A tech pack is an informative sheet that designers create to communicate with a manufacturer all the necessary components needed to construct a product. Typically designers will include measurements, materials, colors, trim, hardware, grading, labels, tags, etc. Any crucial aspect of your design needs to be described in your tech pack. The more detailed a tech pack is, the less room there is for error.
Tech packs are a crucial part of the fashion industry. They are the ‘blueprints’ for your garment or accessory that are needed to bring your product from concept to creation. Creating tech packs is a necessary part of a fashion designer or technical designer’s job and is usually a skill that is requested when you are looking for a job in the industry.
Tech packs are used to communicate your designs effectively to the factories to make your design into a ‘1st sample’ (basically the 1st prototype of your garment). Fashion tech packs outline every element of the garment including the fabric, stitching, hardware, measurements, and more.
What is a Fashion Tech Pack?
Simply put, a Fashion Tech Pack or Spec pack, is an information package that, in the first instance, is sent out to factories to acquire pricing for making your samples.
Once you have selected your factory they will use the pack as a blueprint for your sample production, as it contains all the necessary components required to manufacture it.
With this essential tool to hand, and after your samples have been approved, you could move your production to any factory anywhere you want.
Features of a Tech Pack
You could use your Fashion Tech Pack as a resource document for purchasing materials and trims, and in future years you could refer to it and revisit a vintage design.
It also puts you in a position of financial security. If the factory chooses to ignore any of the information in the pack, and do their own thing, they will be at fault. If this should occur, you will be in a stronger position to ask for your money back or to seek legal aid.
The Fashion Tech Pack is the key to realizing your vision.
As you produce your products, you might consult with a machinist and pattern maker, and at times a technical designer. The information included in the Fashion Tech Pack will change and develop the following fit meetings and product development. Your Tech Pack notes will help the factory to produce accurate, well-fitted garments.
As the designer, you produce the Fashion Tech Pack – the more detail within means there is less room for error and inefficiency. It is completely under your control. You could think of it as your Product Bible. Let’s take a look at what’s inside.
What will you need to create a Tech Pack?
Technical drawings: A clean line drawing of the garment with a front and back view.
Reference materials: Magazine images referencing finishes and details that you would like on your products.
Samples of special finishes and techniques
Packaging information: How are the products to be packaged, i.e. in cellophane bags or boxes?
A Pattern: A professional pattern of the garment with all relevant information included on it. The factory sometimes offers a pattern-making service, or you will have to source a pattern cutter.
Sample Measurement Spec Sheet: This document is given to the factory if the pattern is to be made by them. Some factories will only use patterns made in-house. It must include the following:
SKETCH: front and backline drawing with the measurement details for the garment. Drawn by hand or computer.
MEASUREMENT CHART: This will contain the various size measurements of the required item.
Comments: Notes taken while reviewing a sample for approval. These should be included in the Fashion Tech Pack. Remember to include the dates. This way you can easily track changes that you have made and can share them with the factory.
Specification Sheet (commonly known as Spec): This is given to the factory when a sample is required or an order needs to be placed. It must be reissued whenever amendments are made to the garment. It must include the following:
SKETCH: front and backline drawing with the measurement details for the garment. Drawn by hand or computer.
MATERIAL DETAILS: Swatches, product code, fiber content, and supplier details.
MEASUREMENT CHART: This will contain the various size measurements of the required item. It will be used to check that the measurements are correct on the finished garment.
PRINT INSTRUCTIONS: Information regarding the type of print on the product and its placement.
EMBROIDERY INSTRUCTIONS: Pertaining to the type of embroidery, its size, and placement.
STITCH INSTRUCTIONS: In reference to stitch type, thread to be used, and stitch length.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS: In reference to washing finishes for items such as denim garments.
ACCESSORIES INSTRUCTIONS: Trim details – Fastenings required with product codes, fiber content, and supplier details.
LABEL INSTRUCTIONS: Placement details for brand logo labels and care labels.
COMMENTS SECTION: Used by the factory to make a note of anything related to product construction.
Denotes items that are very important when preparing a garment Tech Pack
What are the benefits of Spec Sheet?
There are many benefits of a Spec Sheet, and in my experience, it pays to do this properly.
Helps factories to save time in selecting/contacting suppliers of fabrics and trims.
Enables the costing process to be more efficient.
Can be used to create a pattern if made in the factory.
To provide PoMs (points of measure) to be used to check measurements against the finished garment.
Prevents mistakes from being made in the sampling process.
So, is the Fashion Tech Pack absolutely essential for successful communication and fashion design? Yes. Yes. YES!!!
You’ll have credibility with manufacturers, and have a clear overview of what you’re creating and how it’s developing. There are far too many variables for you to keep track of.
Remember, all of this information is needed for EACH product that you create. It’s obvious that you’ll need to work carefully and methodically to put it all together in a style that works for you, and you may even need to call in a few favors. The resources below will guide you in your efforts.
If you’re confused between a Fashion Tech pack and Specification sheet then just know that Spec sheet forms a part of Tech Pack. For a better understanding, read here.
Tech Pack Resources
The manufacturing side of the fashion industry can be a minefield to a novice designer. With so much information required in a Fashion Tech Pack, it’s probably a good idea to make tech your friend and embrace it wholeheartedly.
Cashflow
Some factories ask for deposits before commencing the project. Keep on top of things by using Paypal.
Compiling a Technical Package (otherwise known as a Fashion Tech Pack or SPEC Pack) for your design idea(s) will be the key to unlocking the door to that mysterious fashion world you want to enter. Without one, and as someone with no experience or knowledge of the industry, factories will not deal with you and you will face many problems.
For instance, you could assume that the factory can read your mind and understands your brand, vision, or style. That they can look at your drawings and listen to your descriptions and choose the correct sewing thread color, decide on the number of stitches used per inch, figure out pocket placement, and source your materials. That they can figure out the cost of your samples. But it doesn’t work like this. In reality, you will need to make all of the decisions related to how you would like your garment to look. Without this information, you’re likely to receive ill-fitting, badly made garments, and have to pay again to have them remade.
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