Reference

Manufacturing glossary

Quick, plain-English definitions for the language you will see in briefs, quotes, and factory conversations. Click any term for more context.

13 terms defined

What a bill of materials (BOM) is in manufacturing, why it matters for quoting, and what to include when you …

What CAD files are in manufacturing, common formats brands send to UK factories, and how CAD relates to tooling and …

A plain-English overview of CE marking for products sold in the EU, how it differs from UKCA, and why brands …

What a first-off sample is in manufacturing, how it differs from a prototype, and how brands use it to approve …

What manufacturing lead time means, what affects it in UK sourcing, and how to compare quotes fairly across factories.

What minimum order quantity (MOQ) means in manufacturing, why factories set MOQs, and how brands can discuss MOQs with UK …

What an NDA does in manufacturing sourcing, what it does not do, and practical expectations when sharing designs with UK …

What an ODM is, how ODM differs from OEM and white-label, and what it means for IP and responsibilities when …

What OEM means in manufacturing, how it is used in sourcing conversations, and how OEM work differs from ODM.

What an RFQ is in manufacturing, what to include for useful quotes from UK factories, and how to compare responses …

What a tech pack is in apparel and soft goods, what goes into one, and why UK factories ask for …

What tooling means in manufacturing, how tooling costs affect unit economics, and what brands should clarify with UK factories.

What UKCA marking is for goods placed on the market in Great Britain, how it relates to UK product regulations, …

Know the language. Find the right partner.

Combinate connects brands with UK manufacturers. Better vocabulary means better briefs, better quotes, and better outcomes.

I need something made I make things