Name SKUs and Variants

Why SKU and Variant Naming Matters

SKU and variant names are the backbone of catalog operations.

Poor naming leads to:

• Confusion across teams

• Errors in listings and fulfillment

• Difficult reporting and analysis

• Broken integrations between systems

• Costly manual fixes at scale

A strong naming system creates clarity across design, sourcing, merchandising, and marketplaces.

How to Name SKUs and Variants

Step 1: Separate Style-Level and Variant-Level Information

Not all information belongs in every name.

Typically:

• Style-level: product type, collection, core identifier

• Variant-level: color, size, material, fit

Keep style identity stable and let variants carry changeable attributes.

Step 2: Define a Consistent Naming Structure

Choose a fixed order and stick to it.

A common structure:

• Brand / Category

• Style code or name

• Color

• Size
  n
  For example:

• TSH-ESS-001-BLK-M

Consistency matters more than the exact format.

Step 3: Use Standardized Attribute Values

Avoid free text.

Standardize:

• Color names (Black, Navy, Off White)

• Size systems (S–XL, numeric, regional)

• Fit terms (Slim, Regular, Oversized)

Controlled values reduce duplication and errors.

Step 4: Keep Names Human-Readable

SKU codes must work for systems, but names should still be readable.

Good naming:

• Is short but descriptive

• Avoids unnecessary symbols

• Is understandable without a legend

This helps operations and support teams.

Step 5: Plan for Scale and Future Variants

Naming should survive growth.

Plan for:

• New colors or sizes

• New regions

• Bundles or packs

• Product updates

Avoid hard-coding assumptions that will break later.

Common SKU Naming Mistakes

Avoid:

• Encoding too much logic into the SKU

• Using inconsistent abbreviations

• Reusing SKUs for different products

• Mixing internal and marketplace logic

• Renaming SKUs after launch

These issues compound as catalogs grow.

How Streamoid Helps with SKU and Variant Naming

Streamoid helps enforce clean naming across catalogs.

With Streamoid, you can:

• Define naming rules centrally

• Auto-generate SKU and variant names

• Validate naming consistency

• Sync names across systems and marketplaces

• Prevent duplicates and conflicts

Naming becomes a system, not a manual task.

Who This Is For

• Fashion and D2C brands

• Catalog and operations teams

• Merchandising teams

• Marketplace managers

• Data and IT teams

Next Steps

Build naming conventions that scale.

• Define your naming rules

• Standardize attribute values

• Automate SKU creation where possible