A trim card is a reference card displaying all trims for a garment - buttons, zippers, labels, thread - with supplier and color information for production.
What's on a Trim Card
- Physical trim samples - actual buttons, zipper pulls, and labels attached to the card
- Supplier details - vendor name, item numbers, and contact info
- Color references - matched against approved lab dips
- Placement references - which trim goes where on the garment
Trim Card vs BOM
The trim card is the physical, visual reference - you can see and touch exactly what was approved. The BOM (bill of materials) is the complete written list with quantities and costs. They work together: the card shows what, the BOM shows how much and from whom.
FAQs
- Who approves the trim card?
- The brand's designer or production team, before bulk ordering.
- Can trims change after approval?
- Only with written approval - unapproved substitutions are a common quality issue.
- Do I need trim cards for every style?
- Yes - each style's trims should be carded and approved.
Glossary: see the full fashion glossary for more apparel industry terms.