What Is a Tech Pack?

And Why Do You Need It?

Definition:

A Tech Pack is a document which contains everything you could possibly need to know about your product. Essentially, this is your communication tool to send to the factory/manufacturer so they have a clear set of instructions on how to construct your product. This includes what materials and components are required, as well as detailed designs and specifications for them to follow. The more information you provide up front, the faster and less costly the process should be when going through the manufacturing process.

Why Do You Need A Tech Pack?

A Tech Pack is the most important document in the product development process. Without it, your manufacturers will not have sufficient information to create your product. Think of a Tech Pack as an instruction manual. In order to create the product you desire, you need to provide detailed instructions and information for the factory to create and execute your vision exactly as you intended. It reduces the chance of mistakes being made, improves communication and increases your chances of a smoother production process- especially if your factories are overseas where language, time difference and cultural differences are factors. In short, a tech pack gives you full control of your product.

What Does A Good Tech Pack Include?

First, let’s discuss the contents of a good Tech Pack. It goes without saying that like many things in life, Tech Packs vary in all shapes and sizes, not to mention their level of detail. As someone that has worked in the fashion industry for over 10 years, I have witnessed a variety of methods and templates used by some of the big name brands. Often it depends on the size of the brand itself, and the relationship they have with their factories. If a company owns their own factories they could work very differently to a label that doesn’t. Where the product is made can also have a huge effect on how you put together your Tech Pack, you may find that if you are working with a local factory you do not need to produce such detailed documents as you would for overseas.

The list below is a more detailed example of contents to ensure effortless communication with your manufacturers:

• Technical Drawings with construction notes: These are flat drawings showing the front and back views of your product as well as detailed close ups - such as pockets and collars. Key design call outs such as seams, stitch details, hem finishes, fabric manipulation and trims should be labelled here too. Some Tech Packs will also label every measurement on the sketch as well as in a chart.

• Reference photos/images: It can often be helpful to include inspirational images or garment reference images as a point of reference for your manufacturer.

• Garment Specs: In order for your factory to manufacture your product they must know the full garment specs. Giving as much info as possible here is crucial, especially if you do not have a pattern or sample to send with the Tech Pack. This is usually shown in the form of a chart.

• Materials: The factory will need to know fabric information in order to source and execute your sample exactly as required. This includes the fabric name, weight, composition, colourways, wash and finish.

• Components: Each component that is required to make your product must be included in your Tech Pack. This includes all trims, fastenings, elastics, labels, prints and embroideries (more details on this below).

• Required Sample Size: If your product is in the apparel category, decide on what size you would like your first samples to be in. Bear in mind this will be the size you fit on a fit model or yourself- depending on budget and means. This may also be the sample size you show to prospective buyers.

• Size Grading: Eventually your Tech Pack will need to include a size grading chart. This is usually one of the last stages before mass production when you have finalized your specs for your sample size. Size grading is when your sample size is graded up and down to the other sizes within your bulk order, eg XS, S, M, L, XL. If you are unable to do this yourself it is always recommended you enlist the help of a technical designer.

• Prints, Graphics & Embroideries: If your product includes any of these design features it is important you include the artwork, measurements and placements in your Tech Pack. EVEN BETTER if you can also include a CAD of the product showing this. You will most likely be sending the artworks as separate files to the factory too, but it is important to include a reference/image of these in the Tech Pack as they are a crucial element of your design.

• Sample and fit feedback for each received sample: When you receive your fit samples you will want to provide feedback to your manufacturer in order to improve or approve them. The best way to do this is to keep everything in one place and create a page/pages within your tech pack for your fit comments and fit photos, as well as any other feedback.

• All labels inc. Care label, swing tag, back neck label: Not everyone includes this information in their Tech Pack, but again it makes sense to keep everything in one document. This is beneficial for both you and the manufacturer. This way nothing gets lost in translation across multiple emails and documents. Include your label’s artworks, info and placement.

Common Mistakes

With a document as detailed and complex as a Tech Pack, it’s not surprising that many people make mistakes along the way. Often people underestimate how much time they take to create, and the level of information they can require especially for overseas factories. Here are a handful of common mistakes:

• Assuming you can do the bare minimum and the factory will ‘figure it out’: I can safely say the factories don’t usually just ‘figure it out’. And if they do it is rarely as you had imagined. You need to give them as much detail as possible in order to receive the product you desire. Remember, you’re potentially working with experts who’s first language is not English. They have also never seen your designs before and they can’t read your mind.

• Expecting the creation of a Tech Pack to be a ‘quick process’: So much information and level of detail goes into a good tech pack to ensure your vision comes to life. Therefore this is not a two minute job. Depending on the complexity of a product, a Tech Pack can take anything from 2 hours to 2 days.

• Thinking a qualified expert will knock a Tech Pack out for $15: News flash- if you are looking for a skilled expert to create your Tech Packs for you, you have to be willing to pay for their years of expertise and knowledge. As mentioned Tech Packs take time, so if you want a detailed, high quality document, it’s better to invest upfront and save money in the long run by avoiding mistakes and issues later down the line.

• Assuming once the Tech Pack is handed over ‘thats it’: A Tech Pack is a working document. This means you will constantly be revisiting it, updating it and revising it. This is not a ‘one and done’ document.

How Do I Create My Tech Packs?

The way you create your tech packs will depend on several variables. If you are already working for a brand, the chances are they will have their own template in place. Some companies even have their own online platforms they share directly with their factories. However if you are an entrepreneur launching your own label or a fashion student wanting to learn more, see below for my top tips!

• Microsoft Excel and Adobe Illustrator are the most common programs for creating your tech packs.

• Digital platforms like Google sheets are also an option and make sharing information with your manufacturer a lot more efficient (I personally prefer google sheets as it’s easy to edit and you can share it with others easily.)

• Find a template online or hire an expert to create your template.

• Make sure you have all the components that make up your tech pack ready to add to your pages. (You can use my list above as a checklist)

• Be prepared your tech pack could be several pages long- this is normal if it is detailed enough. Save as a PDF to reduce file size.

• Remember one garment = one tech pack. However if you have multiple colourways of the same design, these can go in the same tech pack. If you have the same block in multiple fabrics and prints these must all have their own individual tech pack to avoid confusion.

• The good news is if you repeat any styles in the future you can use the same tech pack and add the updated colours to the same document.

• Try to create a style name or number for each tech pack as it will be easier to reference when communicating with the factory.

• Once you’re done, send to the factory along with any physical samples/references you may have!

This article is part of the brand new Fashion and the Free learning platform F&F Education. Keep checking back for more articles like this and don’t forget to share with others who would also find this information useful.

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