📝 NWCA Language Reference Card

Official Northwest Custom Apparel Communication Standards
Version 1.0 - Updated December 2025

📌Standard Abbreviations

Order & Business Terms

PO Purchase Order
BO Backorder
GC Gift Certificate
DTG Direct-to-Garment printing
EMB Embroidery
SP Screen Print

Placement Terms

LC Left Chest
RC Right Chest
FF Full Front
FB Full Back
LS Left Sleeve
RS Right Sleeve

Special Terms

WOW Hot Ticket - Priority/Rush order
Eds L&P Printing (Ed Lacey's shop)
Hot Ticket Priority order - needs immediate attention

✍️Standard Note Formats

Purchase Orders

✓ PO #12345 submitted to Sanmar
✗ PO sent

Customer Communication

✓ Called John Smith - order ready Friday 2/14
✗ Called customer

Waiting Status

✓ Waiting for artwork approval from customer
✗ Waiting

Backorders

✓ Customer OK with BO until 2/15
✗ Ok with BO

Attachments

✓ Customer logo file attached for approval
✗ See attached

Reorders

✓ Reorder 25 black hoodies from order #13000
✗ Reorder

Priority & Rush Orders

✓ WOW order - ship by Friday 2/14
✓ Hot Ticket - customer needs tomorrow
✓ RUSH - event date 2/20

Production Partners

✓ Drop at Eds for screen printing
✓ Sent to L&P Printing - 50 shirts
✓ Ed will pick up Monday

References & IDs

✓ Inksoft# 49074
✓ GC# A3GF-2FFE-J5F7-44K9
✓ Phone: (425) 555-1234

👕Production Terminology

Logo Specifications

White logo, 3" wide, left chest centered
2-color logo (PMS 286 & black), 10" full back
Embroidery with metallic gold thread

Standard Production Terms

Tear away Removable backing
Mockup Design preview
Proof Customer approval sample
Sample Test/display item

Size Abbreviations

XS
S
M
L
XL
2XL
3XL
4XL
5XL
OSFA

OSFA = One Size Fits All

🏢Vendors & Systems

Primary Vendors & Partners

Sanmar Primary apparel supplier
L&P/Eds L&P Printing (Ed Lacey) - Screen printing
Alpha Apparel supplier
Stahls Heat transfer supplier
SS Active SS Activewear supplier

Systems & Platforms

Inksoft Order management system
Shopworks Production system

Brand Codes

TNF The North Face
OGIO OGIO brand
Nike Nike brand

⚡ Quick Rules for Great Notes

✅ Always include WHO, WHAT, WHEN (if time-sensitive)
✅ Use order numbers when referencing past orders
✅ Specify sizes, colors, and quantities
✅ Keep notes under 20 words when possible
❌ No single-word notes
❌ No "see attached" without context
❌ No "same as last time" references
❌ No vague phrases like "check on this"

🔑Key Action Words

Communication

• Emailed
• Called
• Contacted
• Notified

Status

• Waiting
• Pending
• On hold
• Ready

Issues

• Missing
• Incorrect
• Damaged
• Error

Actions

• Approved
• Submitted
• Received
• Shipped

Print this card and keep it at your desk!

Questions? Ask Erik Mickelson or your supervisor

Last updated: December 2025 | Based on analysis of 9,711 actual NWCA notes