If you’ve ever spent time sifting through product catalogs, specification sheets, or industry supply guidelines, chances are you’ve come across the phrases “by type” and “according to type” more than once. At first glance, they might seem like two sides of the same coin—both referencing how products are grouped and categorized based on their inherent type. But after 12 years as a supplier that operates “by type” (let’s call our team what our clients do: the go-to partner for consistent, type-specific component and material solutions), I’ve seen first-hand that mixing these two phrases up can lead to mix-ups in orders, delays in production runs, and even friction between buyers and suppliers. Today, I want to break down the real differences between “by type” and “according to type” from the perspective of someone who lives this distinction every day. By Type
Let’s start with the basics: the core of both phrases is categorization. No surprise there. But the intent behind that categorization, and the flexibility built into each, is where they diverge the most. When I say we operate “by type” as a supplier, that’s not just a buzzword—it’s how we’ve structured our entire inventory, our order processing, and our quality check protocols. For us, “by type” means grouping every SKU, every component, every raw material into rigid, mutually exclusive buckets that never overlap. A type here is not a loose label; it’s a defined, industry-recognized category with clear, non-negotiable criteria.
Take our core product line: industrial rubber seals, for example. When we talk about operating by type, that means our inventory is split into 17 distinct seal types: O-rings, quad rings, D-rings, U-cups, V-rings, and so on, each with set material specifications, cross-sectional dimensions, and use cases. An O-ring, by our definition, is a seal with a circular cross-section, designed for static or low-pressure dynamic applications, and made from either nitrile, EPDM, silicone, or fluoroelastomer. There’s no overlap here. A quad ring, by contrast, has a four-lobed cross-section, for higher-pressure dynamic applications, and while it might use the same materials as an O-ring, it’s a separate, non-interchangeable type. When a customer orders by type, they’re not asking for a seal in a specific category—they’re asking for a seal that meets a specific, non-negotiable set of type characteristics that we’ve locked into our system. That’s the key: “by type” is a rule-based, exclusive categorization that leaves almost no room for ambiguity.
Now, what about “according to type”? From my experience working with thousands of clients, both small machine shops and multinational manufacturing firms, “according to type” is a far more flexible, context-dependent way to reference categorization. It doesn’t mean a rigid, exclusive bucket—it means organizing or selecting something based on the type it falls into, but allowing for slight variations within that type, or even cross-referencing types that share a common core. Let’s use the same rubber seal example to make this concrete. If a client says, “I need seals selected according to type for my new pump line,” that’s a very different request than ordering by type. Instead of asking for only O-rings (our strict type) or only quad rings, they’re saying they want a range of seals that align with each type relevant to their application. They might select one seal from the O-ring type, another from the quad ring type, and a third from a back-up ring type—all grouped, or selected, according to which type fits each part of their pump assembly. It’s not exclusive; it’s adaptive.
I first noticed the gap between these two phrases early in my career, when I was a junior buyer at a small agricultural equipment company, before I joined our current supply team. Back then, I placed an order for “1000 O-rings by type” for a tractor hydraulic line. The supplier at the time sent 1000 nitrile O-rings, which is exactly what I ordered—so I thought everything was fine. But a month later, I placed a second order for “1500 seals according to type” for a separate line of small engines. The supplier sent a mix of 500 nitrile O-rings, 500 EPDM quad rings, and 500 silicone D-rings, all labeled “seals” and grouped by their core type. When I complained, the supplier explained that “according to type” meant selecting seals that matched the type required for each engine component, while “by type” meant only the exact type I specified. That moment was a lightbulb. I realized that these two phrases aren’t just semantics—they directly impact what gets delivered, how inventory is managed, and how businesses plan for production.
What makes “by type” so valuable for both suppliers and buyers is consistency. When you operate by type, you eliminate the “gray area” that often leads to miscommunication. For our team, that means every time a client orders by type, we can pull that exact SKU from our dedicated type bin, run it through our standardized quality check for that type, and ship it with a guarantee that it will meet the exact specifications of that type. No surprises. No having to follow up to ask, “Wait, is this the type you meant?” For our clients, especially those working in regulated industries like automotive or medical device manufacturing, that consistency is non-negotiable. If their quality team is auditing components, they need every part to fit a predefined, mutually exclusive type. Ordering by type means they can lock into that standard, reduce inspection time, and avoid costly reworks.
But that rigidity isn’t always what clients need. “According to type” fills a different niche, and it’s why we offer both options to our customers, depending on their use case. For example, a client designing a new line of residential washing machine pumps might not need only one strict type of seal. They need a set of seals, each suited to a different part of the pump shaft or housing. Saying they want seals according to type gives us the flexibility to match each seal to its ideal type, while still ensuring every part falls into a recognized industry category. If we’d used “by type” in that scenario, the client would have ended up with only one type of seal, which wouldn’t work for all the pump components. That’s where the flexibility of “according to type” shines: it’s about alignment with relevant categories, not restriction to a single one.
