Print-on-Demand
Glossary

A company that handles warehousing, order fulfillment, and shipping on behalf of ecommerce businesses. In the POD context, the POD supplier acts as a 3PL for custom-printed products.

A printing technique that covers the entire surface of a garment from seam to seam, using sublimation on polyester fabric. The garment is printed flat, then cut and sewn. Creates full-coverage designs with zero hand feel.

Extra design area beyond the trim/fold line that ensures no white edges appear after cutting. Standard bleed is 0.125" to 0.25" on all sides. Critical for AOP templates, sublimation products, and any print that extends to the edge.

Custom packaging that features the seller's brand instead of the POD supplier's. Includes options for: custom poly mailers, branded shipping boxes, custom packing slips, thank-you cards, branded tape, and custom inserts. A key white-label feature.

The degree to which a printed color matches the original digital design. Measured using Delta-E (ΔE) values. ΔE < 2 is considered imperceptible to the human eye. POD printers use ICC color profiles and calibration to maintain consistency. Pantone matching ensures brand color fidelity.

The process of dividing a full-color design into individual color channels for printing. In screen printing, each separated color becomes a separate screen. In DTG/DTF, separation is handled automatically by the RIP software.

A garment construction method where fabric is printed flat (before being cut into pattern pieces), then cut and sewn into the final garment. Used for AOP (all-over print) products. Results in fully customized garments with edge-to-edge printing.

The process of converting a raster or vector image into a stitch file (DST, PES, EMB) that an embroidery machine can read. Specifies stitch type, direction, density, and sequence for each area of the design. Typically takes 12-24 hours.

A printing method where designs are printed on PET film with CMYK + white inks, then heat-transferred to the garment using hot-melt adhesive powder. Works on virtually any fabric type. More versatile than DTG for mixed materials.

A digital printing method that uses modified inkjet technology to apply water-based textile inks directly onto fabric. Best for complex, multicolor designs on cotton. Produces soft prints with unlimited colors at no extra cost per color.

A screen printing technique that removes (discharges) the dye from a dark garment and replaces it with the desired color. Produces an extremely soft print with zero hand feel on dark fabrics. Only works on 100% cotton with reactive dyes.

A measure of print resolution. For garment printing, 300 DPI is the standard minimum for sharp, detailed output. Higher DPI (600+) is recommended for fine detail. AOP templates require 150-300 DPI due to their large physical size.

An ecommerce fulfillment model where the seller does not keep products in stock. When a customer orders, the seller forwards the order to a third-party supplier (like Yoycol) who ships the product directly to the customer. The seller never handles the physical product.

Tajima embroidery file format — the industry standard for commercial embroidery machines. Contains stitch coordinates, color changes, and machine instructions. Must be generated through digitizing software from source artwork.

A heat-based process where solid dye sublimates (turns to gas) and permanently bonds with polyester fibers or polymer-coated surfaces. The print becomes part of the material — zero hand feel, no cracking or peeling. Requires white/light polyester or coated substrates.

A decoration method where polyester or rayon thread is stitched into the fabric by automated multi-head machines. Produces a premium, raised, textured finish. Most durable decoration method — outlasts the garment. Limited to 12 colors per design.

A measurement of fabric weight/density. Higher GSM = thicker, heavier fabric. Standard t-shirt: 150-180 GSM. Premium heavyweight: 200-250 GSM. Hoodie fleece: 280-350 GSM. GSM affects print quality, feel, and garment durability.

The tactile texture of a print on fabric. DTG has minimal hand feel (ink bonds with fibers). DTF has a slight raised texture. Screen print has a noticeable film. Embroidery has a pronounced 3D raised texture. Sublimation/AOP have zero hand feel.

An umbrella term for print methods where designs are first applied to a carrier material (film, paper, vinyl) and then heat-pressed onto the garment. DTF, sublimation transfers, and heat transfer vinyl (HTV) are all forms of heat transfer.

The time from order placement to shipment. In POD, this includes file processing (0.5-1 day), production (2-5 days), and quality check (0.5 day). Total lead time typically ranges from 2-7 business days depending on technique and complexity.

A photorealistic preview of how a design will look on a finished product. Used for product listings, marketing, and client approval. Generated digitally using product photos with smart object layers or AI mockup generators.

The smallest number of units a supplier will produce per order. True print-on-demand has no MOQ (1 unit minimum). Screen printing typically has MOQ of 25-50 units to be cost-effective. Embroidery has no technical MOQ but setup costs favor 10+ units.

Automatic transfer of customer orders from your ecommerce platform (Shopify, Etsy, etc.) to the POD supplier's production system. Eliminates manual order entry. Includes order details, design files, shipping address, and product variants.

Pantone Matching System — a standardized color identification system used worldwide. Pantone codes (e.g., PMS 485 C = red) ensure consistent color reproduction across different print providers and techniques. Essential for brand color accuracy.

A liquid solution applied to dark garments before DTG printing. The pre-treatment creates a base layer that allows white ink to bond properly with the fabric. Required for DTG on dark fabrics. Not needed for DTF printing.

A business model where products are only manufactured after a customer places an order. The seller never holds inventory. The POD supplier handles production, quality control, packaging, and shipping directly to the end customer.

Similar to white label, but the seller has more control over product specifications, materials, and design. Private label products are often exclusive to the seller. In POD, this typically means custom fabric, garment construction, and branding.

The systematic process of inspecting products before shipping to ensure they meet specifications. Yoycol uses a 3-step QC process: print quality check (color, alignment, defects), garment inspection (stitching, sizing, fabric), and packaging verification.

RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is the color mode for screens/digital. CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) is the color mode for printing. Submit files in RGB — POD printers auto-convert to their ink system. Some vivid RGB colors cannot be reproduced in CMYK (gamut limitation).

Raster Image Processor — software that converts digital designs into print-ready instructions for DTG, DTF, or sublimation printers. Handles color management, ink channel separation, and print optimization.

The inner area of a design where all critical elements (text, logos) should be placed to avoid being cut off or distorted at seams/edges. Typically 0.5-0.75" from the trim/seam line.

A traditional printing method where ink is pushed through a mesh stencil (screen) onto the garment. Each color requires a separate screen. Produces the most opaque, vibrant prints. Most cost-effective for large orders (100+ units) with limited colors.

A formal agreement defining guaranteed service standards: production time, defect rate, shipping windows, and remediation procedures. B2B/enterprise accounts typically have custom SLAs with dedicated account managers and priority production.

How well a print maintains its appearance after repeated washing. Measured in number of wash cycles before noticeable fading. DTG: 50+, DTF: 60+, Screen Print: 100+, Sublimation: permanent, Embroidery: permanent. Proper care (cold wash, inside-out) extends life.

A manufacturing arrangement where products are produced by one company (Yoycol) but sold under another company's brand name. The manufacturer's identity is completely hidden from the end customer. Includes custom neck labels, packaging, and packing slips.

A layer of white ink printed beneath the colored inks on dark fabrics. Prevents the garment color from showing through and ensures color vibrancy. Required for DTG on dark garments. In DTF, the white layer is built into the transfer film.

Ordering custom-printed products in bulk at discounted rates for resale or distribution. Combines the customization of POD with the cost benefits of volume purchasing. Typical volume tiers: 25+ (10% off), 100+ (15% off), 500+ (25% off).