How do you use tech packs to optimize your production timeline and budget?

1 What is a tech pack?

A tech pack is an essential blueprint for your garment that contains all the necessary information to convert your design into a physical product. It usually includes several pages that detail different aspects of the product, such as a cover page with your brand name, style name, season, and contact information; a sketch of the garment with front and back views, and any other details or variations; a measurement chart with all the dimensions and tolerances for each size; a bill of materials (BOM) with a list of all fabrics, trims, and accessories required for the garment, along with their sources, quantities, and costs; a color card with Pantone codes or swatches of the colors to be used; a label and packaging page with specifications for hangtags, care labels, barcodes, and poly bags; a construction page with instructions for sewing and finishing the garment, as well as any special techniques or notes; and a quality control page with standards and criteria for inspecting and testing the garment.

2 Why do you need a tech pack?

A tech pack is a must-have for a successful production process. It enables you to communicate your design vision and expectations to your production team, whether they are in-house or overseas, and helps you avoid misunderstandings or errors. Additionally, it helps you save time and money by reducing the need for revisions, samples, or corrections. Furthermore, it helps maintain quality and consistency across different batches, sizes, and colors of your garment. Moreover, a tech pack can protect your intellectual property by preventing copying or counterfeiting of your design. Lastly, it helps keep track of your inventory and costs by providing accurate and detailed information about your materials and quantities.

3 How do you create a tech pack?

Creating a tech pack can be a daunting and time-consuming task, but it is worth the effort. When creating a tech pack for your garment, start with a sketch of your garment with front and back views, and add any details or variations that you would like to include. Measure your garment or use a size chart to create a measurement chart with all the dimensions and tolerances for each size. Source your fabrics, trims, and accessories from reliable suppliers and make sure to include samples or swatches of the materials you want to use in the tech pack. Select your colors and use Pantone codes or swatches to specify them in the tech pack; also test your colors on the actual fabrics and trims you will use and check them under different lighting conditions. Design labels and packaging that comply with any legal or regulatory requirements for your market and product category. Write clear, detailed instructions for sewing and finishing your garment with diagrams, photos, or videos to illustrate any special techniques or notes. Set quality control standards and criteria that define what is acceptable and unacceptable for your garment and how to measure and test it. Review the tech pack to make sure it is complete, accurate, and consistent; use a checklist to verify that all necessary information and documents are included. Finally, share the tech pack with your production team for feedback and confirmation; ensure they understand your design vision and expectations, as well as can follow your instructions.

4 How do you use a tech pack?

Using a tech pack is not just a one-time event, but an ongoing process that requires constant communication and collaboration with your production team. To use a tech pack effectively, reference it throughout the production process, from sourcing to shipping. It should also be used as a contract and a tool for negotiation with suppliers and manufacturers, such as agreeing on timelines, prices, quantities, and quality. Additionally, use it as a checklist and tool for monitoring and controlling your production, tracking progress, checking samples and prototypes, and conducting quality inspections and tests. Finally, use it as a record and tool for evaluation and improvement of your production; document any changes or issues that arise during production, analyze results and feedback, and identify areas for improvement.

5 How do you update a tech pack?

A tech pack is not a static document, but rather a dynamic one that may change or evolve during your production process. You may need to update your tech pack for various reasons, such as making changes to the design or specifications, encountering problems with materials or suppliers, or receiving feedback from customers. Whenever you update your tech pack, you should save it as a new version, highlight the changes and explain the reasons for them, notify your production team and share it with them, get their feedback and confirmation on the changes, and update your records and documents accordingly.