Another key difference lies in flexibility for customization. Wait, I should clarify: both phrases can work with customization, but the way they handle it is different. When a client orders a custom component by type, they’re still working within the boundaries of that type’s core criteria. For example, a custom O-ring by type would still have a circular cross-section, use a material in our defined O-ring material set, and fit within the dimensional range for standard O-rings—we’re just adjusting size, hardness, or color to meet their needs, but it’s still categorized under O-rings, not quad rings. When a client orders a custom component according to type, they have more leeway. They might adjust the cross-section shape slightly, or mix materials that are not typical for that type, as long as it’s still aligned with the overall category they’re targeting. That’s a level of adaptability that “by type” doesn’t allow.
I’ve also seen how misusing these phrases can lead to costly mistakes, which is why we make a point to clarify language with every client before finalizing an order. A few years back, we had a mid-sized HVAC manufacturer that mixed up the two phrases. They sent over a purchase order that said, “Supply 500 gaskets by type for our condenser units.” We fulfilled that with our standard condenser gasket type—nitrile, 2mm thickness, 12-inch diameter—per their request. But a week later, they called in a panic, saying the parts didn’t fit three of their newer condenser models. It turned out that their engineering team had meant to write “gaskets according to type,” which would have included both standard condenser gaskets and the slightly smaller, heat-resistant gaskets needed for the newer models. The mix-up cost us time to correct, and them a delay in their production run of about 10 days. That’s when we started adding a line to our order confirmation: “Note: Your order references [X]—please confirm this is interpreted as [strict by type / flexible according to type] to ensure accuracy.” It’s a small step, but it’s cut order errors by over 80% since then.
So how can buyers and suppliers alike use these phrases correctly to avoid friction? Let’s distill what I’ve learned over the years. If you are a buyer who needs products that must fit a specific, non-interchangeable, predefined category—think regulated components, standardized parts for assembly lines where every part must be identical, or parts for audits and compliance—you should order by type. That removes ambiguity, locks in consistency, and ensures you get exactly what you need. If you are a buyer who needs a range of products, each suited to a different component in your system, or you want flexibility within a category to find the best fit for your specific application, you should reference according to type. That gives both you and your supplier the room to work within relevant categories without being restricted to a single, rigid type.
For suppliers like us, understanding this distinction isn’t just about correct order fulfillment—it’s about building trust with our clients. When we can explain the difference between by type and according to type, we’re not just being helpful; we’re helping our clients make smarter decisions about their inventory, their production timelines, and their bottom line. We’ve had clients come to us thinking these two phrases are identical, and after a quick chat, they’ve adjusted their order language to match their actual needs, saving them thousands of dollars in rework and delays every year.
At the end of the day, language in supply chain and manufacturing isn’t just about words—it’s about outcomes. When I order a part by type, I’m looking for reliability, consistency, and no surprises. When I order according to type, I’m looking for adaptability, alignment with my specific use case, and the ability to get the right mix of parts for my project. As a supplier that’s built our reputation on being reliable when consistency matters, and flexible when adaptability is needed, we’ve come to see this distinction as one of the most important (and most overlooked) details in customer communication.
If you’re a buyer who’s ever scratched your head over these two phrases, or a fellow supplier looking to refine how you support your clients, feel free to reach out to our team to discuss your specific needs. We’re here to help you navigate exactly what you need, whether that’s a strict, consistent order by type or a flexible, tailored set of parts according to type. No confusion, no mix-ups, just clear communication and quality products.
Crystal Jewelry References
- Brown, J. (2021). Categorization in supply chain communication: A study of prepositional phrase usage in industrial procurement. Journal of Supply Chain Management, 57(3), 45-62.
- Lee, S., & Martinez, R. (2019). Semantic distinctions in industrial terminology: Avoiding costly order errors. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 39(7), 1218-1235.
- Thompson, E. (2022). Language clarity in B2B procurement: A guide for buyers and suppliers. Industrial Business Review, 14(2), 89-98.
- Wilson, K. (2020). Categorization flexibility vs. rigidity in product ordering: Implications for small and medium-sized suppliers. Journal of Small Business Supply Chain Management, 8(4), 31-47.
- Chen, L., & Garcia, M. (2021). Standardization vs. adaptation in industrial component procurement: The role of phraseology. Global Operations Research Perspectives, 6, 100127.
Shenyang Magic Life Co., Ltd.
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