IndexNow is an open protocol (by Microsoft Bing + Yandex + Naver + Yep + Seznam) for instant URL submission to search engines. Replaces deprecated sitemap pings. We use IndexNow API to submit URL chan…

ISO 14001

ISO 14001 is the international standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS). Certified factories track water/energy/waste, set reduction targets, train staff, audit annually. Mandatory for many…

ISO 9001

ISO 9001 is the international standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS). Certified factories follow documented procedures for design control, supplier management, calibration, traceability, correc…

Lamination

Lamination is applying a thin plastic film (matte or gloss) to printed paper/card for protection and finish. Matte = sophisticated, fingerprint-resistant. Gloss = vibrant colors. Soft-touch lamination…

Laser Engraving

Laser engraving is a permanent branding method that ablates material to create a tonal etch. Used on metal, wood, leather, glass, anodized aluminum. No color (tonal only) but extreme durability — outl…

MOQ

MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) is the smallest production run a manufacturer accepts. Typical MOQs in corporate merch: 30 units for premium items, 50 for standard, 250+ for volume discounts. Smaller run…

OEKO-TEX 100

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is a global textile safety certification. Confirms absence of 1000+ harmful substances (pesticides, heavy metals, formaldehyde, nitrosamines) per ECHA SVHC + REACH. Required for …

Pad Printing

Pad printing (tampography) transfers ink from a silicone pad onto curved/uneven surfaces — pens, USB drives, sport bottles, electronics. Limited to small areas (~5x5 cm) and 1-3 colors. Setup cost low…

Pantone PMS

Pantone Matching System (PMS) is a globally recognized standard for precise color identification. Each color has a unique code (e.g., PMS 186 C). In corporate merch, Pantone ensures brand color consis…

PWA

Progressive Web App (PWA) is a web app installable to mobile/desktop home screen, with offline support, push notifications. Requires manifest.json + service worker. We deploy manifest.json on all 6 do…

REACH

Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) is the EU framework for chemical safety. SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) candidate list updated semi-annually. Requi…

RoHS

Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) is an EU directive (2011/65/EU) restricting 10 hazardous substances in electrical/electronic equipment: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBB, PBDE, DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIIBP.…

rPET

Recycled PET (rPET) is polyester yarn made from post-consumer plastic bottles. ~9 PET bottles → 1 t-shirt. Reduces virgin plastic use by 40-60%, but with similar durability. Common in eco-friendly tot…

Schema.org

Schema.org is a vocabulary for structured data on web pages, used by Google, Bing, Yandex, AI search (ChatGPT/Perplexity/Claude). JSON-LD format. We deploy: Product, Service, HowTo, FAQPage, LocalBusi…

Sedex

Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex) is an alternative to BSCI for ethical sourcing transparency. SMETA audit reports cover labor, health & safety, environment, business ethics. Many multinationals …

Silkscreen

Silkscreen (silk-screen, screen printing) is the most durable branding method for textiles and flat surfaces. Ink is forced through a stencil mesh onto the substrate. Best for 1-3 spot colors on cotto…

Spot Color

A spot color is a pre-mixed ink (Pantone PMS, etc.) applied as a single discrete color, vs. CMYK process printing. Spot colors give exact brand-color matching, especially for off-gamut colors (metalli…

Strike-off

Strike-off is a pre-production sample with the logo printed, made before serial production. Used for final approval of color, logo placement, material, and packaging. Lead time 2-4 working days. Cost …

Sublimation

Sublimation is digital printing where ink converts to gas and bonds with polyester fibers or polymer-coated surfaces. Photo-quality, full CMYK gamut, no color limit. Works only on white/light syntheti…

UV Print

UV printing uses ultraviolet-cured inks on hard surfaces (metal, ceramic, leather, glass, polycarbonate, plastic). Full CMYK+W gamut, photo-quality output, scratch-resistant. Suitable for power banks,…

Vector File

Vector files (AI, EPS, SVG, PDF) describe images as math (paths, shapes), unlike raster (JPG, PNG, pixels). Required for high-quality logo printing — vectors scale to any size without quality loss. We…

Vegan Leather

Vegan leather (PU, PVC, mushroom-based, cactus-based, recycled rubber) is animal-free leather alternative. Durability varies by source: PU 3-5 years, mushroom (mycelium) 5+ years, cactus (Desserto) 8+…